Newcomer Servite Wins Sunset League Title

COSTA MESA — The words Servite and Sunset League football champion can now be used in the same sentence.

Servite, which previously competed in the Angelus League, routed Santa Ana, 35-7, Friday night at Orange Coast College to earn the Sunset League title in the Friars’ first season in a public school league.

The Friars will have a home-field advantage in the first round of the Southern Section Division II playoffs next week.

Servite (8-1-1, 6-1) scored on the game’s first play from scrimmage, when quarterback Eric Hannah hit wide receiver Julian Jones on a quick slant over the middle. Jones caught the ball on the run and went 65 yards untouched to give Servite a 7-0 lead.

The early barrage continued when Hannah hit Ryan Popovich with a 17-yard touchdown pass with 4 minutes, 16 seconds left in the first quarter. Two minutes later, Popovich’s one-yard touchdown run put Servite in control with a 21-0 lead.

Hannah threw for 218 yards in the game, including 202 in the first half, and hit Kyle Frank with a 16-yard scoring pass early in the third quarter. Hannah’s favorite target was Steve Correa, who finished with five receptions for 101 yards and also returned a punt 47 yards for a touchdown.