THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Cal Lutheran football exploded for 28-straight first-half points and never looked back, ending its season on a high note with a commanding 38-14 victory over La Verne during SCIAC Championship Week.
The Kingsmen (2-8, 2-6 SCIAC) struck on their opening drive with a 12-play, 80-yard march capped by QB Jaden Casey's 12-yard touchdown pass to RB Cam Davis. On their next possession, Casey connected with WR Cade Cadam wide-open down the sideline for a 48-yard touchdown.
In the second quarter, S Diego Serrano secured a tip-drill interception and took it all the way to the house for a 50-yard pick-six to put the Kingsmen up 21-0. The defense was relentless, forcing five turnovers and tallying six sacks on the day.
The defense forced four fumbles, with three of them coming as strip sacks courtesy of DL Anthony Gallego, S Drew Nees, and DL Hunter Hall. LB Arthur Orta forced a fumble and added three tackles. S Blake Hurley had a monster game with nine tackles and a sack while DL Max Juarez, DL Jackson White, DL Kilo Scanlan, and DL DJ Diaz posted half-sacks.
Casey and Cadam connected again before halftime for the Kingsmen's fourth consecutive touchdown, as Cadam beat his man for a 49-yard score.
The second half saw the Kingsmen maintain their grip on the game. K Daniel Burgos drilled a 32-yard field goal in the third quarter, and RB JD Sumlin sealed the win with a 24-yard touchdown run in the fourth. The Leopards (0-10, 0-8 SCIAC) managed one additional score, but the outcome was never in doubt.
Casey threw for 152 yards and three touchdowns on 9-15 passing. Like clockwork, Cadam recorded another 100+ yard receiving game with three catches for 109 yards. The SCIAC's leading receiver only got stronger as the season progressed, as he eclipsed the triple-digit receiving mark in each of the last five games. On the ground, RB Gabe Landless and Sumlin combined for 231 rushing yards, with Landless posting a game-high 134 yards.
The Kingsmen end their season on a high note and will look ahead to 2025.
