Fontana’s Starks Offense Subdues Servite

One play epitomized the frustration felt all night by Coach Larry Toner and ninth-ranked Servite in the Friars’ home opener against Fontana.

Somehow trailing by only eight points with 9 minutes 31 seconds remaining in the game, the Friars’ defense stacked up Fontana’s Marquis Starks at the line on third and three. But Starks stayed on his feet and spun free for a 22-yard touchdown run, and the Steelers held on for a 34-19 nonleague victory Friday night at Cal State Fullerton.

Starks finished the game with 257 yards and four touchdowns in 33 carries for Fontana (2-0), but it was senior quarterback Scott Shepard who had Toner shaking his head.

“He showed all the poise of a three-year starter,” Toner said. “He’s well-coached and disciplined. And every time he needed to be on target, he was. Every blessed time.”

Shepard, who finished with 217 yards and a touchdown on 14-of-25 passing, was hottest in the first half, completing 10 of 14 passes as the teams traded touchdowns on six successive possessions for a 20-19 Fontana lead at halftime.

Starting the second half, Shepard was incomplete on three consecutive passes, but the Steelers pulled off a fake punt, snapping the ball to Starks for a 34-yard gain and first down. Shepard capped a nine-play drive with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Deondre Alexander and Fontana led, 27-19.

Servite quarterback Dan Petropulos misfired on his first four passing attempts to start the game, but then completed eight of nine, including a 60-yard touchdown pass to Adam Ernst.

Petropulos finished the game nine of 20 for 146 yards, and Ernst had seven receptions for 131 yards.

After Shepard’s fourth touchdown made gave Fontana the 34-19 lead, the Friars (0-2) could get no closer than their 49-yard line on four possessions as two interceptions and a fumble ended three of their drives.

Next Friday, Servite plays El Toro at Trabuco Hills High.