DIVISION II : Servite’s Defense Shuts Down El Dorado, 14-0

With 52 seconds remaining, Servite’s defense trudged onto the field one last time. It was more of a curtain call for the Friars.

For three more plays, Servite shut down El Dorado to put the finishing touches on a 14-0 victory over the Golden Hawks at Cal State Fullerton in the first round of the Southern Section Division II playoffs.

Behind the Friars were those five ugly turnovers, near disasters all of them. Ahead was a second round matchup against Pasadena Muir.

Yes, the Friars still had a future and for one reason.

“The defense came to the party tonight,” defensive end Eric Gunther said.

As it has all season.

“There is no question our defense has been a key part of our success,” Coach Larry Toner said. “It proved to be a very valuable weapon.”

Five times, Servite fumbled and five times El Dorado recovered. The Golden Hawks were literally handed the ball inside the Servite 35-yard line four times in the second quarter.

They came away with zilch.

The Friars finished with five sacks, three by lineman Jim Ahern. They also deflected two passes, and Ryan Smith intercepted another attempt.

In all, El Dorado (8-3) gained 82 yards and had a minus-2 rushing. But they still put the Friars to the test.

First, Servite’s Steve Correa fumbled on the 32. The Golden Hawks got to the 11 before Smith intercepted quarterback Jim Beck’s fourth-down pass.

On the next play, Ryan Popovich fumbled on the 30. El Dorado had to settle for a 37-yard field goal attempt by Alex Molnar, which sailed wide right.

Then, Elphamous Malbrue fumbled on the 30. After a one-yard loss, Ahern and Gunther each sacked Beck twice and the Golden Hawks had to punt.

Then it was Popovich’s turn again, giving the Golden Hawks the ball on the 24. Ahern ended that chance with a fourth-down sack.

At halftime, the Golden Hawks had 30 yards and seemed overwhelmed on one side of the ball.

“That’s the Servite way,” Gunther said. “When the offense is having problems, the defense takes over. It’s all discipline.”

What the offense lacked in discipline, it made up for with a couple of gambles. Servite had to play most of the game without Malbrue, its leading rusher, who suffered a minor concussion and was taken to the hospital.

But the Friars managed to get the big plays when they needed them.

The Friars appeared stopped on their first possession. But on fourth and 18, Eric Hannah tossed a 22-yard touchdown pass to Robert Prince.

In the third quarter, Hannah struck again. On third and nine, he hit a wide-open Steve Correa for a 71-yard touchdown pass. Hannah then hit Correa for the two-point conversion and a 14-0 lead.