Servite delivers powerful blow with defense, Portis

NORWALK - It was Servite’s first game of the 2008 campaign, so there were some of the usual jitters that go along with that.

But the Friars also showed off a hard-hitting defense that has become a trademark of their program, and some bright flashes on offense en route to a 41-16 victory over St. Paul of Sante Fe Springs on Friday night at Cerritos College.

"I think we played alright," Friars coach Troy Thomas said. "It was defenitely the first game, so you saw some jitters and we are young in some spots, but I thought we played pretty good."

Senior running back Greg Portis exploded for 115 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries, and he made a dazzling run after a catch for a 29-yard touchdown. Portis did the bulk of his damage in the first half to help stake Servite to a 27-14 lead at the break.

Cody Fajardo took over the reigns as Servite’s starting quarterback and showed a lot of potential, going 8 of 17 for 152 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions.

Servite scored on its first possession to set the tone of the game. Christopher Nicholls took a lateral from Fajardo and sprinted 54 yards to get deep into St. Paul territory.

Four plays later, Fajardo barreled into the end zone on a 5-yard keeper for a 7-0 lead.

Servite didn’t score again until the second quarter when Portis took a short pass from Fajardo on a fourth-and-3 play and turned it into a dazzling 29-yard scoring play for a 14-0 advantage.

Portis added scoring runs of 64 and 11 yards in the second quarter as the Friars began to break away from the Swordsmen.

"He’s worked real hard," Thomas said of Portis, who has been on varsity since he was a sophomore. "He put on weight and built up his strength and been a real leader in the offseason."

St. Paul quarterback Paul Lopez turned in a gutsy effort despite facing a ferocious pass rush and getting sacked five times. He made things interesting when he connected with Osagie Odiase on a 48-yard scoring pass with 32 seconds left in the first half to cut the deficit to 27-14.

But the Friars came out strong to start the second half to shut down and hopes of a Swordsmen comeback. Servite’s defense got a three-and-out to start the half.

The offense took over and put together a six-play, 69-yard scoring drive for a 34-14 lead.

Fajardo connected with his tight end on a fourth-and-6 play that went for a 15-yard gain and got the Friars inside St. Paul’s 5-yard line. Matt Inman took it in from four yards out two plays later.

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Contact the writer: carias@ocregister.com