Junipero Serra High School Football Report

Game 6 (Week 6)

 

Serra Travels to the West Hills to Face Chaminade for the Seasons First League Game.
 
Serra_Helmet_2011

Now We Know... 
by Pat Lynch '59 

     

Everything comes to an end. Serra's 28-20 loss to Chaminade Friday night was our first ever loss in the Mission league. It was our first loss in any league since losing to Harvard-Westlake 24-7 on October 27, 2006.

 

There were many ways that Serra could have won the Chaminade game. But there was one reason they lost. At 9:53 in the fourth quarter, trailing by just one, Serra had Chaminade pinned against its own goal line. The Cavalier defense, but for a few one-play lapses, had been in charge all night long. But something snapped at 9:53 in the fourth. The starch came out of the Cav defense. The Eagles simply bashed their way 98 yards to the lethal touchdown. Ten straight running plays: little or no deception, just smash ahead runs.

 

Up to that time, the Cavs had been in control. The Cavs went up 3-0 at 8:17 in the first. The Cav defense had the Eagles' number. At 4:58 in the first, Serra threw an out, thirty yards out, four yards down field. Chaminade picked it off going full speed with nothing but green in front. It was a miracle that Serra caught up and saved a touchdown. But it was only a three play reprieve. Chaminade managed the remaining six yards and went ahead 7-3 at 3:46.

 

On the first play after Chaminade's kickoff, Malik Roberson struggled through the Eagle line, turned on the afterburner and went sixty plus yards for a Serra touchdown. 10-7 Serra with 2:54 remaining in the first quarter.

 

After a little more dancing, Serra held the Eagles by an inch or two on a fake punt try at the Eagles own twenty-two. But Serra could not punch it in and had to settle for another field goal. Impressive kick, but disappointing given the starting position. Serra 13-Chaminade 7 and that's where it stood at half time.

 

Serra started the second half at its own 49 after a short kick. Serra scored in eight plays, overcoming a couple of misfires and making a key conversion on fourth down. 20-7 with 8:04 remaining in the third and Chaminade yet to make a sustained drive.

 

Chaminade moved to the Serra 23 in nine plays, helped by a facemask call against Serra, but again, Serra held the Eagles on a fourth and short.

 

On the next series, Greene, forced out of the pocket by an ever more effective Eagle pass rushed, threw something like a shovel pass as he was going out of bounds. There were three Eagles between him and his erstwhile receiver, and one of them snagged the ball, setting up Chaminade's second touchdown on an improvident Serra pass. The Serra defense made it tough, but the Eagles scored on a fourteen yard pass to a very open receiver at 2:02 of the third.

 

Serra's offense was still reeling from the turnover. Three pathetic plays, and it was fourth and fifteen. Top that with a short punt, setting up the Eagles on Serra's 32. On the first play of the fourth quarter, the Eagles' superstar runner Terrill Newby managed a 26 yard run down the sideline for the Eagles' first legitimate touchdown. That put them ahead, for good as it turned out 21-20.

 

After moving from their twenty to the fifty, Serra sputtered. Then came the punt downed at the Eagles' two and the awesome 98 yard drive that broke the Cavaliers' back. 28-20 with 5:34 to go.

 

The Cavs didn't quit. Starting at their own twenty, in twelve two-steps-forward-one-step-back plays, Serra moved the ball to the Eagle 14. A touchdown and a two point conversion would give them a second chance in overtime. First down: Greene's pass knocked down at the line of scrimmage. Second down, with the pocket breaking down, Greene stretches the play out and throws a strike to the endzone, but the refs call holding. Second down a second time. Greene escapes and runs brilliantly to the five. Holding. Second down a third time, Greene's complete pass leaves the Cavs 30 yards away. Third down: Again Greene is unable to pass and turns in a great run, down to the 19. Fourth and goal from the 19. Greene's pass is missed at the one. Game over.

 

MaxPreps - Serra Football - Varsity (Schedule, Roster, Photos and Stats)

 

MaxPreps - Rankings

 

Daily Breeze - Weekly Schedule              High School Football Photo Gallery

 

Daily Breeze - Serra's Mission League unbeaten streak is ended by Chaminade    

  

Los Angeles Times - This weeks Times' High School Football Rankings 

 

Los Angeles Times - Chaminade battles back to beat Serra, 28-20

  

the Alumni & Development Staff

  

Vince Kates '61       Joe Cormier '81      DeShawn Burton '88