No. 13 Servite snaps Oceanside's 39-game unbeaten streak

Friars show no sign of letting down from State Bowl title by forcing six turnovers in resounding 31-7 victory over another reigning State Bowl champ.

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Sep 3, 2010, 1:38am
COSTA MESA, Calif. – If Oceanside (Calif.) is down in talent this season after winning the Division I State Bowl championship a year ago, the Pirates sure didn't schedule like they are hurting for bodies. But in the traditional opening night of the season in Southern California, the six-time San Diego Section champion met its match against the defending Division II Bowl champion.

Servite (Anaheim, Calif.) forced six turnovers and scored a 31-7 nonleague victory Thursday at Orange Coast College. The Friars are ranked No. 13 in the Xcellent 25, No. 19 nationally in the Freeman Ratings. Oceanside is ranked No. 54 in the state.

But this was nevertheless a marquee matchup on many levels, including a very personal one: Oceanside coach John Carroll was the defensive coordinator for Servite when it won championships in 1982 and 1983. Those were the last section titles won by the Friars until they won the Pac-5 title last season.

“Our defense played really well,” said Troy Thomas, whose arrival at Servite precipitated five consecutive league titles and last year's big splash. “It was a great win for our program to beat a great program like Oceanside and a coach like Coach Carroll.”

Servite's victory snapped Oceanside's unbeaten streak at 39 games. The program had won six consecutive San Diego Section championships, and has reached the semifinals 16 consecutive years. It may not get any easier for Oceanside next week when it plays at Temecula Chaparral, the defending champion of the Inland Division, which is considered second in strength to the Southern Section's Pac-5 that Servite won.

Oceanside started sophomore quarterback Tofi Pao Pao, who threw four interceptions among the Pirates' six turnovers. One was his fumble after being leveled by Jherremya Louta-Douyere for a sack; lineman Jody Thomas scooped up the ball and ran it in from 10 yards to make it 17-0 right before halftime.

“Sophomore quarterback playing against a high level football team in his first varsity game,” Carroll summarized. “He made some nice plays and struggled at times. The defense played very well at times and then had a few breakdowns. You could see things that we can build on. We're a new team playing a tough schedule and we'll use this to measure ourselves.”

Carroll also noted the absence of All-CIF center David Vasquez (mononucleosis): “That had a tremendous effect on our ability to block both the pass and the run.”

Thomas had a great night. Not only did he return the fumble, his sack preceded a big interception return by Jordan Jones that led to a field goal; and Thomas intercepted two passes.

“We need to move Jody Thomas to defensive back,” joked Troy Thomas, who is no relation to the 5-10, 225-pound tackle/fullback. “He's leading the Southern Section in picks right now. He had a great game, one he'll never forget. He has become such a smart player. He feels the screen so well and he read it.”

Servite scored on its first drive of both halves. The first came on a 15-yard fade from junior Cody Pittman to Robert Abeyta to cap a 38-yard drive, and the second a 17-yard pass to Butch Pauu after Oceanside stacked the box to prevent the run.

Pauu, whose primary role on the team is linebacker, also scored when he took his position at quarterback in the wildcat formation. On his first play, he carried 17 yards for a touchdown despite getting hit three times. Pauu's run gave Servite a 31-0 lead in the third quarter. Oceanside wasn't able to break through until Servite's reserves took the field.

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