Asir Nembhard leads Mater Dei football past Orange Lutheran in thriller

Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now

Read more OCVarsity football wrap-up: Stories, scores, photos from the Week 9 games

SANTA ANA — The Trinity League’s football race received an added dose of drama courtesy of Mother Nature on Friday.

The showdown between Mater Dei and Orange Lutheran endured an hour and 39 minute delay because of lightning near Santa Ana Stadium.

Both teams excitedly took the field just past 8:30 p.m. to chase a few tantalizing rewards.

Running back Asir Nembhard and his offensive linemen made it worth the Monarchs’ wait.

The sophomore rushed for a single-game, school-record 349 yards and three touchdowns to lead Mater Dei past Orange Lutheran 52-38 in a back-and-forth game.

Linebacker Ezekiel Su’a and cornerback Isaiah Danns returned interceptions for touchdowns in the fourth quarter for Mater Dei (7-2, 3-1), ranked No. 2 in Orange County.

No. 3 Orange Lutheran (5-4, 2-2) charged to the end with wide receiver Chris Flores Jr. moving to quarterback to throw his second touchdown.

“It definitely was a wild game, especially at the end, on both sides of the ball,” Mater Dei senior offensive lineman Lex Mailangi said. “It was definitely worth the wait. We only get one opportunity with the guys (to play on Senior Night).”

Su’a snapped a 31-31 tie in the fourth quarter by returning an interception 26 yards for a touchdown with 4:07 left. The senior leaped to deflect the pass to himself.

After Mater Dei’s defense forced a quick punt, Nembhard broke a 59-yard touchdown run for a 45-31 lead with 2:57 remaining in the fourth.

On the carry, Nembhard surpassed Mike McNair’s single-game, school-record for rushing yards. McNair rushed for 324 yards in a 35-7 victory against Trabuco Hills in 1996.

Nembhard praised his offensive line of Damian Armenta, David Kauvaka, Valentino Letuli, Tanner Hoskins, Adam Foglesong and Mailangi. Tight end Jacob Campizta also supplied key blocks.

“I can’t thank them enough, man, my brothers,” said Nembhard, who also had 22 carries and scoring runs of 6 and 62 yards. “Every day at practice, we work it, getting the plays right, and today you saw it. The chemistry unmatched.”

Flores replaced an injured Reagan Toki at quarterback late in the fourth and tossed a 13-yard TD Raiden Velasquez to trim the Monarchs’ lead to 45-38 with 1:18 left.

The Lancers’ Matthew Zapien then recovered an onside kick but Danns sealed the win with an 86-yard interception return for a TD with 18 seconds left.

“We’re just happy we got to do this,” Orange Lutheran coach Ray Fenton said. “We just love football. We love going through opportunities like this. … Hey, it’s raining. It’s midnight. What an experience.”

With the win, Mater Dei stayed in contention for a share of the league title and maintained bragging rights against the Lancers.

Mater Dei extended its winning streak against Orange Lutheran to 16 games.

“We knew Orange Lutheran was going to be tough,” Mater Dei coach Raul Lara said. “This was a great game. If you’re a spectator, and you want to watch great high school football, this was a game to come and watch.”

Read more Rams’ defensive front shuffling ahead of Raiders matchup

Next week on Friday, Oct. 30, Mater Dei plays host to rival St. John Bosco (7-2, 3-1) at Santa Ana Stadium.

Orange Lutheran closes league by playing host to top-ranked Santa Margarita (9-0, 4-0) on the same day at Orange Coast College.

Santa Margarita clinched at least a share of the league title by defeating JSerra 36-12 on Friday.

Mater Dei took a 31-28 lead into the fourth quarter after the teams traded touchdowns in the third.

The Monarchs opened the second half with an eight-play, 80-yard scoring drive capped by a 6-yard touchdown run by freshman QB Paytyn Guess.

Orange Lutheran responded late in the third period with a 15-yard TD run by Toki. The scramble snapped a 21-0 run by Mater Dei and cut the Monarchs’ lead to 31-28.

The Lancers tied the score 31-31 early in the fourth quarter on a 40-yard field goal by Court Mercure.

The Monarchs’ strong finish to the first half proved to be critical.

Mater Dei erased an 11-point deficit in the final 2:05 to take a 24-21 at intermission.

Nembhard broke a 62-yard touchdown run with 1:10 left in the half as the Monarchs trimmed the Orange Lutheran advantage to 21-17.

After the Monarchs’ defense forced a punt and Mater Dei used to a timeout, Guess stepped up in the pocket to launch a 55-yard touchdown pass to Gavin Honore with nine seconds left in the half. The extra-point by Jerry Shifman gave Mater Dei a 24-21 lead.

Freshman @Ace_Guess_QB1 comes back to strike late, 9 sec left in half to @HonoreGavin 24-21 Mater Dei, wild game!! pic.twitter.com/sUxNsEqupE

— Dan Albano (@ocvarsityguy) October 24, 2026

Mater Dei’s surge answered a 40-yard interception return for a touchdown by Orange Lutheran cornerback Chauncey Washington. The Lancers led 21-10 with 2:05 left in the second quarter.

Washington’s pick-six play came moments after Orange Lutheran took its first lead. Toki threw a 10-yard TD pass to Nico Bland as the Lancers took a 14-10 advantage.

In the middle of the first quarter, Flores threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to tight end Hudson Ploog on a flea-flicker.

Flores, a senior, finished with nine catches for 118 yards and passed for 74 yards. “Incredible competitor,” Fenton said. “Chris hasn’t taken on rep at quarterback all year.”

Mater Dei’s first score — a 6-yard TD run by Nembhard — was set up a sack and force fumble by DJ Clanton.

The Monarchs’ defense also received a strong game from linemen Matamatagi Uiagalelei and safety Ace Leutele.

Read more Ducks finally solve Flyers to snap 5-game losing streak