With a 48-8 win over St Michael's Prep the Avalon Lancers became League Champions for the third straight year and closed their season, both league and non league, with and 8 and 0 record.

The Avalon Lancers met the St. Michael's Pioneers at St. Michaels Abbey in Silverado, Orange County last Saturday and at defeated the Pioneers 48-8 and brought their season to a close with their 8th victory and no losses. 

Avalon won the toss and kicked off, Hernan Soto's kick was in the end zone and the Pioneers took possession on their own 14.  On their 4th down they punted which was blocked by Vince Viernes and the ball was recovered by Avalon in the Pioneer end zone for a Safety and the score was 2-0 Avalon.

After the Pioneer kick off Avalon took possession on their own 34 and QB Hernan Soto handed off to Brian Ramirez for 2 and then Jose Octavo for 20.  On the next series of downs the Lancers Soto handed off twice to Jose Octovo for a total of 30 yards and a TD, Soto's hand off to Brian Ramirez was good for the two extra points and the score was 10-0 Avalon.

The Pioneers took possession on their own 25 and on the first play Hernan Soto sacked their QB for a loss of 5.  After a successful Pioneer pass for 15 yards Brian Ramirez and Spencer Creigh stopped a run then Hernan Soto, Brett Hernandez, Vince Viernes stopped them for a loss of 5 and Kevin Hartley and Soto tackled their running back for a loss of 15 on 4th down.  Avalon lost the ball on an intercepted pass and the Pioneers regained possession.  Brett Hernandes and Mark Ramirez held them for a loss of 1 on first down, Spencer Creigh knocked down a Pioneer pass and on 4th down Brett Hernandez recovered a Pioneer fumble.  The Pioneers regained possession on the Lancer's incomplete pass on 4th down.  Mark Ramirez stopped them for an 8 yard loss, Spencer Creigh knocked down another pass and dropped their QB for a 2 yard losss.  On 4th down Kevin Hartley, Alex Padilla and Vince Viernes sacked the QB for a loss of 10.

Avalon took possession on the 31 and with Soto hand offs to Jose Octavo, Brian Ramirez, JD Laflin and again to Octavo who ran the ball into the end zone for a TD.  Soto on a keeper and the Wedge gained to 2 point extra and the score was 18-0 Avalon.

The Pioneers took possession on their own 22 and on their first play fumbled the ball in the end zone which was recovered by Avalon for a TD.  A hand off from Soto to Brian Ramirez was good for the two points and the score was 26-0 Avalon.

Hernan Soto's kick off was in the end zone and the Pioneers took possession on their own 15.  Mark Ramirez, Brian Ramirez stopped them on the first 3 downs and on 4th Brian pressured the QB and Vince Vierness intercepted their pass.  Avalon took possession on the Pioneer 15 and then on hand offs to Vince Viernes and Jose Octavo brought the ball within a half yard of the goal line.  Then on a double reverse from Hernan Soto to Brian Ramirez to Jose Octabo scored a TD and with a hand off from Soto to Brian Ramirez being good for the two points the score was 34-0 Avalon with 3:21 remaining in the first half.

The Pioneers were stopped on their next possession by Kevin Hartley, Vince Viernes, Mark Ramirez, Brett Hernandez and the Lancer's defensive line.  With :22 remaining in the half Avalon took possession on the Pioneer's 28 and Hernan Soto passed to Jose Octavo who scrambled for the end zone and the TD.  Avalon's pass was tipped and the point after failed and the score was 40-0 as the first half ended.

Coach Schrader again determined to give the JV players real time game experience and played JV players in various positions at various times throughout the second half and the acquitted themselves well and contributed to the win.

Avalon punted on 4th down in their first series.  The Avalon defensive line of Kevin Hartley, Alex Padilla, Vince Vierness ,Brett Hernandez and Alex Rhodes-Long  held the Pioneers to no gain and Spencer Creigh tipped another pass and the Pioneer's were forced to punt.  Avalon took the ball on the Pioneer 29 and Soto handed off to Octavo for 8 then to Octovo again on a sweep around the right side with Soto and JD Laflin laying down key blocks and Avalon scored again.  Soto's pass to Octavo was good for the extra points and the score was 48-0 Avalon as the 3rd quarter ended.

The game clock was left to run as the Pioneers took possession and Mark Ramirez, Rafael Olivera, JD Laflin, Alex Rhodes-Long and Spencer Creigh denied them and Avalon took possession on their own 32.  Hernan Soto passed off to Leo Garcia for 3; to Brian Ramirez for 14 and then 7 and again for 6 but failed to convert on their 3rd series and the Pioneers took possession on their own 4.  On their second down their running back went outside on the left and ran down the field for a Pioneer TD and with a good two points after the score was 48-8 Avalon as the game ended.

Coach Schrader met with the team on the field after the game and awarded Kevin Hartley Game MVP.

Come out and see the Avalon Lancers meet Montclair Prep of Van Nuys at the Field of Dreams on Catalina Island next Saturday at 1 p.m., November 15th for the First Round of the CIF Championship Games.  Support your League Champions!

- By David Creigh