Calvary Chapel Gets in Gear, Zooms Past Ontario Christian

Cory Lange caught a 31-yard touchdown pass from Terry Mermer with 7 minutes 31 seconds to play Saturday, lifting Calvary Chapel to a 27-21 victory over Ontario Christian in an Olympic League game at Westminster High.

Calvary Chapel (6-2, 3-0 in league) rallied from a 21-0 halftime deficit. Mermer, a sophomore who passed for only 43 yards in the first half, finished with 273 yards and four touchdowns.

“I think we were still in the locker room in the first half,” Calvary Chapel Coach Jay Johnson said. “Terry is only a sophomore, but he’s a leader. He came back in the second half and threw a couple of first downs to really get his confidence back.”

Mermer’s first touchdown pass came with 9:41 left in the third quarter, a six-yard completion to senior wide receiver Blake West. After Nick Lindsey’s extra point, Calvary Chapel trailed, 21-7.

With 5:31 left in the third quarter, Mermer hit sophomore Andy Avila for a 49-yard score. Lindsey’s kick failed, and Calvary Chapel trailed, 21-13.

Mermer hit senior wide receiver P.J. Novak for a 19-yard touchdown to open the fourth quarter. The two connected again for a two-point conversion and a 21-21 tie.

Avila gained 88 yards in 16 carries and West had 10 catches for 62 yards and one touchdown for Calvary Chapel. Ontario Christian is 3-5, 0-3.