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Sports

FOOTBALL: Serra Runs over SHC

Padres total 415 rushing yards in WCAL road win, but lose star runner Wilson to injury.

The Score: Serra 35, Sacred Heart Cathedral 14.

The Star: Padres fullback Alex Bravo stepped up to carry the load after star running back Erich Wilson left with a shoulder injury in the first quarter. Bravo carried 30 times for 183 yards and four touchdowns in the West Catholic Athletic League game.

The Turning Point: With Sacred Heart Cathedral leading 14-13 in the third quarter, Serra battered and bruised the Fightin' Irish on a 14-play, 80-yard touchdown drive and successful two-point conversion. The Padres only added to the lead after that.

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The Quote: "We had a rough game last week. The energy on the sidelines was better (this week). You have to have a short memory in the WCAL." -- Serra coach Patrick Walsh, on rebounding from last week's 52-23 loss at Valley Christian.

What's Next? Serra hosts St. Francis on Oct. 16 at 1 p.m. In the battle of Peninsula rivals, the loser will fall to 1-2 in the WCAL, likely ending any hopes of a league title.

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The Bottom Line: Despite losing leading rusher Erich Wilson to a shoulder injury in the first quarter, Serra dominated Sacred Heart Cathedral with a running game that totaled 415 yards. In addition to standout fullback Alex Bravo, the Padres turned to a collection of runners that included fleet-footed sophomore Eric Redwood.

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Having been pummeled by Valley Christian High a week ago, Serra looked to bounce back and it did so in a big way. The visiting Padres trailed at halftime but turned it around in the second half to defeat Sacred Heart Cathedral 35-14 at Kezar Stadium in a West Catholic Athletic League game on Saturday afternoon.

"We had a rough game last week," Serra coach Patrick Walsh said of the 52-23 loss at Valley Christian. "The energy on the sidelines was better (this week). You have to have a short memory in the WCAL."

Serra (3-2, 1-1 WCAL) also had to utilize its short memory during the game when running back Erich Wilson went down with a shoulder injury on the opening drive and didn't return. There was no immediate update on his condition afterwards.

Entering the week, Wilson was tied for the WCAL lead in rushing with Byron Marshall of Valley Christian (604 yards).

Multiple Padres stepped up, none more than Alex Bravo. The fullback finished with 30 carries for 183 yards and four touchdowns.

Sophomore running back Eric Redwood also had a huge game in Wilson's absence. He ran for 115 yards on 17 carries.

Serra totaled 415 yards on 70 carries.

"One person goes down, we have to play as a team," Bravo said.

Despite the collective effort against SHC (3-2, 0-2), Wilson's injury could play a major factor in Serra's Oct. 16 home game against rival St. Francis (3-1-1, 1-1).

Less than three minutes into the game, the Padres drew first blood on a 13-yard touchdown run by Bravo.

With the Padres leading 13-7 late in the second quarter, SHC scored with 37 seconds remaining on a three-yard run by quarterback Sean Murphy to go ahead 14-13 -- its only lead of the game.

Murphy entered the game leading the WCAL in passing yards with 842. He was held to 10-for-22 passing for 88 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.

"(Murphy) started rushing throws," said SHC coach John Lee. "He's a great kid and doing great until now." Lee also believed his team was mentally frustrated in the second half.

SHC was held to 58 yards of offense in the second half and 222 yards for the game.

Serra put together four drives of 60 yards or more, all of which came from the running game. The Padres threw one pass the entire game in recording their third straight win over SHC.

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Serra 35, Sacred Heart Cathedral 14

Serra -- 7 6 8 14 -- 35

SHC -- 7 7 0 0 -- 14

Serra – Bravo 13 run (Toms kick)

SHC – Grass 8 pass from Murphy (Harrington kick)

Serra – Bravo 1 run (kick failed)

SHC – Murphy 3 run (Harrington kick)

Serra – Bravo 1 run (Vincent pass from McAlindon)

Serra – McAlindon 1 run (Toms kick)

Serra – Bravo 1 run (Toms kick)

RUSHING:  Serra: Wilson 3-41, Bravo 30-183, Redwood 17-115, Timko 8-60, McAlindon 4-4-1, Erdle 6-8, Romeo 1-2, Falk 1-2. Totals: 70-415.  SHC: Miles 10-46, Murphy 11-86, Gomes 1-2.  Totals: 22-134.

PASSING:  Serra: McAlindon 0-1-1-0.  SHC: Murphy 10-22-1-88.

RECEIVING:  SHC: O'Driscoll 2-19, John 3-29, Miles 1-3, Parker 1-9, Grass 1-8-1, Tapel 2-10. Totals: 10-88.

FUMBLES/LOST:  Serra 1/1. SHC 1/0.

RECORDS:  Serra 3-2, 1-1 WCAL. Sacred Heart Cathedral 3-2, 0-2.

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