Despite Holding Pattern, Servite Downs Saints

Servite put a grip on Santa Ana and never let go.

The Friars handed out the expected beating, 41-0, but also were nailed for 17 penalties, including nine for holding, during Saturday afternoon’s Golden West League game at Cal State Fullerton.

“Experience has taught me to look at film before I scream,” Servite Coach Larry Toner said.

The multiple infractions kept the game closer than it should have been. In addition to the holding penalties, six of which came during the 90-minute first half, Servite also was whistled for pass interference, clipping and too many men on the field.

But Toner seemed more unhappy with the lack of execution by his defense than his offense. He said his players didn’t adjust well to Santa Ana’s unique passing game, which features two wide receivers on either side with a slot back directly behind each receiver.

“I thought we were very sloppy and lucky,” Toner said. “[Santa Ana] threw the ball in the dirt when they could have easily completed passes that would have hurt us big time. We got confused a little bit.”

Santa Ana quarterback Lee Lopez threw 28 passes in the first half, but completed only eight. At one point he misfired on 15 of 16 attempts.

The Friars (3-4, 2-0), who have lost similar one-sided games against Santa Margarita (55-14) and Mater Dei (47-0), had six starters out with injuries. However, they did welcome back junior quarterback Ryan Garko, who had been out since the first game of the season when he broke two fingers on his throwing hand against Esperanza.

Servite scored on its first series when quarterback Dan Petropulos found wide receiver Matt DeLellis for a 29-yard touchdown.

Later in the first quarter, Vince Reed then had a two-yard touchdown run on fourth and goal.

After Petropulos and DeLellis connected on a 20-yard scoring pass, Servite scored a defensive touchdown when Lopez was hit as he threw on his goal line. The ball came down in the arms of lineman Jeff Jumpe, who scored.

Garko entered the game late in the second quarter and led Servite on a drive capped with his 21-yard touchdown pass to Jeff Arthur, giving Servite a 34-0 halftime lead.