Nationally-ranked Orange Lutheran (California) upset by Chandler (Arizona) football

No. 24 Orange Lutheran went to Arizona and took its first loss of the season, as Chandler picked up a statement win

Nationally-ranked Orange Lutheran (California) started the 2023 high school football season on a hot streak, but it came to a halt on the road against Chandler (Arizona).

Chandler won 35-10 on Friday to hand Orange Lutheran, which entered the game at No. 24 in the SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25 national rankings, its first loss of the season. 

Chandler was led to victory by standout performances from quarterback Blake Heffron and running back Ca'Lil Valentine, who each rushed for two touchdowns and a lockdown effort from the defense.

Orange Lutheran (3-1) jumped into the top 25 this week after beginning the season with impressive wins over California powers Serra and De La Salle, along with a 20-0 win over Eastside Catholic (Washington) last week.

The Lancers' time in the national top 25 is likely over for now, while Chandler could find itself ranked as soon as next week. The Wolves (3-0) entered the game outside the top 25 but were listed as one of 12 honorable mentions.

Chandler opened the year with blowout wins over in-state teams Cesar Chavez and Mountain Ridge. The Wolves will travel to Corona del Sol next week, and they have big games remaining later in the season against teams like Basha and Hamilton.

No team in the country will finish the regular season with a tougher pair of contests than Orange Lutheran, as the Lancers are scheduled to take on national No. 1 Mater Dei and No. 2 St. John Bosco in their final two games of the regular season.

(Feature photo by Dennis Lee)