Football: The Servite way
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One single play typifies why Anaheim Servite has risen to the top in Southern California football. It was the fumble recovery in the fourth quarter on Friday night that sent the Friars on to a tough 35-27 victory over Bellflower St. John Bosco.
As soon as the ball hit the ground, it looked like a bunch of Servite players were diving for a gold coin. They were relentless.
‘It was crazy,’ Coach Troy Thomas said.
Their all-out mission to recover the ball signifies the Servite difference that opponents must try to overcome.
‘It was great effort,’ Thomas said.
Servite isn’t as big, fast or as talented as some of its opponents, but the Friars are strong physically and they never make excuses when players go down with injuries. The opportunity to beat them this season may be passing, because standout running back Charlie Etiaki is set to return on Friday against Santa Ana Mater Dei.
He suffered a broken collarbone early in the season but has practiced without hitting the last two weeks, and he’ll join what now looks like an imposing trio of running backs with Andrew Moore and Mana Pauu.
Yes, teams will get close to the Friars and make them sweat, but to beat them, you have to figure out a way to outhustle and outwork them, and that’s tough.
-- Eric Sondheimer