COSTA MESA — If two words had to be used to describe the Servite football team’s 46-3 nonleague victory over Chaminade on Friday at Orange Coast College, consistency and execution immediately come to mind.
Once the Friars (2-1) settled into a rhythm on their third possession of the game, they scored touchdowns on six of their next seven drives, while preventing the Eagles (1-2) from crossing the goal line for the entire game.
After losing their season opener to the state’s fifth ranked team, Centennial of Corona, the Friars have bounced back with back-to-back victories, scoring a combined 102 points.
“We did a lot of good things and we’re stepping in the right direction,” Servite coach Chris Reinert said. “I’m proud of the way we played all three phases of the game.”
Servite quarterback Kale Murphy completed 17 of 24 passes for 143 yards and three touchdowns.
The Mission Viejo High transfer has thrown seven touchdown passes through three games.
Junior wide receiver Ben Harris, Servite’s other key transfer, who came from Long Beach Poly, was on the receiving end of two of Murphy’s touchdowns, one for 12 yards in the first quarter, and the second for 18 yards in the fourth quarter, which put the Friars ahead 33-3.
After punting on their first two possessions, the Friars scored touchdown on three consecutive drives.
The first came on a 9-yard touchdown pass from Murphy to Judah Clark
Murphy also set up the touchdown with a 48 yard run three plays earlier.
“We’re a really talented offense,” Murphy said. “All of our guys can play. All of our guys can score. So, having that many options on the field at the time helps me a lot.”
Two plays into Servite’s next scoring drive, Gavin Gutierrez ran through a hole, came up against a wall of defenders, then made a sharp cut to his right and sprinted to the endzone for a 35-yard touchdown, giving the Friars a 12-0 lead after a missed 2-point conversion attempt.
Gutierrez finished with 84 yards and two rushing touchdowns.
“He is a really talented football player,” Reinert said of Gutierrez. “A great young man. I love working with him.”
On Servite’s next possession, a 17-yard run from Gutierrez, with 15 yards tacked on for a personal foul, gave the Friars a first down on the Eagles 12.
Murphy connected with Harris for a 12-yard score on the next play, giving Servite a 19-0 lead.
The Friars defense faced its toughest test late in the second quarter, when the Eagles had a second-and-goal from the 1.
Defensive end Diego Young sacked quarterback Cameron Pooley on the next play.
Pooley tried to run it in on third down, but he was stopped 3 yards short of the goal line by Allen Kennett and Isaiah Danns.
After an illegal procedure penalty, the Eagles had to settle for a field goal.