Defense carries Serra Catholic over Yough

By: Jeremy Tepper
Saturday, August 24, 2019 | 12:06 AM

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As Serra Catholic and Yough took the field for a Week Zero matchup, both did so facing similar questions.

Youth and inexperience abound for both teams, especially on offense, as both are breaking in new quarterbacks. Similarly, both teams have a bit more talent and experience on defense.

Those predicted weaknesses and strengths reared their heads Friday, but the Eagles found a way to battle through, taking down Yough, 9-0, behind a stellar effort by its defense.

“There were a lot of jitters. There were a lot of kids that it was their first time starting on the varsity level,” Serra coach Jose Regus said. “We don’t play a lot of seniors. We play maybe three or four seniors at a time.

“Week to week, we have to play hard, and as a young team, we have to mature.”

Early on, the inexperience and jitters were apparent on both sides. During one stretch in the first quarter, three consecutive drives ended on turnovers. Yough’s Cody Bogac picked off Max Rocco, only to be followed by an interception by Serra Catholic’s Terrell Booth before Jahvon Holt fumbled to give the ball right back.

The Eagles soon started to take control in the second quarter but were unable to capitalize on prime opportunities, as Bogac picked Rocco off again at the 1-yard line. Serra Catholic’s Joe Filino missed a 34-yard field goal on the next drive.

A struggling offense was given reprieve eventually, as Nate Greenlee tackled Yough quarterback Tristan Waldier in the end zone for a safety.

That lead was boosted early in the third quarter when Holt broke a 52-yard run, and Machai Brooks finished off the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run. Holt, a sophomore receiver, was a bright spot for an otherwise sputtering offense, using speed and elusiveness to take eight carries for 128 yards.

“However they can get the ball to me, I’ll take it and make it happen,” Holt said.

Added Regus: “He definitely showed that with the ball in his hands, he’s dangerous.”

That lead proved to be more than enough for Serra Catholic, as its defense continued to clamp down, swarming Yough’s backfield to secure double digit sacks and tackles for loss. Paul Pearson, a sophomore defensive end, sacked Waldier seven times and overall contributed to a ever-collapsing pocket. Waldier completed 6 of 11 passes for 38 yards and threw one interception before suffering an injury in the fourth quarter.

“We always feel a little more comfortable with our defense. Defense wins championships,” Regus said. “I liked the pressure. We had some turnovers, quite a few sacks, quite a few tackles for loss. The defense put out a real good effort.”

Alternatively, Yough’s offense struggled as a result of the pressure and the inexperience of a new quarterback and five new offensive linemen. The Cougars would generate a few good chances in the final quarter, but those chances fell by the wayside.

In one instance, Yough took over at Serra Catholic’s 9-yard line after a botched snap on a punt, but that opportunity produced a 26-yard field goal attempt that was missed. In another instance, Samuel Dippolito recovered a fumble at the Eagles 6-yard line, but that opportunity, too, was derailed, as penalties and a sack drove Yough back to the 38.

Yough managed just 68 yards to Serra Catholic’s 263.

“Our defense played a heck of a game. Our defense did real well, but our offense just didn’t have it tonight,” Yough coach Scott Wood said. “We’re a young group. We have a sophomore quarterback. Whenever you have that, you know you’re going to make mistakes. You know that things are not going to go your way all the time.”

Tags: Serra Catholic, Yough