Servite’s football team is off to a fine start.
The Friars are 2-0 and ranked No. 2 in the Orange County top 25. They have beaten Damien 42-6 and Orange Lutheran 69-13.
Servite’s next two opponents will be more challenging.
The Friars play St. John Bosco on Friday at St. John Bosco. The Braves, the CIF Southern Section Division 1 and CIF State Open Division champion last season, are 2-0 with wins of 42-21 over Sierra Canyon and 65-28 over Santa Margarita.
St. John Bosco is No. 1 in the CalHiSports.com state rankings.
The Friars then play Mater Dei on April 3 at Santa Ana Stadium. The Monarchs are ranked No. 2 in the state and No. 1 in Orange County.
Servite coach Troy Thomas understands the challenges ahead.
“These two teams have so many players and so much depth,” Thomas said. “It’s like college football depth. And then the pounding you take from the teams in those games. Santa Margarita (against St. John Bosco) played as hard as you can play and they coached hard, but their kids got beat up and tired.”
Although St. John Bosco might be without running back Rayshon Luke, who rushed for 110 yards against Santa Margarita and sustained a leg injury in the game, Thomas anticipates St. John Bosco will accrue plenty of yards and points.
The Friars, he said, must do the same.
“Our offense has to play really well,” Thomas said. “That’s going to be crucial for us if we’re going to be successful. Which defense plays better against the other offense, that might be the difference.”
Quarterback Noah Fifita and receiver Tetaiora McMillan have been the offensive stars for the Friars. Thomas said contributions come from many others and singled out the play of senior Deville Fata, who plays several positions, and junior Mason Graham, who is a two-way lineman.
NOTES
• Servite played at St. John Bosco last week in its win over Orange Lutheran. It was a Servite home game. The Friars’ upcoming home game against Mater Dei will be at Santa Ana Stadium, which is Mater Dei’s usual home field. Santa Margarita also uses Santa Ana Stadium as its home field this season. …
• The Mission Viejo at Upland game was moved from Friday to Saturday because of a shortage of officials in the Upland area. …
• Another big matchup this week is Edison at Los Alamitos on Friday in a Sunset League game that could decide the league championship. Edison has won its two games, 55-7 over Trabuco Hills and 47-14 against Newport Harbor in league. Los Alamitos beat Long Beach Millikan 59-0 then put together a dominating second half to defeat last season’s league champion Corona del Mar 52-28. …
• Cypress junior quarterback Dylan Eldrege threw for for 373 yards last week in a 45-17 win over Valencia to set the school-single game record for passing yardage. He was 14 for 21 with three touchdowns in the Empire League game. Centurions sophomore receiver Matthew Morrell had nine receptions for 264 yards and three touchdowns. …
• Laguna Hills sophomore running back Troy Leigber rushed for 224 yards on 17 carries, had five receptions for 76 yards, scored three touchdowns and had six tackles from his safety position in the Hawks’ 40-22 nonleague win over University. He is the younger brother of Mitch Leigber who as a junior last season was one of the county’s better all-around players, graduated early and now is at Stanford. …
• San Juan Hills junior receiver Braden Pegan (6-4, 200) last week had five receptions for 188 yards (38 yards a reception) and a touchdown in the Stallions’ 48-14 nonleague win over El Toro. San Juan Hills, No. 11 in the O.C. rankings, plays Friday at No. 14 Capistrano Valley, which gave No. 6 San Clemente a challenge in Capo’s 35-24 loss. …
• County teams in the CalHiSports.com state top 25 are Mater Dei (No. 2); Servite (No. 3); Mission Viejo (No. 5); San Clemente (No. 18); Los Alamitos (No. 20); and La Habra (No. 23).
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