Super-charged Edison defense stops Servite

NORWALK - Edison football has been known in recent seasons for its spread passing attack and its abundance of skill players.

So far this season, the Chargers have made their mark by running behind a mammoth offensive line and playing dominating defense.

Both traits surfaced again Friday night as No. 7 Edison snapped a two-season losing streak against No. 5 Servite by posting a 6-0 victory at Cerritos College.

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Running back Elijah Herrera scored on a 4-yard touchdown run with 2:51 left in the third quarter (extra point failed) and Edison's defense continued to hold until it handed Servite its first shut out loss since a 30-0 loss to Mater Dei in the final game of 2004.

The next season, Troy Thomas replaced Larry Toner as Servite's coach, and the Friars began to transform into a Southern Section power.

"It's really great," Edison linebacker Robert Reyes said of the victory. "This is a great (program) here, Servite."

Edison defensive back Dylan Luther sealed the victory with an interception just in front of the Chargers end zone on the final play.

Edison (3-0) also forced Servite (1-2) to turn the ball over on downs with 4:46 and 1:38 left in the fourth quarter.

Reyes made a key tackle for a loss on a third-and-1 from the Edison 35 coming out of a Servite timeout with 5:29 left.

On the fourth-down attempt, Servite dropped a pass that looked good for a first down

"We played really hard," Reyes said of the Chargers' defense.

The Friars played without Utah commit running back Salesi Eteaki (injured) and limited junior running back Andrew Moore (coming off injury) to the final 1 1/2 quarters. Edison's defense still impressed.

Servite didn't drive inside the Edison 35 and finished with 154 yards of offense. The Chargers' starting defense still hasn't allowed a touchdown.

Edison also received sacks from linemen Derek Baljeu and Zach Donnelly and linebacker Alejandro Perez and an interception late in the third quarter by corner Kiante Goudeau.

"I give the credit to Edison," Thomas said. "They've got a good defense."

Edison played without running back Marquis Ross (hamstring) but Herrera and Donald Rice each rushed for over 100 yards. Herrera finished with 112 yards on 17 carries while Rice racked up 112 on 11 carries.

Rice broke a 76-yard run to the Servite 4 that setup Herrera's scoring run.

The seniors ran behind an offensive line of center David Siliuta, guards Miah Frost and Teancum Fuga and tackles Jesse Sosebee and Garrett Garcia.

The Chargers played formations with two tight ends and two tight ends with two fullbacks. They rotated Perez, Reyes and Balijeu at fullback.

"We're borrowing from Stanford a little," Edison coach Dave White said of the offense. "We were out of sync throwing the ball and had to go to the ground game."

In the first half, Reyes had a 32-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Alek Torgersen wiped out by an ineligible receiver down field penalty with 5:32 left in the first quarter.

That penalty and the missed extra point loomed in the fourth quarter.

"We try to make it interesting if we can," White joked. "This is a big win for us."

Servite cornerback Kyle Ray prevented another score with an interception in his end zone early in the third quarter. But the Friars' momentum ended when Edison forced the Friars to turn over the ball on downs at the Chargers 35 with 3:22 left in the third.

Servite quarterback Neil Pauu passed for 74 yards and rushed for a team-high 43 yards.

Servite's Havili Eteaki, one of six projected sophomore starters for the Friars, broke his leg on the opening kickoff, Thomas said.

The Friars' health will be key this coming Friday when they play host to Bishop Gorman of Nevada, ranked 10th in the nation this week by maxpreps. The game will be at Cerritos College on Friday.

On Friday, Bishop Gorman fell to visiting No. 11 Bergen Catholic of New Jersey, 42-35.

Last season, Bishop Gorman defeated Servite, 31-28.

Edison plays host to No. 3 Mater Dei at Orange Coast College on Friday.