Servite stays in title race by rolling over JSerra

MISSION VIEJO - Five plays into the opening drive, Servite quarterback Cody Fajardo lobbed a 15-yard pass into the end zone for the Friars first score.

They would go on to score in all six of their drives in the first half, as well as their first in the second, in a 52-0 blowout over JSerra on Friday night at Saddleback College.

The victory left No. 3 Servite (6-3, 3-1) with a chance to win a share of the ultra-competitive Trinity League title and follows impressive outings against Orange Lutheran and Santa Margarita in the past two weeks.

The Friars' 52 points marked their highest offensive output of the season since putting up 41 in their opener against St. Paul of Santa Fe Springs.

Senior running back Gregory Portis again led the way with 116 yards rushing on nine carries, all in the first half. Fajardo also had a solid game by throwing for 140 yards and completing 75 percent of his passes.

While Servite's top two players racked up plenty of statistics, the rest of the offense was spread around evenly with four separate rushers scoring touchdowns.

The Friars offense was extremely efficient and earned 12 first downs in the first half alone.

The Friars defense was equally impressive in allowing a paltry 36 yards rushing and 19 yards passing in its first shutout of the year.

Servite held quarterback Hayden Greene to three completions and never allowed the offense of the Lions (5-4, 0-4) to get into a rhythm.

Contact the writer: preps@ocregister.com