Cavaliers Rode the Carson Colts 

into the Ground Friday night: 31-6 

By Pat Lynch '59

Everything that looked shaky in Oceanside firmed up in Carson.  And the really big news: Serra managed an honest-to-goodness touchback with one of its six kickoffs.

Everything that looked shaky?  Take the Tate/Wilson quarterbacking tag team. It worked smoothly on Friday, giving the team the benefit of each man's distinct talent.  Wilson is generally more effective with the pass, especially the deep ball (12 for 16 on Friday according to the Daily Breeze), and Wilson's punts were a potent weapon.  Serra's running game, so far, is pallid unless Khalil Tate is at the helm, and when he's on the field, average rushing yards not only of Tate but of Roberson and Naylor jump up to around ten.  On Friday, Tate scored two of Serra's four touchdowns.

Everything that looked shaky?  Take the Serra passing game.  In the first two games numbers were deceiving, until late in the Bellevue game, the pass was undependable.  Not only was the passing game statistically effective, it was strategically effective on Friday.  Although Wilson threw more completions, Tate threw well.  Serra's only passing touchdown Friday came from Tate's hand.  Stanley Norman, in particular, had a break out night receiving.

Everything that looked shaky?  Serra's ground game is still a little anemic.  The speed sweep hasn't been fast enough.  Generally, the ball handling hasn't been deceptive enough, and especially in the red zone, Serra hasn't generated the raw power to move the ball in three to five-yard bites.  But the Cavs made obvious progress on Friday.  Malik Roberson scored on a short run, but on at least two plays, Cav fans saw the breakaway Malik Roberson of yesteryear.

Everything that looked shaky?  Take the kicking game.  Kicking accounted for seven of Serra's 31 points, all good kicks in a difficult wind.  Punting was likewise excellent.  Caleb Wilson did the punting, the majority from the shotgun formation.  The kicks were uncovered.  As for kickoffs, there's still room for improvement.  The kick after Serra's opening touchdown got to the end zone on the bounce, but most were short and returned for significant yardage.  The Mission League will punish the Cavs for ceding twenty yards of field position.

As for the defense that almost held off mighty Bellevue, it throttled the Colts.  Absent a personal foul, the D would have pitched a shut out.  John Houston was outstanding, but did not stand out as clearly as he had in Oceanside.  The tackling was spread around.  Serra had nearly every pass well covered and came up with an important interception in the second quarter.

Serra had ten offensive series and scored on five.  There were some missed opportunities and penalties were a problem as always.  The Cavs are not yet a powerhouse but they're getting there.

Next week Serra hosts 1 and 2 Narbonne.  The Gauchos are formidable despite their record.  At the end of the third quarter Friday, Narbonne was up on No. 5 ranked Alemany. 

Looking further ahead, the new Mission League looks tougher and tougher:

Calling All Serra Football Players!

Serra is fortunate.  A lot of football playing Alumni attends Serra's home football games.   We would like to honor our Football Alumni by introducing them at halftime of this week's game against Narbonne.

1.  If you want to be introduced at half time, please notify Assistant Athletic Director Chris Calvin '06 by Noon Thursday.  Reach Chris at ccalvin1914@gmail.com Serra phone 310-324-6675 Xt. 1031 or 559-288-2481 and give him your name, position and class year.

2.  Please be at the game by 6:30.  After you get your ticket,  go to the Alumni Table and get your Half-Time "On the Field" Pass.  There will be a roped off section in the bleachers for you or you may wish to be on the field in the standing room area at the south end of the field.

3. With 4 minutes left in the first half, take your field pass and go to the gate to the field and assemble on the track south of the tunnel.  Joe Cormier '81 will be there to direct you through the cheerleaders and onto the field.

4.  We would like to keep everyone on the sidelines who wants to stay.  However. Serra has actually been penalized for sideline behavior and Serra has been advised by the CIF to eliminate our sideline crowds.