Servite Keeps Fountain Valley in Line With 27-7 Win

Servite High School’s football team brought its new-found, big-play offense to Santa Ana Stadium Thursday night against Fountain Valley, and though the Friars’ offense really only excelled in the first half, it was more than enough to beat the Barons, 27-7, in front of 5,000.

Servite improved to 4-0. Fountain Valley is 2-2.

It’s not difficult to single out the game’s stars.

Sure, Servite quarterback Tim Rosenkranz had another fine game throwing for 227 yards in the first half and three touchdowns.

And yeah, Nick-John Haiduc caught 2 touchdown passes of 42 and 29 yards in the first quarter to help give Servite a 13-0 lead.

Also, you can’t overlook Jeff Fieldhouse who made a spectacular catch, leaping over Fountain Valley defensive back Dan Ramsey in the corner of the end zone with 18 seconds left in the first half.

All pretty good, but nothing compared to the Servite offensive line’s job of protecting Rosenkranz and opening holes.

The names are Joe Burt, Charles Stebbins, Mike Grabowski, Phillip Jacobson and Bill Burgeon.

For most of the game, but particularly in the first half, the linemen gave Rosenkranz ample time to throw.

It figures that any big-play offense of Friars’ Coach Leo Hand would especially depend on blocking. You see, Hand is not necessarily comfortable with this 50-yards-and-a-puff-of-smoke offense Rosenkranz & Co. use.

The day before the Fountain Valley game he had credited Bob Walker, offensive coordinator, with changing his offense from grind it out, to run it up. He also said the new offense required some adjustment on his part.

“At some of the places I coached before Servite, I didn’t even have wide receivers,” Hand said. “I didn’t get along with them. I just couldn’t relate to someone who didn’t hit. But I like the receivers I have here, they’re tough . . . love to hit.”

Servite’s receiver’s didn’t have to hit much Thursday, just run. Not only was Rosenkranz given time to throw, but Burt, Stebbins, Grabowski, Jacobson and Burgeon, allowed receivers to extend their routes.

No screen passes here. Rosenkranz rarely completed a pass of less than eight yards in the first half.