MOUNTAIN VIEW - Multiple timely turnovers coupled with some big plays allowed Serra to glide past division rival St Francis 31-17 in the Division II semifinals.
The Padres defense had four takeaways on interceptions by TC Lavulo, Taniela Latu, and a pair from Nikolao Vaefaga.
With a score of 10-7 and the ball on the St. Francis five-yard line, facing third down, Serra elected to throw into the end zone for a potential score. Leki Nunn dropped back and lobbed a pass to the back of the end zone that was broken up. However, the referees threw the flag and penalized St. Francis for pass interference, putting the ball at the one-yard line, and a replay of third down. The first rushing attempt was no good, so Serra coach Patrick Walsh decided to go for it on fourth-and-one. His plan succeeded as Nunn barged his way through the defensive front into the end zone for the Padre touchdown, and a 17-7 lead.
Walsh's decision to go for it could have possibly saved Serra's season, as on the next drive, St. Francis marched to the 12-yard line, where Cyrus Habibi-Likio punched it in from there. After a successful extra point, the score sat at 17-14 in favor of Serra.
Late in the game Serra looked to extend its lead, as sophomore quarterback Luke Bottari came in and made some big throws. After a pair of momentum shifting third-down conversions, Bottari dropped back and rifled the ball over the middle to a leaping Patrick Nunn, who landed in the end zone for a 10-yard Serra touchdown. On the very next drive, Bottari slung it down the field to Shane Villaroman, who did the rest; a 37-yard touchdown created a daunting 31-14 Serra lead.
"Luke has won five games for us now," Walsh said. "I call him Dak Prescott, I mean he is cool as ice and delivering balls all over the field."
St. Francis threatened to come back in the game with the ball inside the Serra red zone. Quarterback Reed Vettel dropped back and threw a jump ball into the end zone, however, where Vaefaga won the one-on-one battle with the receiver to grab the ball. This interception would be his second of the game and came at a big spot where the Lancers could have made it a 10-point game with about seven minutes to go.
"He (Vaefaga) started the season as a receiver, but he said he felt more comfortable playing defense, so he decided to make the switch mid-year," said Walsh. "He's one of the best athletes on the team, and he has great ball skills, just a fantastic game."
This win over the Lancers was Serra's second against them this season. In fact, the Padres are the only team to beat St. Francis this year.
Next week the Serra Padres will be moving on to the CCS Division II championship game against yet another rival in Archbishop Mitty. The sixth-seeded Monarchs won their contest 24-7 on the road against the second-seeded Los Gatos Wildcats. The championship game will take place on Friday, November 25th at 7:00 pm at Westmont High School in Campbell.
