Turnaround specialists

Seven weeks ago, the Edison High football team faced a crucial turning point in its season.

A devastating loss to Esperanza had the Chargers at a crossroads, wondering which direction they’d allow their season to take.

“We were kind of questioning ourselves with, ‘Where do we go from here,?’ and, ‘What do we want to make with the rest of our season,’ ” Edison star receiver/linebacker Hunter White said Monday, referring to the team meeting the Chargers held following that 38-0 loss to Esperanza.

“Instead of finger-pointing and laying blame here or there, we wanted to turn the season into something better than that loss. We challenged ourselves and now, here we are.”

Edison has won six consecutive games to earn a shot at Saturday’s CIF Southern Section Pac-5 Division championship.

Forget the finger-pointing. One more victory, and the Chargers can point those fingers skyward to signal that they are No. 1.

Sunset League co-champion Edison (11-2) will battle Trinity League co-champion Orange Lutheran (12-1) at 8:10 p.m. at the Home Depot Center in Carson.

Edison is looking to win its first section title since 1985 and fourth in school history.

Orange Lutheran last won a section title in 2004 (Division VI).

The winner of Saturday’s game becomes eligible for the 2006 CIF State Football Championship Bowl Games — the first state football championships — on Dec. 16, also at the Home Depot Center.

Southern California teams will be selected to play Northern California schools in three divisional championship bowl games.

The selection process to determine those teams will be held Sunday at the Home Depot Center.

Since being shutout by Esperanza on Oct. 20, the Edison offense has gone on to average just under 29 points per game. The Chargers defense has been outstanding since that setback, too. It’s held five of its last six opponents to a touchdown or less, including last week when Edison defeated Santa Margarita, 14-3, in a semifinal game at the Home Depot Center.

The Chargers have been considered underdogs in each of their past two games but rose to the occasion to defeat both Servite (for a second time this year) and Santa Margarita.

The Chargers beat Santa Margarita last week, despite turning the ball over five times.

They’ll be the underdog again Saturday against Orange Lutheran. It’s a role the team has come to relish.

“It’s kind of become our rallying cry,” said Edison Coach Dave White, whose Chargers will face their fourth Trinity League team this year.

Edison has defeated Servite twice, lost a close game to Mater Dei and last week turned back Santa Margarita.

Servite was the only team to defeat Orange Lutheran this year, and needed double overtime to beat the Lancers.

“We have been playing really well lately,” White said. “Our defense has been real solid as of late and our offense, up until last week, had been playing well by not turning the ball over.

“It’s going to take a supreme effort Saturday, which we are capable of, to beat Orange Lutheran. I honestly believe they have the best offense that we’ll face this year. Their triggerman Aaron Corp is outstanding and runs the option so well. He has two great receivers to throw to, a great offensive line and strong defense. They are the total package, they really are.”

Corp, who is headed to USC next year, spearheads the Lancers offense. One of his key receivers, Austin Pettis, committed this week to Boise State.

Coach Jim Kunau’s defense is led by end Michael Reardon.

Orange Lutheran advanced to Saturday’s title game by defeating Long Beach Poly, 23-22, in the other semifinal last week.

“I’m very proud of our effort against Long Beach Poly,” Kunau said. “We did a lot of things very well, but then had to hold on in the end.

“It’s going to take another big performance to get past a very talented Edison team. I have nothing but respect for their program.”

Yes, that Esperanza game seven weeks ago seems like a distant memory for the Chargers, although it has served as the main catalyst for their rise to the championship stage at the Home Depot Center.

“It’s been a great year and I’m looking forward to the next step in the journey,” Edison standout receiver/defensive back Dominique Vinson said. “It’s going to take an all-out effort and we have to leave it all on the field on Saturday. It’s going to be a great night and an awesome experience.”