Friars Show They Belong Among Elite

If there are any more questions about Servite being a legitimate top-10 team, Friday night’s game at Long Beach Wilson answered the question--at least offensively.

The No. 8 Friars routed Wilson, 50-18, racking up 529 yards in the process. However, Servite’s defense gave up 456 yards, including 314 yards passing, but forced five turnovers and scored two touchdowns.

“I like to see my team play well, and I think they did so in many respects,” Servite Coach Larry Toner said. “The defense caused some big turnovers, and it’s unusual that a defense scores twice, so I like that.”

Servite (4-0) opened the game with a little trickery. Michael Ahern hit David Pastorello with a halfback-option pass for 36 yards to the Wilson 44-yard line. Four plays later, Lamar Mason went through the Bruin defense for a 21-yard touchdown run and a quick 7-0 lead.

A minute later, Wilson’s Leandre Atkins fumbled, and linebacker Doug Middleton picked up the loose ball and went in from 22 yards out for another score.

“I just saw a lot of daylight,” said Middleton, who finished with two fumble recoveries and an interception.

Wilson punted on its next possession, and Servite took advantage again, this time on a 62-yard touchdown pass from Adam Ernst to Mason which gave the Friars a 21-0 lead with slightly more than three minutes left in the first quarter.

Servite led, 36-12, at halftime. The Friars scored two quick touchdowns to open the second half, a 76-yard interception return by Daniel Kause and a 75-yard run by Mason to make it 50-12 with seven minutes remaining in the third quarter.