I was thoroughly impressed by the defensive effort by both OLu and Fountain Valley tonight.

The Barons defense found themselves defending bad field position all game. It was just too much to have to keep coming up with stops. OLu has too many skilled players on offense to keep them out of the end zone.

And OLu was able to put together methodical drives that consumed the clock.

OLu's defense was bigger, stronger and faster than the Barons offense. The Lancers keyed on Kyle Middlebrooks early and the speedy back was never able to develop a rhythm. Middlebrooks had 24 yards on nine carries for the game.

OLu didn't stack the line to stop Middlebrooks. They played FV straight up in their regular 3-4 defense.

With the Barons unable to develop a ground game, they were forced into passing situations and the Lancers teed off on them.

Another factor was OLu's domination of the time of possession. How could FV develop any rhythm when the Barons offense was rarely on the field?

This wasn't the first time the Lancers had faced a dangerous running back this season. Go back to Week 3 when the Lancers shut out Tustin in a 10-0 victory.

OLu held Tustin, which regulary gets 300-400 rushing yards per game, to 121 rushing yards. The Lancers limited Anthony Wilkerson to 46 yards.

OLu will face an even bigger challenge when it faces Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks next week in the quarterfinals. OLu will have to find a way to slow down junior QB Ryan Kasdorf. This kid has thrown for over 3,000 yards and 30 TDs and he has rushed for over 600 yards.

The Pac-5 is like one big, crazy minefield. You get through one and there are even more boobie traps and pitfalls awaiting in the next round.

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