Servite Tosses a Shutout : High schools: Friar defense stops Valencia’s running game, while Elphamous Malbrue runs wild in 14-0 victory.

FULLERTON — There were only two drives and two scores. But that was all Servite needed.

Elphamous Malbrue rushed for 137 yards and scored the only two touchdowns of the game as Servite defeated Valencia, 14-0, in a nonleague game Friday night at Cal State Fullerton.

Malbrue scored on a six-yard catch in the second quarter and added a five-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter for the Friars (1-0-1).

Servite’s defense did the rest, holding Valencia’s explosive offense to 155 yards.

The Friars shut down Valencia running backs Chris Draft and Ace Riggins. Draft, who had 187 yards in the Tigers’ 38-21 victory over Villa Park last week, had only 67 yards against Servite, including 10 in the second half. Riggins had 10 yards in six carries.

Servite also pressured Valencia quarterback Rob Petko, who completed only 7 of 18 passes for 62 yards and two interceptions.

A.J. Gass intercepted Petko early on the first possession of the third quarter, and Ryan Smith had the other interception with 11 seconds left in the game.

“Great defense is where it’s at,” Servite Coach Larry Toner said afterward.

Malbrue agreed.

“Our defense was awesome,” he said. “They were crushing people out there. They were shutting people down every time. Once we get it all together, we’re going to be unstoppable.”

At times Friday night, Malbrue appeared unstoppable.

He carried 27 times and averaged more than five yards a carry in his second 100-yard rushing game of the season. He ran for 114 yards in the Friars’ 0-0 tie with Mater Dei last week.

Servite got its first touchdown of the season by going almost exclusively to Malbrue late in the second quarter.

Malbrue carried six times for 47 yards, including a 29-yard gain on the second play of the drive. He capped an eight-play, 53-yard drive by catching a six-yard touchdown pass from Eric Hannah with 1:19 remaining.

Valencia, the defending Southern Section Division VI champion, crossed midfield only twice in the second half. The Tigers had only 63 yards total offense in the second half.

The Friars had excellent field position in the second half, starting drives at Valencia’s 47-yard line, 38 and 48.