HS FOOTBALL: Oaks loses opener to Bellevue, 31-21

It was an especially long night Saturday for Oaks Christian High.
In a football opener that did not finish until nearly midnight, the Lions lost 31-21 to Bellevue (Wash) at Mission Viejo High - the second year in a row Oaks Christian lost its first game.

A year ago, the Lions rebounded to win the Southern Section Northern Division championship. It's a new season, and the Lions have every intention of coming back once again.

"We played hard, but Bellevue did very well," Oaks Christian running back/defensive back Ishmael Adams said. "We just have to keep believing. We'll be back."

Oaks Christian's Luke Falk had a successful debut at quarterback. The junior transfer from Logan, Utah completed 24 of 43 passes for 262 yards and two touchdowns, and he scored on a 1-yard run, but the Lions managed just one touchdown in the second half and could not hold down Bellevue's tricky misdirection running attack.

Falk completed 13 of 23 passes in the first half for 183 yards and a touchdown to help the Lions to a 13-10 halftime lead.

But Oaks Christian allowed three touchdowns in the second half, and after falling behind by 10, the Lions never seriously threatened.