Rain doesn't dampen Lancers' momentum Rain doesn't dampen Lancers' momentum (October 29, 2004)

St. Francis scores 14 in four minutes

By Scott Campbell

The St. Francis football team faced a tough test while visiting the undefeated Serra Padres on Oct. 23. Serra was determined to end its streak of 32 consecutive losses to their West Catholic Athletic League rival. However, by better adjusting to the wet conditions, St. Francis extended its winning run with a 21-7 victory.

Facing a constant drizzle from the opening kickoff, the teams quickly took advantage of the perpetually loose football. The two teams combined for 11 fumbles and 12 penalties. Only the field turf that Serra installed the previous fall prevented a complete mud-bowl.

"The ball was slipping out all over the place," said Lancers running back Chris Reese.

The sloppy conditions appeared to favor Serra, which relies on its power rushing attack. A deliberate march down the field put the Padres in position for a second-quarter score. In a rare deception play, Lopeti Taufoou scored a 16-yard touchdown on a reverse to give the Padres a 7-0 lead.

A late first-half sequence turned the tide in favor of St. Francis. The Lancers recovered a Serra fumble on the Padre 7-yard line. Reese capitalized on the turnover with an immediate touchdown run. Following a missed point-after, the St. Francis defense began to assert itself.

After a Serra penalty, the St. Francis pressure got to quarterback Jeremiah Masoli. Reese, doubling as a defensive end, sacked the Padres' passer in the end zone. On the ensuing safety, the Lancers took an 8-7 lead.

"It's all work, every single play," said Reese, of his impact on both sides of the ball.

Rewarded with the ball after its safety, the St. Francis offense started to dominate the line of scrimmage. Ekahi Casino finished a balanced drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. Despite a blocked point-after, St. Francis claimed a 14-7 halftime lead.

"Fourteen points in four minutes. Right there, that was the game," Serra Coach Patrick Walsh said.

St. Francis took any wind left in Serra's sails with the opening drive of the second half. The Lancers pounded out 74 yards, all on the ground. Despite two fumbles on the possession, St. Francis scored on another Chris Reese run to go up 21-7.

Forced to take more chances, Serra (6-1 overall, 2-1 league) played right into the hands of the St. Francis defense. Two interceptions by Morales and a fumble recovery by Reese proved too much for the wilting Padre offense.

"We didn't play at the level we needed to play at to beat the Lancers," said Walsh. "We made the bigger mistakes."

St. Francis (7-1 overall, 3-1 league) will visit Bellarmine on Oct. 29, and then Valley Christian on Nov. 12. The league title and postseason seeding will likely be at stake.

E-mail Scott Campbell at sports@mv-voice.com

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