Friars closer to ending title-game drought

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

It’s been 12 years since Servite last played for a section championshp in football.

But the third-seeded Friars (9-2) are a step closer to ending that streak after defeating Esperanza, 10-7, in Pac-5 Division quarterfinal Friday. They will play second-seeded Crespi, a big winner over Mater Dei at Santa Ana Stadium, in one half of a Pac-5 semifinal doubleheader Friday at the Home Depot Center in Carson.

Not even the confrontation of an unruly fan with Cal State Fullerton stadium security could take away from Servite’s celebration.Sophomore Nick Echeverry’s 21-yard, game-winning field goal made up for four Servite fumbles that killed promising drives.

Esperanza (10-2) struggled most of the night to move the ball with any consistency against the Friars.

Can Servite finally get to a final? It won’t be easy. The Friars will have to get past the Celts, who hammered the Monarchs, who earlier flattened the Friars.

-- Mike Terry