November 9th 2024.
Recently, Serra High School has been known as the top team in Northern California, consistently making it to the state Open Division championship game for the past three seasons. However, things were looking different on Friday night as they found themselves with a losing record. But, they were able to turn things around with a 29-3 victory against Valley Christian in the final game of the West Catholic Athletic League. This win brought Serra to a .500 record, unfamiliar territory for a team used to dominating. Despite a challenging schedule, they were determined to keep pushing forward.
Valley Christian could understand Serra's struggles as they also faced their own ups and downs this season. Starting off strong with a 4-0 record in the league, they ended the season with three consecutive losses. Both teams had to regroup, stay focused, and learn from their experiences. However, this didn't mean there was nothing left to play for. The Central Coast Section playoffs were just around the corner and both teams had secured a spot in the Open Division quarterfinals. The possibility of facing each other once again for a championship title still remained.
With the playoffs in mind, both teams were looking to regain their momentum, but it was Serra who came out on top. Senior Nano Latu led the way with two touchdowns in the first half, rushing for 82 yards and catching two passes for 62 yards. His first touchdown came from a 2-yard run, followed by a 30-yard screen pass where he impressively spun out of a tackle at the 5-yard line. Serra's head coach, Patrick Walsh, praised Latu's performance, describing him as an elusive and passionate player with sneaky speed.
Serra's dominance was evident as they scored three touchdowns on their first three possessions, building a 22-0 lead in the second quarter. Valley Christian, missing their top two running backs due to injuries, struggled to keep up. Despite the efforts of running back Troy Calupad, who rushed for 43 yards, they were only able to gain a total of 165 yards with Serra's defense led by lineman Luke Disney shutting them down.
Valley Christian's head coach, Mike Machado, acknowledged the tough competition in the WCAL, facing top teams like Serra, St. Francis, and S.I. towards the end of the season. But, with playoffs approaching, he reminded his team that it was a new season and a chance to start fresh.
The game was even more special as it was Serra's only home night game of the year, Senior Night, and Polynesian Night all rolled into one. The stands were packed at Serra's Brady Family Stadium, creating an electric atmosphere for the players. Coach Walsh reflected on the season, proud of his team's dedication to their core values of love, brotherhood, and humility, regardless of their record. He expressed his love for the season, except for a few close losses, and was excited for the future with a team that had formed strong bonds.
Neither team's journey was over yet as the CCS seeding meeting was just a few days away. There was even a possibility of a first-round playoff rematch between Serra and Valley Christian. But no matter what, it was a new season and both teams were ready to give it their all once again.
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