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A TIME FOR EVERY PURPOSE....
After Serra fell to the Narbonne Gauchos 34 - 12, it looks like 2016 will be a time for rebuilding. The game was a little bit closer than the score would indicate, but not much. The biggest issue seemed to be the O-line. The Cav front line was unable to give the QBs much time to pass. The running game was adequate, but not strong enough to slow the Gaucho pass rush. Passing statistics weren't bad: Jalani Eason went 23 of 36 for 180 yards. Most were quick throws to the wide receivers. There wasn't time to go deep, and when Eason tried, he had to throw under pressure. On defense, the Cavs just couldn't stop the Gaucho passing attack. Slant patterns seemed almost automatic, but it has to be granted that Narbonne made some highlight film catches despite close Serra coverage. The game got off to a promising start for the Cavs. Serra kicked off, and after a good return, the Cavs pushed the Gauchos backwards over three plays and forced a punt. Serra got the ball at the 18, and moved to the Narbonne 35 in nine plays. On play no. 10, though, Eason didn't see the Gaucho safety poaching on his receiver and threw an easy interception. Gauchos took over on the 20 with 7:33 remaining in the first. And that was the end of the promising start. The Gauchos held the ball for six minutes, ran fifteen plays, and scored from the Serra 6 at 1:21. 7-0 Narbonne. Serra returned a short kick to the 35 and moved to the Gaucho 38 in seven plays, but failed on a fourth down try, and turned the ball over to Narbonne at the Narbonne 39. A fantastic catch despite close Cavalier coverage, moved the ball 50 yards in one play, and the Gauchos scored their second TD in exactly on minute. PAT was wide, Narbonne 13- Serra 0. Serra ended the shut out on the next series. 12 plays, eight passes, including a great drive saving pass on fourth down by Kobe Smith. Serra's successful PAT was nullified by sideline violation and the second try missed: Narbonne 13 Serra 6. That was as close as the Cavs were going to get. Narbonne came right back for a third touchdown in eight plays, aided perhaps by a ridiculous facemask call. Blaze McKibbin subbed for Eason on the next series. McKibbin, a pure drop-back passer, couldn't get time to set up. Serra made one first, and punted with 26 seconds left in the half. The second half got off to a promising start. Good kick off return, eight-play drive for a TD, Eason to Bryan Addison. PAT wide, Serra 12 Narbonne 20. And that was to be the last Serra score of the night. It's way too early to draw dire conclusions, but it's hard to be real optimistic. There's no doubt that the '16 Cavs are talented, but at this point not as talented as Cavalier fans have come to expect. It may be an up and down season. Certainly, the Cavs will be prohibitive underdogs at next week's Honor Bowl in Oceanside. Maxpreps ranks St. Joseph's regional 14 in the nation and 1st in the state of New Jersey. On paper, the Cavs should be favored at home against Dorsey. But then the Cavs were favored against Narbonne. Dorsey has one win under its belt, against a team from American Samoa. Hard to gauge that one. Looking ahead to the league: Loyola won 24-15 against Highland of Palmdale. Notre Dame won 35 - 21 against St. Joseph's Santa Maria, a traditional power. Crespi shut out Sylmar 38-0, and Alemany thumped Garfield 42 - 12. Chaminade lost to Oaks Christian 55-65, and Bishop Amat was humiliated by Mater Dei 63-14. Hard to compare, but no one is looking particularly weak at this point. | 
