Farley Runs and Finally Bats as Mater Dei Hangs On to Win

Mater Dei, top-ranked in Orange County and the Southern Section Division I, couldn’t worry about posting a fourth consecutive shutout Friday against unranked Irvine.

The Monarchs were happy just to escape with a victory.

James Farley rushed for 130 yards and scored two touchdowns to help Mater Dei squeak out a 35-30 victory at Santa Ana Stadium. And Farley secured the victory in the final minute, batting away a pass from Irvine’s Ryan Brucker at the Mater Dei five with 45 seconds remaining.

“We thought they would play 14 miles over their heads,” Mater Dei Coach Bruce Rollinson said. “And they did.”

Irvine (2-2) rolled up 398 yards of total offense against Mater Dei (4-0), doing most of its damage in the air.

Receiver/running back Jake Savona frustrated Mater Dei, catching 11 passes for 198 yards and three touchdowns. He also was effective on special teams, finishing with 256 all-purpose yards.

Irvine quarterback Jared Flint completed 18 of 25 passes for 312 yards and three touchdowns against a defense that hadn’t allowed a point this season.

Irvine struck quickly, scoring less than four minutes into the game when Flint and Savona connected on a quick slant pass for a 68-yard touchdown.

Irvine led, 7-0, with 8 minutes 9 seconds remaining in the first quarter but Mater Dei answered when Farley scored on a 50-yard draw play 43 seconds later.

After Irvine drove 55 yards on its next possession to take a 14-7 lead, Farley scooped up a Stremick fumble and raced 47 yards for a touchdown to make it 14-14 with 3:19 left in the quarter.

Mater Dei’s own aerial tandem of quarterback Nick Stremick (13 of 19 passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns) and receiver Rod Perry (eight receptions, 132 yards and two touchdowns) kept the Monarchs comfortably ahead until the final quarter.

Perry’s 37-yard touchdown reception pushed Mater Dei ahead, 35-23, with 7:46 remaining. But Irvine cut the lead to five points on Flint’s 11-yard touchdown pass to Savona with 5:17 remaining.

Irvine’s defense made a stand to give the Vaqueros one last chance. Irvine moved to the Mater Dei 19 before Farley made his play to end the drive.