PREP EXTRA: SATURDAY FOOTBALL PULLOUT : Servite Takes Control Early, Wins

Quarterback Greg Cicero threw for 154 yards on four first-quarter completions as Servite took a quick seven-point lead en route to 42-21 victory over Saddleback in a Golden West League game Friday at Tustin High.

On the opening drive, Cicero hit Vince Reed with a screen pass, good for 27 yards, and followed with a 59-yard touchdown strike to Stephen Ward to give the Friars a 7-0 lead.

Saddleback (2-5-1, 1-1-1) countered with a 67-yard scoring drive, capped when Jose Zermano made finger-tip catch of a 10-yard touchdown pass from Daniel Rodriguez.

Cicero had two more long passes on Servite’s second drive, one for 23 yards to Jason Cantor and 45 to Reed before scoring himself from 10 yards to give Servite a 14-7 lead with 1 minute 22 seconds left in the first quarter.

“He played on the freshman team and he suited up on the varsity but didn’t see any action last year,” Servite Coach Larry Toner said. “This year he is learning as he goes.”

Cicero completed 10 of 19 passes for 206 yards, with all but the last completion in he first half as Servite built a 28-7 lead.

Reed scored both second-quarter touchdowns for Servite from one and two yards.

Servite (6-2, 1-1-1) used a little trickery to take a 35-7 lead in the third quarter. Reed took the snap from punt formation and slipped the ball between Damien Salerno’s legs. Salero ran 54 yards for the touchdown.

Saddleback scored with 4:06 left in the third quarter when Gonzalez hit Rodriguez with a two-yard touchdown pass.

John Hoefer scored the final Servite touchdown when he recovered a fumble by teammate Vince Melendez in the end zone. Saddleback completed the scoring on a 20-yard touchdown from Rodriguez to Gomez.