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The Twenty-Five Percent Solution
For twenty eight nervous minutes Friday night, it looked like the 2-1 Amat Lancers were going to blind side the 3-0 Serra Cavaliers. Then, for twelve and three quarter minutes --26.5%--, the Cav offense whittled those lances down to matchsticks. It ended 28-12, leaving the Cavs alone at the top of the Mission League standings with two games to go.
The first quarter was lackluster. There were a few good plays on each side, but neither team could sustain a drive. Three possessions each, six punts.
The mood of the game changed - and not for the better -- at 9:50 in the second quarter. Serra's fourth punt set the Lancers up at their 33. That began an eleven play drive. Six runs, 5 passes, two complete, brought the Lancers to the Serra 10. Then as they have all year the D simply would not concede the tap-in. Three plays, no gain, and the Lancers were forced to kick. 3-0 with 5:55 remaining in the half. But three wins if the other guy has zero.
And it didn't get much better. 5 plays, one very good pass, one first down, and Serra punted for the fifth time.
The Lancers took up where they left off. Thirteen plays over 3:40, and as the clock ticked zero, the Lancer's second field goal sailed over the uprights. 6-0 at halftime. Less than a touchdown, but the Cavs hadn't come close to a touchdown.
Serra kicked to Amat to start the second half. Three unimpressive downs, and it looked like dull exchange, but the Lancers' punter took off like Adore Jackson, and turned the field upside down. Lancer's first at the Serra 27. The D went into red zone mode. Three plays and the Lancers' logical choice was another field goal. But they'd had enough knocking on the door. 4th and 4 at the Serra 24. Amat's pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage, and the ball went over to Serra with 9:27. The beginning of the 25% solution.
First play, Jalani Eason kept the ball on a zone read. Amat was not fooled, so Eason just ran over and through them for eleven yards. First down at the 33.
Quick out, complete for four. Eason again, not so much trickery as muscle and quickness. First down at the Serra 44.
Incomplete pass. Eason again on the zone read option. Seven yards. Third and two at the Amat 49. Randy Anyanwu for three. Serra first at the Amat 46.
Post to Kobe Smith three steps in front of the defense, but just one step short of the ball. Ouch!. Anyanwu breaks through the line, once past the linebacker, footrace to the goal. Anyanwu wins: Serra's first score with 7:28 remaining in the quarter. PAT good. Serra 7 Amat 6.
Lancers go three and out after the kick off. Amat's punt rolls to the Serra 45. 6:27 remaining. The offense takes the field. Which offense will we see?
Eason drops back, no one open. He takes advantage of the pass rush and runs to the Amat 29. First down. Bubble screen to Max Williams. He runs down the north sideline for a touchdown. PAT good. Serra 14- Amat 6.
Lancers gain 9 in two, and zero on third. Fourth and one, they try another version of the fake punt. Great defense, runner stopped cold. Serra takes over on downs at the Amat 43.
Eason runs he's never tackled but he's stopped after a gain of three. Anthony Torres running hard to the left for two. Third and five. Out to Deion Malone who runs for twelve to the Amat 26. Torres again, but he hits a stone wall. Look in to Kobe Smith for nine. Third and one. Out to Wesley Roebuck for a first at the Amat 11. Eason rolling right breaks for the goal, whirling between and through tacklers, he crosses the line with 1:56 remaining in the third. PAT good. 21 - 6.
The Lancers' next series was from the Twilight Zone. Ten plays taking them from the Amat 23 to the Serra 40. A little cause for concern on the Cavalier sideline. Amat has gone to the passing attack and having success. Ten plays, eight passes, five complete. A couple of big near misses. There's a ten minute interruption while the refs try to figure out what to after Serra seems to recover a muffed hike. It's Amat 4th and 5 at the Serra 42. They're going to go for it, and the punt unit is on the field. Time out. Line up again. Something's still wrong. Second time out. Lancers line up fourth and five for the third time. The coaches are screaming something from the Serra side line. The ball is snapped, the Lancers seem confused. Sack, and so much for that drive. Serra takes over on downs at the 42 with 11 minutes left in the game.
Ten plays, seven runs, four passes all complete, critical catches by Kobe Smith. Eason teases the Lancer D, while Anthony Torres runs the ball in for Serra's final TD. 28-6 with six minutes remaining.
The Lancer's scored their only touchdown of the night on the next series, but they had to spend three minutes doing it. Their try for a 2-point conversion was squelched, leaving them with a 16 point deficit.
Serra fielded a not very dangerous on-sides kick, and the Lancers didn't see the ball again.
Next week it's Serra at far-away San Fernando. The Cavs are the prohibitive favorite, but the fourth quarter is almost every game shows that even a small let-down can change the odds decisively.
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