Servite Defense Handles Barons

Ryan Schley and the Servite defense took center stage in the Friars’ 23-7 victory against Fountain Valley in a nonleague football game Friday at Huntington Beach High.

Sure, running back David Bedard scored two touchdowns and quarterback David Martin had two touchdown passes, but the Friar defense came within 43 seconds of a shutout.

Schley, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound senior, intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble and defensive tackle Trey Patterson sacked Fountain Valley quarterback Mitch Ryerson for a safety as Servite held the Barons to minus-one yard rushing in 24 attempts.

Fountain Valley’s only score came on a one-yard touchdown run by sophomore Andrew Medley with 43 seconds remaining, long after the Friars had put away the game.

“That’s a good team and they’re improving every week,” Fountain Valley Coach George Berg said. “We’re going to have to find a way to get better.”

Servite (2-2) got better as the game wore on.

Although Greg Cicero missed a 30-yard field-goal attempt on Servite’s first possession, Schley got the ball back for the Friars with a minute remaining in the first quarter.

Starting quarterback Chris Ponchak attempted a screen pass to Robert Alvarez, but Schley picked it off and returned the ball to the Fountain Valley 23. Three plays later, Servite’s Richard McDonald caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Martin to make the score 6-0.

Midway through the second quarter, Bedard took over, helping the Friars move 60 yards in seven plays for another touchdown.

Bedard gained all 60 yards on the drive, including a 41-yard reception from Martin.

Bedard carried the ball on the other six plays, capping the drive with a six-yard touchdown run with 4 minutes 59 seconds remaining in the second quarter. Bedard also caught a pass from Martin for the two-point conversion and a 14-0 lead.

Fountain Valley’s first chance came late in the second quarter, but David Watters intercepted a pass from Ponchak in the end zone with 18 seconds remaining in the half.

“I was very pleased with the effort of the defense tonight,” Servite Coach Larry Toner said. “The defense has had some injuries early, but we’ve been getting people back and we’re starting to put it all together.”

Servite’s defense forced three turnovers, had three sacks, and forced the Barons to turn over the ball on downs twice in the fourth quarter. Fountain Valley (1-3) had 167 yards passing, but the Baron quarterbacks completed only 11 of 32 passes.