Servite needs late heroics to win state title

CARSON - After three weeks of performing late-game heroics, it seemed as if Servite was going to get a night off Saturday.

But Rocklin put the Friars back to work in the CIF State Division II bowl championship at Home Depot Center.

Rocklin erased a 20-point deficit late in the third quarter to tie the score in the fourth.

But just as they did in their run to the Pac-5 Division title, the Friars pulled through when it mattered most.

Senior Nicholas Echeverry kicked a 23–yard field goal on the final play to lift Servite past Rocklin, 33-30, in an often-chippy game at Home Depot Center.

Echeverry's fourth field in as many tries came after an interception by cornerback Jordan Jones at Rocklin's 27 with 1:51 left. Jones' takeaway gave the Servite (14-1) another chance after it lost a fumble at Rocklin's 2 with 2:35 left.

"We know a lot of teams are just as talented as we are," Servite offensive lineman Wyatt Baker said, "but in the fourth quarter, that's when our grit and toughness comes in.

"Even though some of our guys are small, we have a lot bigger hearts than most of the teams out there."

The 5-foot-6, 160-pound Echeverry also booted field goals of 47, 39 and 43 yards.

In giving Servite a 30-10 lead with his 43-yarder with 6:30 left in the third, Rocklin (14-1) was called for running into Echeverry but Servite coach Troy Thomas took the points.

"I didn't think it was going to make it," Echeverry said of his third quarter field goal. "As I kicked it, I got knocked back."

The 5-foot-7, 160-pound Jones hung tough. The junior was beat by 6-foot-6, 205-pound tight end Holden Huff for a touchdown earlier but had wideout Kyle Garvella covered in making his late interception on a second-and-long post route.

"He overthrew it," Jones said of quarterback Tiger Sorenson. "(Garvella's) head wasn't turned around yet and I was able to peek into the backfield, which I'm not supposed to do, but it all works out."

Huff (six catches for 100 yards) and running back Jackson Cummings (159 yards rushing) helped Rocklin tie the score. Huff made a diving 8-yard touchdown catch late in the third. Cummings scored on a 17-yard run early in the fourth and later broke a 37-yard run to set up his 1-yard run with 8:51 left. The PAT tied the score, 30-30.

Servite seemed to settle down on its ensuing possession. Quarterback Cody Fajardo drove the Friars from their 26 to a first-and-goal Rocklin's 10 with 4:17 left. But on third-and-goal, the Friars fumbled. Thomas quickly encouraged his defense.

"We had to make a play," he said. "I just keep believing that something good is going to happen and usually it does."

Rocklin outgained Servite, 410-355, but the Thunder also missed a 27-yard field goal late in the first half.

"I thought their team played great," Thomas said of Rocklin, which featured a backup in Sorenson.

"I don't know how well we played but when you can play like that and still get it done, obviously that's a big win for our school."

Both teams racked up the penalties. Fajardo was upset in the third quarter after it appeared he was hit out of bounds.

"We didn't like that at all," Baker said of the play. "I'm glad we played kind of a chippy team. I hate teams that roll over. I love that it was a battle to the end."

Servite finished with nine penalties for 83 yards; Rocklin had 10 for 68 yards.

“We just lost our composure a little bit tonight, which is very uncharacteristic of our team,” Thomas said. “I’m just glad we got a state title. … We can walk out of here and go, ‘Whew. We got it done.’ ”

Servite started fast. Safety Jacob Slemmer intercepted Sorenson at Rocklin’s 33 less than two minutes into the game. The Friars quickly capitalized, driving for a 1-yard touchdown run by Fajardo and a 7-0 lead. Fajardo almost scored on the previous play as he scrambled for 12 yards on third-and-8.

A sack by defensive tackle Kirifi Taula ended Rocklin’s next possession. Chris Nicholls then fielded a low punt and returned it 55 yards for a touchdown to give Servite a 14-0 lead with 5:49 left in the opening period.

“I thought special teams made a lot of big plays,” Thomas said. “We made our field goals. We blocked a kick (extra point). (The) punt return.”

Rocklin used a trick play to energize its offense. A few plays after Nicholls' punt return, the Thunder lined up Garvella at quarterback and had him toss to Cummings at running back. But Cummings took the ball and threw back to an open Garvella in the flat for 21-yard gain to Servite’s 42. Four plays later, Huff scored on a 29-yard reception from Sorenson.

After the teams traded field goals, Servite’s offense struck for a big play. On a third-and-9, Fajardo connected with wide out Rudy Guerrero for a 60-yard touchdown pass down the middle of the field as the Friars opened a 24-10 lead.

Servite lined up three receivers to the right. Nicholls was the inside receiver and ran a crossing route in front of the safety. Guerrero was positioned in the middle on the right side and flew past the safety.

“We hit that same play against Edison last week,” Thomas said. “Rudy is such a good player. I think he is an under-rated wide receiver. He’s made big plays for us all year long.”

Before the end of the first half, the Friars drove for a 39-yard field goal by Echeverry, who made it 27-10, with 2:38 left in the second quarter.

But by late in the thrid quarter, Servite found itself in another close game. In the Pac-5 Division finals, Nicholls scored on a 54-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to help the Friars beat Edison, 16-6. In the semifinals against Mission Viejo, the Friars’ defense held on a 2-point conversion as the Diablos went for the victory. In the quarterfinals, Fajardo threw a late touchdown to Nicholls as Servite scored the go-ahead points with less than two minutes left.

“If we wouldn’t have played our (difficult) preseason, we won’t be able to pull out those wins,” Baker said.