Column: Youth is served as Khalil Tate leads Serra past Loyola

In an era in which parents are allowing their sons to repeat a grade in the name of being more mature for high school sports competition, Khalil Tate of Gardena Serra is proud to be the rarest of the rare — a top quarterback who’s actually young for his grade.

“I’m one of the youngest out there,” said Tate, a 16-year-old senior who doesn’t turn 17 until Oct. 23. “It’s weird. I understand you want that advantage for college, but it affects your life. You don’t live the way you’re supposed to live because you’re older than everybody.”

“Holdbacks” is the trend, particularly at quarterback. Maybe Tate’s success will reverse the idea of needing to be a year older than everyone else.

On Friday night in a Mission League opener, Tate rushed for 166 yards in 26 carries and scored two touchdowns while passing for another in leading No. 8-ranked Serra (4-1, 1-0) past No. 16 Los Angeles Loyola, 35-17.

In his last two games, the Arizona-bound Tate has scored eight touchdowns. Serra’s defense shut out the Cubs (4-1, 0-1) in the second half, forcing four punts and containing junior running back Drake Beasley, who had 180 yards rushing but only 24 yards in the second half.

Suddenly, being younger than other seniors is making the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Tate look pretty good. College recruiters are happy.

“They said that’s good because you have room to grow,” he said. “The doctor said I’m supposed to be 6-4. I’m waiting patiently and I’m still growing.”

Serra got off to a terrific start against the Cubs, taking advantage of two interceptions and a fumbled snap to take a 20-0 lead in the first quarter. Tate had a 73-yard touchdown run on the third play of the game. Tyler Hall returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown and added a 28-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter

Loyola closed to 27-17 at halftime behind Beasley, who rushed for 156 yards and scored touchdowns on runs of 31 and 20 yards.

But Loyola could never break through in the second half. Serra sacked quarterback Sean O’Malley four times.

The big question is what would have happened if Tate had been able to play against Corona Centennial this season? The Cavaliers lost, 52-13, with Tate sidelined because of an ejection the previous week when he retaliated after a late hit.

“I learned football can be taken from you as easy as it can be given to you at any moment,” Tate said.

The opening night of league play saw the three favorites all triumph. Mission Hills Alemany defeated Encino Crespi, 18-0, and La Puente Bishop Amat defeated Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, 56-7.

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com

Twitter: @LATSondheimer