Servite Battles to Turn Back Saddleback

Servite needed 27 consecutive points during the second and third quarters to pass and then hold off Saddleback, 33-24, in a Golden West League game Saturday at Santa Ana Stadium.

The Roadrunners opened the game with a 15-play, 80-yard drive. David Pedroza’s 14-yard run on first and goal at the 18 put the ball inside the five and Pedroza ran it in to give Saddleback a 7-0 lead.

Vince Reed fumbled on Servite’s first play on offense, setting up a 37-yard field goal and a 10-0 Saddleback lead.

Servite’s defense put the Friars on the board when Justin Veyna scooped up a fumble by Derrick Barnes and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown.

A penalty during a Servite punt allowed the Friars to keep the ball on its next possession. Quarterback Ryan Garko cashed in on a two-yard quarterback sneak for a 14-10 halftime lead.

Reed and Garko then had short touchdown runs early in the third quarter to put Servite ahead, 27-10.

But Saddleback answered with a 76-yard touchdown pass from Daniel Bermudez to Chad Watts that cut the lead to 10 points.

Another Servite fumble gave Saddleback possession at midfield and the Roadrunners scored on Bermudez’s 23-yard pass to Jeff Grivas.

Servite (4-4, 3-0) was able to put together an 11-play drive on its next possession, including a 23-yard reception by Reed on fourth and three at Saddleback’s 31.

Garko then scored for the third time on a quarterback sneak, giving Servite a nine-point lead with 9:05 remaining.