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Ya Don't Step on Superman's Cape...

For the third time in three games, the Serra-Narbonne game began with a little ugly turf marking.  Fifteen minutes before the kickoff, the Gauchos streamed onto the field and planted a Narbonne flag in the heart of the Serra logo on the 50-yard line.  The Cavs took umbrage as this ungracious gesture, unplanted the flag; and for five minutes it looked like there would be a riot instead of a game. 

Can't say that this classless dust up inspired the Cavs.  They were unimpressive in the first half; but at the end, it was the Cavs who sent the Gauchos and their flag home: 37-14. 

Unimpressive, but the Cavs did win the first half 17-14.  Serra kicked to open the game, but got possession on a forced fumble on the Gaucho's third play from scrimmage.  Five plays and two motion penalties on the same play left Serra at the 13 where Erick Escamilla kicked a 33 yard field-goal.  Serra 3 - Gauchos 0.  2:30 into the game.

Narbonne held the ball for seven unproductive plays but couldn't sell a fake punt.  Serra took over at its 47, with 8:01 remaining in the first period.  One play: a great Caleb Wilson pass to Deontay Burnett flying down the west sideline, two broken tackles and a sharp cut into the end zone, fifty-three yards on total:  Serra 10 - Gauchos 0.

Serra's third series ended at the Gaucho 40 with an interception of a tipped pass with 4:45 remaining in the first.  Over the next four minutes, the Gauchos and especially speedy, skinny Sean Riley took control of the game.  Six plays highlighted by a 50 yard now-you-see-em, now-you-don't run by Riley after a screen pass, and the Gauchos were on the board 10-7.  Serra managed a first down, but couldn't sustain.  Seven plays ending in another amazing Riley run on a screen pass, and the Gauchos took the lead: 10-14, with 9:59 remaining in the half. 

The Cavs advanced from their twenty to the Gaucho 39, but Serra fumbled to the Gauchos and that was that.  Narbonne went back to work at 6:55, and held the ball for three minutes, but the Cav defense recovered its poise and forced a field goal try at 3:44.  The kick went wide and that turned out to be the last Gaucho threat. 

Serra took over and moved to the Gaucho twelve in six plays.  Just when it looked like the Serra drive had stalled, Khalil Tate shuttled in for Caleb Wilson and ran the ball around the left side to the flag.  Point after good: Serra 17 - Narbonne 14 with 1:33 remaining. 

Serra stopped the Gauchos, then threw an interception putting the Gauchos at the Serra 32 with 28 seconds on the clock.  Three close-call incompletions and Akinyele Turner returned the favor intercepting at the Serra 16.

Obviously a vital and necessary state secret is Altenberg's QB strategy.  Caleb Wilson played a couple more downs than Khalil Tate with one touchdown and one interception.  It remained clear to everyone that Altenberg relied on Tate in the red zone.  Tate's clutch run put the Cavs back in the lead at half time. 

Different teams in the same uniforms showed up in the second half.  Serra dominated; the Gauchos were less and less effective as the game slipped away from them.  Serra 3 and out.  10:56.  Narbonne three and out.  10:14.  Serra six and fumble at the Narbonne 26.  8:51.  Narbonne three and out 7:19.  Serra penalty aided four and out.  5:49.  Narbonne two and intercepted.  4:39.

The Cavs turned Woody Hayes on the following series, four runs, the last one a Job Maginty burst into the end zone.  PAT good.  Serra 24 - Narbonne 14 with 3:48 remaining in the third period.

From 3:48 on, the Cavs, in total command, generated the first two Cavalier lightning bolts of the '14 season.  With ten seconds gone in the fourth quarter, and the Cavs looking at first and thirty five at the Serra 23, Khalil Tate dropped back to pass, pulled the ball down and took two steps toward the line of scrimmage, stopped, loaded up and threw a rainbow to Stanley Norman who was ten yards past the nearest Gaucho.  Complete. Fifty-three yards for a TD.  Serra 31 - Gauchos 14. 

After the Gauchos failed again on fourth down, it was Serra's ball at the Serra 40.  Five running plays advanced the ball Woody Hayes fashion to the Gaucho 27, then a loss of five.  On the next play it was Cameron Hayes who got behind the deepest Gaucho, Hayes caught Tate's pass in the end zone.  Serra missed the extra point.   37 -14. 

On to homecoming '14 vs. the 3-0 Notre Dame Knights.  This will be Serra's first game in the newly aligned Mission League, a league where Serra's 3-1 is the second weakest showing so far. 

The Knights have already beaten Serra this season, Serra San Mateo 24 -- 14.  San Mateo aside, their opposition so far seems less challenging than Serra's preseason, but they demolished the teams they faced 70 - 34 and 56- 6.

Looking at

Pat Lynch '59

See you tomorrow night!

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