Lucky or Good? 

Serra Remains in the Hunt

Serra fans had to be a little worried as they tried to find seats in Crespi's limited visitor grandstand Friday night.  The Kelts were unbeaten in Mission League play, 5-0 overall.  The Cavs had been spanked by lightly regarded Bishop Amat seven days earlier, and most of that loss seemed to be the result of fundamental weaknesses in the Serra offense. 

Early in the game two things became apparent: one, Serra's offense has improved, and, two, Crespi isn't as fearsome as that 5-0 record indicated.

Crespi won the toss and deferred.  The two clubs sashayed back and forth for most of the first quarter.  Serra one first down and out, Crespi three and out, Serra three and out, Crespi three and out.  Most notable development: Serra seems to have picked its quarterback: Khalil Tate.  Caleb Wilson is playing wide receiver.  He would prove to be a critical contributor. 

Serra's third series started at the Serra 13 with 4:21 remaining in the first period.  Eleven plays and 87 yards later, Serra took the lead 7-0.  Five runs and three passes including a key throw to Austien Perez all alone at the Crespi 27. 

Crespi came right back, moving 75 yards on 12 plays, all but one on the ground and scoring at 6:00 in the second quarter.  The critical question: which offense could repeat?  Serra threatened on the next series, holding the ball for three minutes and advancing to the Crespi 31, but the drive was stymied there by penalties: a chop block and a hold. 

The Kelts threatened in the first drive of the second half, but lost a fumble at the Serra 29.  Serra wasn't able to do anything with the gift, or with a second fumble recovered after the first play of Crespi's next series.  The third quarter ended with Crespi in possession and the tie still in place.  Four plays into the fourth quarter, Crespi's Weston Massett got off a short pass to Torrance Brumfield, the first Cav tackler missed, and Brumfield was fast enough to outrun everyone else in the Cavalier secondary: 52 yards and a go-ahead touchdown.  Point after was good, Crespi up for the first time 14-7; and Serra hadn't shown much in the second half. 

But the Cavs responded on the next possession, shrugged off a major penalty and scored on a fourth down pass Tate to Perez after three ineffective runs first and goal from the Crespi 6.  Serra 14 Crespi 14, and you started to wonder about how these teams would handle overtime.

The Cav defense held the Kelts three and out, forcing a punt with 4:47 remaining.  Four runs and one pass and Darrion Naylor broke loose for one of the longest runs in recent memory, 23 yards more or less untouched.  Point after good, Serra 21 Crespi 14. 

Overtime images started the fade.  The Cavs had to keep the Celts out of the end zone for just under three minutes and the game was theirs.  And the clock was decided the Cavalier's ally at that point: Crespi averaged about 25 seconds per play.  A minute later it looked like the Jell-O was ready to jiggle.  Crespi had to give Serra the ball at Serra's 41, with one time out left and 1:26 on the play clock. 

Serra gained seven on a good run.  1:21.  Crespi's last time out.  Serra false start moves the ball back.  Now second and 8.  Tate pulls the ball back on the zone option and heads for the left sideline with two Kelts on close pursuit.  Tate is pulled down behind the line and fumbles.  Crespi's Brandon Lawless scopes the ball up and carries it to the Serra 26.  1:09 remaining.  Ou-EEE.

Two incomplete passes use up 29 seconds.  Massett manages to throw complete for a first at the Serra 9.  40 seconds.  Two passes incomplete, and Massett found Marvell Tell five yards free in the corner of the Serra end zone.  Serra 21 Crespi 20 with 29 seconds on the clock.  Crespi, who beat Amat two weeks earlier with a two point conversion, lined up for a two point conversion, no if's, and's or but's.  Jalen Starks, Crespi's power runner, swept left and crossed the goal line.  No signal from the refs.

Now the lucky or good part.  Crespi was called for holding.  PAT replay.  Backed up ten yards, the Kelts lined up to kick for a tie.  Watch for the fake, but no, they did kick.  No signal again, but eleven white clad Cavs ran rejoicing to the side line.  Then the zebras confirmed.  Kick no good. 

Crespi tries an on side kick that was fielded cleanly and with the Cav nation coaching in unison, Tate took a knee and the game was over.

Next week Serra meets Alemany at Alemany.  Serra will go into the game tied for first place in the Mission League with Amat and Crespi.  Alemany is tied in the loss column thanks to Bishop Amat.  The after game recap credits the upset to Amat's success frustrating the Alemany passing attack.  That's ambiguous for Serra.  The pass rush has been effective, but when there's time to pass receivers have been open in all six games to date. 

By Pat Lynch '59

Mt. Carmel Alumni Association

Pictured here is John Martin of the Mt. Carmel Alumni Association presenting a check for tuition assistance to Principal Jeff Guzman. 

Devan Spann '10

ASU Student-Athlete of the Month

As a senior Devan Spann has worked extremely hard to get to where he is now. It wasn't always easy for him but he has certainly persevered throughout his time here as a student. As an incoming freshman he accepted a scholarship to play football, but due to nagging injuries elected to switch sports and has been a part of the Sun Devil Track program the last three years.