Last year we played Basha and lost 30–24. I was a freshman playing varsity at Orange Lutheran, and I remembered that game when I saw Basha back on our schedule this season. A year later, I came into the matchup as a sophomore, wearing #78 and playing right tackle. We had another opportunity against them, and this time we wanted a different result.

We got it. Orange Lutheran 23, Basha 17.

For me, this game was about more than getting another highlight video. It was another opportunity to compete against a really good football team, get varsity reps against college-recruited players and help Orange Lutheran get a big win.

You can follow my complete football journey, recruiting updates, highlights and Torta Power story at MarioLunaFootball.com .

Basha Came to California as One of the Top Teams in the Country

This wasn't just another game on our schedule. Basha came into the matchup ranked No. 1 in Arizona and No. 12 nationally by MaxPreps. We knew they had talent on both sides of the football and that their defense included players who already had college commitments and Division I recruiting attention.

That's the type of competition I want.

I'm still a Class of 2029 sophomore, so every opportunity I get to line up against older and highly recruited players gives me another chance to compete, learn and put meaningful varsity film together.

You can read the independent game story from the Los Angeles Times: Orange Lutheran defeats Arizona's top team .

Going Against College-Recruited Defenders

One of the things that makes this game valuable for my film is the level of competition I was facing. My Basha highlights include multiple reps against Caleb Jordan, a defensive end and EDGE who is committed to Nevada.

I also had reps involving Marc Duerson III, a linebacker committed to Northern Arizona, along with Basha defenders Trae Kole, Landen Wade, Anthony Rodriguez and Barry Adams.

I respect every player I line up against. Stars, offers and commitments are important because they give people watching the film context about the level of competition, but once the ball is snapped, none of that can make the block for me or make the tackle for them.

At that point, it's football.

I have an assignment, the defender has his assignment, and we compete.

Watch Mario Luna “Torta Power” #78 vs. Basha

Here are my sophomore highlights from Orange Lutheran's win over Basha. The video isolates me at right tackle and shows several of the matchups from the game against Basha's defensive front.

I don't need to say that I dominated somebody because of a few highlights. I'd rather put the film out there and let coaches, players and football people watch the reps and make their own evaluation.

If you want to see more of my game film, varsity highlights, offensive line clips, training and Torta Power football content, visit my official Mario Luna Football YouTube channel .

What My Basha Film Shows

My film from this game includes different kinds of offensive line reps. There are physical run-blocking plays, pass-protection reps, blocks in space and plays where I have to move to the second level and find another defender.

I'm around 6'2" and 295 pounds, but I don't want my game to be only about being big or strong. I want my film to show that I can move, protect the quarterback, run block, play physical, work in space and handle different assignments.

Every rep is another opportunity to show what I can do against good competition.

Playing Right Tackle, Guard and Center

Right now I'm playing right tackle, but I also play guard and have experience at center. I like being able to play different positions because every position teaches me something different about offensive line football.

At tackle, I get opportunities to work in space against athletic EDGE players. At guard, the game gets physical quickly inside. At center, there are additional responsibilities before the block even begins.

Wherever my coaches need me, I want to be able to line up and do my job.

You can find me as #78 on Orange Lutheran's varsity roster through Orange Lutheran Athletics .

Our Offensive Line Gets Recognition

One thing that meant a lot after the Basha game was seeing the offensive line get recognition. Offensive linemen don't get rushing yards, receiving yards or touchdowns next to our names. Usually, if we're doing our job, somebody else gets to make the highlight.

That's part of playing offensive line, and I love it.

When our running backs are getting through the line and our quarterback has time, the guys up front know we're contributing. Everybody likes seeing a pancake, especially when your nickname is Torta Power, but offensive line is about much more than putting somebody on the ground.

Sometimes winning a rep means moving a defender out of the running lane. Sometimes it's sealing somebody away from the football. Sometimes it's keeping an EDGE away from your quarterback. Sometimes it's getting to the second level and finding a linebacker.

Whatever the assignment is, the goal is to help the team win.

Ryan Christianson and the Orange Lutheran Running Game

Our running game was a big part of the win. Sophomore running back Ryan Christianson carried the ball 31 times and had a big night on the ground with a touchdown.

As an offensive lineman, that's one of the best things to see.

When your running back gets through the line and starts picking up yards, you know the guys up front are doing something right. The running back gets the yards in the box score, but everything starts with the offensive line trying to create somewhere for him to run.

A Complete Orange Lutheran Team Win

Our defense was huge too. King Rich Johnson had a pick-six that changed the energy of the game, and our defense continued making plays against a talented Basha offense.

That's why I don't look at this as one player's win.

It wasn't an offensive line win.

It wasn't just a defensive win.

It was an Orange Lutheran win.

You can also find the game recap and results through MaxPreps' Orange Lutheran vs. Basha game recap .

Last Year We Lost. This Year We Changed the Result.

That's probably what makes this game mean the most to me.

2025: Basha 30 — Orange Lutheran 24
2026: Orange Lutheran 23 — Basha 17

I was there for both games.

Last season I was a freshman getting my first experience playing varsity football. I remember losing to Basha.

A year later, I got another opportunity.

Now I'm a sophomore getting meaningful varsity snaps at right tackle against nationally recognized programs and players who already have college commitments and Division I recruiting attention.

That's one of the reasons I appreciate playing the schedule we play at Orange Lutheran. I don't want easy competition. I want the opportunity to line up against good football players and see what happens.

From My Freshman Season to Sophomore Year

A lot can happen in one year.

My freshman season gave me the opportunity to experience varsity football early. Now I'm taking those experiences into my sophomore season and continuing to build my film.

If you want to see where the varsity journey started, check out my Torta Power freshman varsity highlights .

From Baja California, Mexico to Orange Lutheran Football

Sometimes I think about how far football has already taken me.

My roots are in Baja California, Mexico, and I'm proud of where I come from. Going from playing football in Mexico to competing for Orange Lutheran against some of the best high school football programs and players in the country is something I don't take for granted.

That's a big part of what Torta Power represents.

The nickname is fun. The tortas are part of it. The pancakes are definitely part of it.

But behind Torta Power is a lot of work that people don't always see: school, practices, film, weight room, training, traveling, good games, difficult games, wins and losses.

Then you wake up and do it again.

If you haven't heard the story behind the nickname, read What Is Torta Power? to learn more about my football journey, Mexican roots and the meaning behind the name.

My Journey to Orange Lutheran

My football journey didn't begin in Orange County. It started in Mexico, and every part of that journey helped shape the player I am becoming.

You can read more about how I got here in my Orange Lutheran football story .

Independent Media Coverage of My Journey

I'm thankful that people outside my own website and social media have also started following my journey.

The Los Angeles Times en Español told part of my story about going from Ensenada and Baja California to competing at Orange Lutheran.

You can read the original story from the Los Angeles Times en Español .

You can also read more about that recognition on MarioLunaFootball.com .

Recruiting and Football Profiles

I'm still early in my high school career, but I'm thankful for every opportunity and every person following my development.

Coaches, media and football fans can find additional information about me through my recruiting and player profiles:

• Mario Luna – MaxPreps
• Mario Luna – Rivals Recruiting Profile
• Mario Luna – Orange Lutheran Athletics
• 2029 California Rankings – Prep Redzone

The Film Is What Matters

Rankings are exciting. Offers are exciting. Media coverage is exciting. Social media is fun.

But eventually football comes back to the film.

That's why I would rather let people watch my Basha highlights than tell them what they should think about them.

The film shows #78.

It shows the defenders.

It shows the competition.

It shows the reps.

Coaches can evaluate the rest for themselves.

Watch More Torta Power Football

The Basha game is only one part of my football journey. You can watch more Orange Lutheran varsity highlights, offensive line film, training, camps and Torta Power football videos on my official YouTube channel.

▶ Watch Mario Luna “Torta Power” on YouTube

You can also watch Orange Lutheran game coverage and replays through the Orange Lutheran NFHS Network football page .

There Is Still More Work to Do

I'm proud that we beat a team like Basha. I'm proud of the way our offensive line competed. I'm thankful for every opportunity to get varsity film against good football players.

But I also know there is a lot more work to do.

I'm Class of 2029.

This is only my sophomore season.

There are a lot more practices, games, reps and challenges ahead.

Last year we played Basha and lost.

This year we got another opportunity.

And this time, we got the win.

Orange Lutheran 23 — Basha 17.

On to the next one.