No. 3 Servite’s defense stands tall again in 16-9 win over No. 16 Edison

If defense wins championships, Anaheim Servite is displaying the talent and toughness to make a run at a second consecutive Pac-5 Division title.

With quick, instinctive linebackers Butch Pauu and Matthew Inman leading the way, the No. 3-ranked Friars improved to 4-0 on Friday night with a 16-9 victory over No. 16 Huntington Beach Edison at Cerritos College.

Running back Sean DeRosa rushed for 151 yards in 22 carries, and kicker Connor Loftus made field goals from 52, 40 and 30 yards.

Even though Edison (3-1) scored a touchdown at the start of the fourth quarter on a fumble recovery in the end zone by lineman Kyle Finney to cut its deficit to seven points, the Chargers never came close to moving the ball into scoring position again.

Starting quarterback Chase Favreau didn’t play in the second half because of an ankle injury, and the Friars came up with interceptions by Pauu and Karlton Dennis, the last of which by Dennis with 4:30 left sealed the victory.

“We’re young and inexperienced, and it’s tough to move the ball on a great defense,” Edison Coach Dave White said. “They’re fast, physical and very well coached. All that makes a great defense.”

Servite showed signs of offensive potential behind an effective offensive line and punishing running from DeRosa and Jherremya Leuta-Douyere, who had a six-yard touchdown run on the game’s opening series. There’s no consensus All-American roaming the field on defense for the Friars, just a bunch of smart, athletic players who don’t give up big plays and who know how to rise up at key moments in a drive.

In an era when teams try to confuse opponents by having three receivers on one side, receivers in motion or sending the quarterback on an option play, Servite players seem to adjust no matter the formation.

And they haven’t lost since a regular-season defeat to Edison last season, putting together a 16-game win streak.

“We came in cocky and big-headed when we lost,” Pauu said. “It brought us back to earth. It was a great lesson for all of us.”

The first half was a highlight tape for kickers. Loftus made field goals from 52 and 40 yards. Edison’s Gavin Perdomo made a 43-yard field goal and landed a punt inside the five-yard line. Servite led, 13-3.

As impressive as Servite has looked through four games, it’s in the weight room during the week when the real action takes place. Players go nonstop trying to keep pace with Coach Troy Thomas, who at 41 thinks he can keep up with teenagers.

This week, Thomas picked up and threw a medicine ball 10 consecutive times on the ground, then 10 times against a wall. He was feeling a little sick, occasionally coughing, but he was determined to send a message to his players.

“If I can be an example to these guys at 41, then there’s no reason these 16- and 17-year-olds can’t do it,” he said.

For a team to beat the Friars this season, duplicating their intensity on defense will be a must.

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com