Servite's offense busts out of slump

SANTA FE SPRINGS – Former Angelus League rivals Servite and St. Paul of Santa Fe Springs clashed in a nonleague game Friday evening at the "Pit" with both teams in dire need of a victory.

Andrew Moore rushed for 151 yards and scored two touchdowns as the Friars broke out of a two-game offensive funk and defeated the Swordsmen, 38-6.

The Friars, who were shut out in their past two games, used a strong ground attack to score 17 points in the second quarter and applied a stiff defense to hold St. Paul to 75 yards in the first half.

————————————

• OCVarsity Fandemonium: Friday's games (Week 5)
  
• OCVarsity Fandemonium: Friday's games (Week 5)
• Fryer: Trinity teams get ready to fight for playoffs

————————————

"This was an important game for us because we've struggled a bit," Servite coach Troy Thomas said. "Our kids have maintained a positive attitude. It's been tough on them because of the reputation of Servite football. We expected a tough game because St. Paul has proven that they can play at a high level. "

Servite (2-3) has won the past four games against St. Paul (1-4) in a series that dates to 1961.

Sophomore quarterback Travis Waller masterfully guided the Servite offense in place of injured Neil Pauu.

The Friars took advantage of a St. Paul miscue midway through the first quarter to take an early lead. The Swordsmen were flagged for an illegal substitution on a fourth-down play and turned the ball over on downs at the their 39-yard line.

Moments later Moore scored on a 6-yard run that capped a drive that included two successful fourth-down conversions. Salesi Eteaki, who returned from an ankle injury, added a 12-yard touchdown run in the second quarter to give Servite a 14-0 lead. Later in the quarter, Tony Brown's long punt return set up a Nicholas Mares 39-yard field goal.

Three plays following a Swordsmen's turnover, Moore added his second touchdown run to give the Friars a 24-0 halftime lead.

Kurt Scoby led the Swordsmen with 117 yards rushing.

Jacob Maier completed a 73-yard TD pass to Matthew Baker in the fourth quarter for St. Paul's touchdown.

With 3:02 remaining in the game, Swordsmen receiver Darrell Cloy was injured on a pass play. He was transported by ambulance to an area hospital for treatment. The referees called the game following the injury.