Fryer on football: Notes on the O.C. scene
Check out some of the important topics for the week.
ORANGE LUTHERAN 31, MATER DEI 12
Sure, it had all the makings of "trap" situation for Mater Dei, with the potential that the Monarchs would look ahead to the Servite game and take Lutheran lightly because Lutheran lost to Servite. But Lutheran played well enough to beat Mater Dei no matter the circumstances. The Lancers had a great game plan and followed it. They kept Mater Dei's playmakers from making plays with outstanding pass coverage, they ran the ball effectively and used Mr. First Down, tight end Blake Ayles, when they most needed him. Because Servite beat Lutheran and Lutheran beat Mater Dei, the vote here for No. 1 in the county went to Servite. But Lutheran might be the best team in the county at the moment.
SERVITE-MATER DEI
Mater Dei has not lost to Servite since Bruce Rollinson became the Monarchs' coach in 1989. There have been some close calls, including last year's Mater Dei triumph in overtime, a scoreless tie in 1992 and a couple of others that could have gone either way. The challenges for Servite on Friday at Angel Stadium are to establish a passing game early and cover those Mater Dei receivers like Lutheran did. The challenge for Mater Dei is to regain that edge it seemed to have lost during that two-week break created by our wildfires situation.
SENSATIONAL SOPHOMORE
There are a few around Orange County. Among them are Western running back/linebacker Ruben Ortega, who rushed for 103 yards and two touchdowns and returned an interception 66 yards for a touchdown in the Pioneers' 65-7 victory over Savanna; and Newport Harbor receiver/linebacker Cecil Whiteside, the Sailors' leading tackler and second-leading receiver.
WHO IS GOING?
A guess here as to which Orange County teams will receive at-large berths when football playoff at-large teams, seedings and first-round pairings are announced Sunday: Cypress, Santa Ana Valley and Los Alamitos.
Contact the writer: sfryer@ocregister.com
