Serra Explodes In Second Half, Beats Central Catholic
Terry Bernal Daily Journal staff
MODESTO — Despite the Serra Padres’ 3-0 start this season, there is something about the way the team is winning that presents something of an enigma.
Friday’s 38-7 win at Central Catholic is a prime example.
It took the Padres (3-0) just three plays from scrimmage to reach the end zone but seemed out of sync for the rest of the half.
Then, after taking a slight 10-7 lead into the break, Serra returned to the field and turned the second half into showtime.
Granted, this year’s meeting was a more decisive win than last year’s Serra victory over a Central Catholic team that has ruled the Oak Valley League for many years.
Last year the Padres topped the Raiders 42-30 in a barnburner at Freitas Field. This year’s rematch was more a war of attrition, Serra head coach Patrick Walsh said.
“Perseverance,” Walsh said. “That’s a great team.
They have 35 guys suited up, we have close to 90.
This is a game that’s a battle of attrition, and we expect to be in tough games. We don’t expect to just come in here and beat great football teams, storied programs, kids who care — walk in here and just kill people — that’s just not what we expect. But we do expect to play 48 minutes, and that’s what you saw tonight.”
The last 24 of those 48 minutes featured two of the best catches you’re ever going to see in a high school football game.
Serra quarterback Maealiuaki Smith was 17-of-28 passing for 192 yards and two touchdowns, and both impressive throws.
It was his second TD strike, though, a 36-yard shot into the end zone for senior receiver Braden Agosta, that topped Smith’s personal highlight reel — with Agosta in tight traffic in a 1-on-1 matchup and coming down cradling a one-handed catch in the breadbasket.
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Terry Bernal Daily Journal staff
MODESTO — Despite the Serra Padres’ 3-0 start this season, there is something about the way the team is winning that presents something of an enigma.
Friday’s 38-7 win at Central Catholic is a prime example.
It took the Padres (3-0) just three plays from scrimmage to reach the end zone but seemed out of sync for the rest of the half.
Then, after taking a slight 10-7 lead into the break, Serra returned to the field and turned the second half into showtime.
Granted, this year’s meeting was a more decisive win than last year’s Serra victory over a Central Catholic team that has ruled the Oak Valley League for many years.
Last year the Padres topped the Raiders 42-30 in a barnburner at Freitas Field. This year’s rematch was more a war of attrition, Serra head coach Patrick Walsh said.
“Perseverance,” Walsh said. “That’s a great team.
They have 35 guys suited up, we have close to 90.
This is a game that’s a battle of attrition, and we expect to be in tough games. We don’t expect to just come in here and beat great football teams, storied programs, kids who care — walk in here and just kill people — that’s just not what we expect. But we do expect to play 48 minutes, and that’s what you saw tonight.”
The last 24 of those 48 minutes featured two of the best catches you’re ever going to see in a high school football game.
Serra quarterback Maealiuaki Smith was 17-of-28 passing for 192 yards and two touchdowns, and both impressive throws.
It was his second TD strike, though, a 36-yard shot into the end zone for senior receiver Braden Agosta, that topped Smith’s personal highlight reel — with Agosta in tight traffic in a 1-on-1 matchup and coming down cradling a one-handed catch in the breadbasket.
Read More Here:
Serra explodes in second half, beats Central Catholic
MODESTO — Despite the Serra Padres’ 3-0 start this season, there is something about the way the team is winning that presents something of an enigma.
