Established Serra throttles promising Riordan with its 'A' game
SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA — It was the up-and-comers versus the established champions; The young pups against the grizzled vets; The shiny new sports car taking on the unrelenting locomotive.
From the get-go, the old guard played hungrier, with more urgency and a definite edge in Serra's 53-7 West Catholic Athletic League stampede over visiting Riordan.
It took the Padres (8-0, 5-0), the No. 3 team in the SBLive Sports California Top 25, just six running plays on their first drive to go 54 yards, capped on a 4-yard touchdown sweep by Jaden Green.
On their next possession, lining up for a short field goal, Serra backup quarterback and first-string holder Brooks Trimmer took a snap and fired a perfectly-timed 20-yard touchdown to Chris Yoon, who had duped the defense by looking like he was being substituted out, making it 15-0.
Riordan running back Charle Johnson (25) is hit hard by Jabari Mann (5).
Photo: Eric Taylor
On possession three, Serra's starting quarterback Maealiuaki Smith (6 of 11, 102 yards) fired a beautiful 20-yard touchdown strike to tight end Cole Harrison and with 8:36 left in the second quarter, this highly anticipated battle between the WCAL's only undefeated teams was essentially done.
Serra, the two-time defending Central Coast Section Division 1 champion and Northern California Open Division representative, clicked masterfully in all three phases.
Riordan, a team which has already clinched its first winning season since 2015, dropped to 6-2, 4-1.
Averaging 43 points and 439 yards per game, the Crusaders avoided a shutout on a 24-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Michael Mitchell Jr. to 4-star junior receiver Chris Lawson late in the third quarter.
By that time, the Padres led 43-0. They didn't relent, matching Riordan's score with a 75-yard scoring drive, capped by Nano Latu's 9-yard touchdown run to go up 50-7. Latu, one of nine ball carriers for the Padres, led the team with six carries for 87 yards.
A 36-yard field goal by Serra's Thomas Gooch was the only score during a running clock fourth quarter. The Padres had long since emptied its very deep bench with second- and third-stringers.
Serra junior defensive end Tommy Miller (57) takes b-line toward Riordan freshman quarterback Michael Mitchell Jr.
Photo: Eric Taylor
They showed their balance with touchdown runs by two other players — Trimmer (16 yards), Marley Alapati (2 yards) — along with another TD pass by Smith, this one 29 yards to Braden Agosta.
"Our guys have never been on this stage before and it showed," Riordan second-year coach Adhir Ravipati said. "We had guys lining up in the wrong spots, we had some busted routes, and guys out of alignment.
"Those guys (Serra) are really, really good and they have a lot of veteran guys. They exposed us with that experience."
Linebacker Danny Niu, one of four fourth-year players and a San Diego State commit, said the Padres were definitely motivated to show a young and talented team that they were still the top dogs.
He had an interception and and fumble recovery.
He said the Padres played their "A" game.
"We knew they were a great team," Niu said. "They have a great line and skill guys so we knew what we needed to do. Especially on defense. I think we all played really well."
Trimmer, a talented senior who has had to sit behind a 4-star quarterback in Smith, said the Padres' performance wasn't by accident.
"They definitely pushed us to have our best practices of the season this week," Trimmer said. "I think it was our best game of the. year. We wanted to come out quick on them which we did and we kept our foot on the pedal throughout."
Riordan sophomore receiver Cynai Thomas (17) is corralled in the Serra secondary
Photo: Eric Taylor
A lot of that constant pressure comes from the team's experience, including nine of 11 returning starters on defense.
"We've been to two state championships," said Niu, a San Diego State commit. "We know what it's like to play the best of the best."
The Padres started the season with wins over perennial state-title contenders Folsom (21-14) and De La Salle (28-0).
Riordan's only defeat before Saturday was to Southern California power St. Bonaventure of Ventura, 24-14. The Crusaders rebounded with four straight wins over St. Ignatius (41-34), Valley Christian (42-17), Bellarmine (55-41) and Mitty (56-42).
Clearly Serra was a level or two up in competition.
"I'm hopeful we can learn and grow from this," said Ravipati, whose team was without two starting linebackers due to injury. "We have a short week before playing St. Francis. Hopefully this will serve as a teachable moment for us."
Serra coach Patrick Walsh said Trimmer is a shining example for his players. Watching Trimmer perform at such a high level Saturday after sitting much of his career was inspirational, Walsh said.
Besides his touchdown run and catch, Trimmer added a two-point conversion pass.
"He's handled (sitting behind Smith) with the utmost maturity," Walsh said. "It's a difficult situation. There's only one ball and one quarterback. But he's such a competitor. And such a great athlete. What he did today will never be forgotten."
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