Serra uses speed to race past Shady Side Academy

By JEREMY TEPPER

MVI Sports

Before Friday’s game started, wide receiver Jayvon Holt knew that he and his Serra Catholic teammates had a distinct, important advantage.

“We’re gonna be faster than any team we play,” Holt said.

That played out on the field against Shady Side Academy. Serra Catholic (3-0, 1-0) physically dominated the Indians (0-2, 0-1) in a 54-14 victory. The Eagles were just better top to bottom, outgaining Shady Side Academy, 553 to 158.

“We just did an outstanding job today and did what we wanted to do,” said Eagles coach Jose Regus. “We accomplished a lot of things, and our defense really sets the tone for the game.”

Through Regus’ tenure, the Eagles’ defense has often led the way. This season the offense has caught up, and maybe even surpassed that unit. Serra Catholic has started the season with three straight games of 50-plus points. 

Machai Brooks ran for 147 yards and three touchdowns. Holt caught three passes for 122 yards and a touchdown, and had a pick-six. Terrell Booth had a 63-yard touchdown catch. Max Rocco completed just six passes, but threw for 269 yards. All night, Serra Catholic gashed the Indians for big gains.

“We have a lot of guys that are able to score,” Regus said “They’re all dangerous with the ball in their hands. We have a few more athletes than we usually have.”

Serra Catholic started the scoring midway through the first quarter when Holt jumped a route, intercepted it and took it 37 yards to the end zone. Three minutes later, in a drive aided by penalties, Shady Side Academy tied the score, as Joey Bellinotti caught a screen pass and ran 14 yards for a touchdown.

That was the last touchdown the Indians were able to get until garbage time, as Serra Catholic railed off 47 unanswered points. 

Holt toasted a defender for a 74-yard touchdown catch, giving the Eagles a 13-7 lead after a quarter. Then Brooks ran it in twice from three and 20 yards out and Paul Pearson scored from 20 yards out in a 21-0 second quarter. Touchdowns by Booth and Zack Weber activated the mercy rule late in the third quarter.

“We feel like we have more athletes and we’re able to work around what we got,” Holt said. “It’s hard to game plan against us.”

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