First-Half Surge Keys Servite Win

Third-ranked Servite scored 28 points in a 6-minute 43-second span in the first half and held on for a 35-19 nonleague victory over 10th-ranked Irvine at Cal State Fullerton on Friday.

Servite is 2-0 and Irvine is 1-1.

After punting on their first possession of the game, the Friars scored on their next three possessions. Servite quarterback Greg Cicero was able to start despite suffering a sprained ligament in his throwing hand. Cicero was injured last week against Esperanza.

“I knew I would play on Wednesday,” Cicero said. “It hurt bad but not enough to not play. The trainers did a real good job on it.”

Cicero completed a pass to wide receiver Stephen Ward for a 45-yard touchdown for Servite’s first score.

Irvine’s Jake Savona fumbled the ensuing kickoff and three plays later, Servite running back Vince Reed scored on an 11-yard run to give Servite a 14-0 lead.

Servite wide receiver Chris Bystedt then caught a 15-yard touchdown from Cicero and Danny Rubalcava broke free for a 47-yard touchdown run to cap the Friars’ second-quarter scoring.

“We started to take control and when we get on a roll, it’s hard to stop us,” Cicero said.

Cicero finished the game with 145 yards. Reed carried the ball 21 times for 127 yards rushing.

Irvine quarterback Jared Flint threw for 227 yards in the losing effort.

Irvine made things interesting in the second half, scoring two touchdowns, including a 47-yard run by Al Williams to make the score 28-13.

But Cicero finished off the Vaqueros with a 30-yard touchdown throw to Ward with 6:34 left in the game.