Mater Dei stands behind line to trip up Servite

FULLERTON - There wasn't a more maligned group on the Mater Dei Monarchs than the offensive line through the first five games of the season.

As a result, quarterback Matt Barkley didn't have any time to throw and the running game couldn't get on track.

Then came a much-needed bye last week and a challenge issued from Coach Bruce Rollinson before Friday's game against rival Servite.

Rollinson said he challenged the group before the game and it certainly responded against the second-ranked Friars at Cal State Fullerton.

Barkley had time to throw and the sixth-ranked Monarchs (4-2, 1-0) rushed for 279 yards in a 42-21 road victory over the Friars (3-3, 0-1) in front of a sellout crowd of 10,000 in the Trinity League opener. (Full game stats.)

Jaron Hytche rushed for 202 yards and Jordan Allen had 77 yards and three touchdowns. Barkley completed 21 of 25 passes for 212 yards and two touchdowns. He wasn't sacked.

"I told our offensive line that if they believed in 8O-Line  brotherhood, which is a tradition, then they would fight for everything that they're worth," Rollinson said. "I felt that they just got down and played  their hearts out.”

"Now, all of a sudden, here comes Hytche and Allen. (Juan) Contreras did a great job at fullback and the tight ends blocked really well.”

The victory increased Mater Dei's unbeaten streak against Servite to 20 consecutive games. Servite's last victory in the series came in 1988.

"We were fired up, how could you not for this game," Barkley said. "We executed, that's what has been missing early in the year and it came  together tonight and this is the team that we're capable of being.

"The offensive line dominated up front, they really did. Our  running game was on fire both Jaron and Jordan were breaking tackles everywhere. This was a team effort, but headlined by the line, definitely.”

After a first half where neither team could stop the other's offense, the Monarchs took control in the third quarter.

Mater Dei opened the second half with an 80-yard drive, resulting  in a 6-yard touchdown from Allen for a 35-21 lead.

Servite failed to convert on a fourth-and-1 on its next  possession and the Monarchs again took advantage when Allen added another score for a 42-21 lead.

"We took a chance and we probably shouldn't have on that fourth down," Servite coach Troy Thomas said. "We probably should have punted, being  down by 14 (at the time). That was a mistake. Then it (the score) goes to 21  and we're just trying to catch up fast.”

"They pushed us around a little bit. Our defense got pushed  around which was a little surprising.”

• Click here for full game stats.

Contact the writer: dcalhoun@ocregister.com