Anaheim Servite’s running game dictated tempo in the first half

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Anaheim Servite has a comfortable 31-0 halftime lead against Encino Crespi mainly because of the Friars’ running game.

Consider that 25 of Servite’s 35 plays were running plays. Its running game mostly featured Sean DeRosa, Christopher Nicholls and a few quarterback draws from Cody Fajardo.

Nicholls had six carries for 50 yards and two touchdowns. He also had a 76-yard kickoff return that eventually set up Nicholas Echeverry’s 27-yard field goal kick that gave Servite a 3-0 lead with 10:17 left in the first quarter.

DeRosa rushed for 78 yards off 11 carries. His seven-yard touchdown with 5:46 remaining in the second quarter gave the Friars a 10-0 lead following Echeverry’s extra point. A 48-yard run eventually set up Troy Niklas’ 11-yard touchdown pass from Fajardo. That made it 31-0 with 29 seconds left in the first half following Echeverry’s extra point.

--Mark Medina