Rivarly game produces big plays, great memories

The year has gone in opposite directions for the Servite and Mater Dei football teams, but that seemingly meant little Friday night.

It was after all, a rivalry night under the bright lights at Angel Stadium.

The two teams traded big plays all night in front of a large crowd.

Servite led, 14-6, at halftime. Mater Dei responded with 15 consecutive points to take a 21-14 lead. The Friars then scored 21 consecutive points for a 35-21 lead.

Mater Dei answered back to cut the deficit to seven and then had the ball for one shot to win the game.

In the end, Servite increased its winning streak in the series to three consecutive games.

"That's a testament to both programs," Servite coach Troy Thomas said. "I think Mater Dei does a great job. They're about the right things and Servite is too. I think we're very similar in our beliefs.

"My hat goes off to those guys (Mater Dei)."

One interesting moment came hours before kickoff when the Mater Dei freshman team came out of the tunnel and took a photo on the field.

Maybe in a couple of years they're on the same field making their memories in this rivalry.

• You can never have too much depth at running back.

Two weeks ago both Mana Pauu and Andrew Moore gained over 100 yards in Servite's 35-27 victory over St. John Bosco.

Friday night, the Friars' Charlie Etiaki returned to action from his clavicle injury and rushed for 153 yards.

"Now we have three backs and trying to play them all is tough," Thomas said. "I thought he played (Etiaki) played well for not having practiced much the last three weeks."

• Villa Park's senior kicker Andrew Sanders took down another record in the Spartans' record book Thursday night.

Late in the first half, Sanders lined up for a 51-yard field goal against Brea Olinda.

"I thought I finally had a shot to get the school record," he said. "You don't get many opportunities."

He took this one and sailed it through the uprights. The previous record was 50 yards. His previous longest field goal was 42 yards.

He now holds seven schools records (most PAT's in a game, season, career and kicking points in a game, season and career and now longest field goal).

"He's a beast of a kicker," Villa Park coach Dusan Ancich said. "We're doing everything we can to get his name out there."

Sanders' foot is doing his job.

• Here are some of the mind-boggling numbers from Costa Mesa's 63-47 victory over Laguna Beach on Friday.

The teams combined for 63 first downs and 1,316 yards in total offense.

Costa Mesa rushed for 499 yards, led by Mario Smith's 359. Laguna Beach passed for 448, led by Larry Stewart's 413.

Laguna Beach's 627 yards of total offense eclipsed the previous record of 579 set earlier this season against Webb.

• Cox3 has a doubleheader this week. First up is the Tesoro-San Clemente game on Thursday and Laguna Hills-El Toro on Friday.

Tesoro-San Clemente will air first Friday at 11:30 p.m. Laguna Hills-El Toro will air first at 9:30 a.m. Saturday.

• Liberty Christian will face Cornerstone Christian of Wildomar on Friday in the first round of the CIF-SS 8-Man Division 2 championships. Liberty Christian (4-5) received an at-large berth from the Express League.

• Here is my top 10 vote this week: 1. Servite; 2. Mission Viejo; 3. Santa Margarita; 4. San Clemente; 5. Orange Lutheran; 6. Mater Dei; 7. Tesoro; 8. Edison; 9. La Habra; 10. Villa Park.