FOOTBALL’88 : Miscues Mark Serra Loss to Pasadena, 9-0

Call it disappointing.

That’s how Serra High football Coach Joe Griffin described the Cavaliers’ 9-0 loss to Pasadena on Thursday night at Pasadena City College.

It wasn’t the loss that disturbed the first-year coach as much as the way Serra dropped its opener. A defensive breakdown on the second play of the game allowed Pasadena to score its only touchdown, then a costly error prevented the Cavaliers from jumping right back into the contest.

“I’m disappointed because we worked very hard but came out in the first half a little intimidated,” Griffin said. “Then we kind of yelled at (the players) at half-time, and we moved the ball pretty good in the second half. But it just wasn’t enough.”

Serra sputtered in the first half, moving backward for minus-10 yards in total offense and no first downs, while a clipping penalty nullified what would have been the game-tying touchdown.

Pasadena scored its touchdown when tailback Tahrell Miles ran 57 yards to the end zone with only 1:31 gone in the game. The point-after was blocked.

Serra stopped Pasadena on its next series and gained possession, only to give the ball right back on a fumble by tailback Chris Cabaong. Pasadena quarterback Kyle Washington passed on first down and fired the ball into the hands of Serra’s Lamont Butler, who returned it 85 yards for an apparent score. However, Serra was penalized for clipping and the ball was returned to the Cavalier 33.

Three plays later, Serra was forced to punt.

“That interception was very important,” said Griffin. “We talked all summer about clips and there was absolutely no need for that one because it was nowhere near the play.”

Pasadena mounted a 16-play, 64-yard drive that resulted in a 25-yard field goal by John McCoy midway through the second quarter.

Junior Fred Safford started at quarterback for Serra but was relieved by senior Glenn Baham in the second half. Baham, who was 2 for 5 for 63 yards, drove the Cavaliers to a first down at the Pasadena 20 but was intercepted by Chris Thomas at the 3 to end their best scoring threat of the night.

Tight end Jerome Williams caught 2 passes for 59 yards.