PREP FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS / BIG FIVE CONFERENCE : Brown Rushes to Servite’s Aid in 31-7 Victory

Servite High School can thank a stifling defense and a sleek running back, Derek Brown, for helping it beat Huntington Beach, 31-7, in the opening round of the Big Five Conference football playoffs Friday night.

As a reward, the Friars (8-2-1) will play Crespi of Encino, the defending conference champion, in next week’s second round. Crespi has one of the state’s best running backs in junior Russell White, who rushed for 344 yards and 5 touchdowns in 28 carries in the Celts’ 38-32 victory over Riverside Poly Friday night.

Huntington Beach finishes its season 6-5.

The Friars’ defense intercepted five Huntington Beach passes and limited Jason McGehee, the county’s second-leading rusher, to 53 yards in 17 carries. It was only the second time this season that McGehee, who finished with 1,381 yards, was held to fewer than 100 yards.

The Friar offense, sputtered at times, but Brown broke loose often enough to gain 126 yards in 23 carries.

He got Servite started quickly by returning the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown. Not only was Brown untouched on his run, but no one came within 10 yards of him.

Brown added a three-yard score in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach as Servite led, 24-7, with 5:23 left.

“The defense did a super job,” Servite Coach Leo Hand said. “The last three weeks the defense has really been playing well.”

The defense was primarily responsible for giving the Friars’ a 14-7 halftime advantage.

Defensive back Brad Williams’ third interception of the half, stopped a Huntington Beach scoring threat at the Servite 12-yard line with less than two minutes to play. It also started the Friars on a late scoring march.

Brown’s 31-yard gain set up a 29-yard scoring pass from quarterback Jason Frank to Jason Rees, giving Servite its halftime lead.

The second half belonged to the Friars’ defense. Huntington Beach never so much as threatened to score. Servite pressured quarterback Chris Will, who was playing in place of starter Eric Pattinato. Pattinato was sidelined with an knee injury and did not return.

Will, a junior, took over early in the second quarter and scored the Oilers only touchdown on an 11-yard bootleg run with 5:21 left in the half.

Will provided most of the Oiler offense, completing 8 of 19 passes for 109 yards. Most of Will’s passes went to wide receiver Doug Cunningham, who had 6 catches for 88 yards.

However, Will had three passes intercepted.

“Chris Will did a great job coming off of the bench,” said George Pascoe, Huntington Beach coach.

Frank threw for 112 yards, completing 8 of 16 passes.