Serra excelled during virus-marred season

By JOSE NEGRON

jnegron@yourmvi.com

Like most teams around the WPIAL, the fall football season was anything but ordinary for Serra Catholic. 

The Eagles played in just four regular season games after seeing their first three contests canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

After Serra compiled a 4-0 record,  scoring more than 50 points per game, the coronavirus disrupted the season again, forcing the cancellation of games against Apollo-Ridge and Summit Academy. 

Coaches and players were disappointed, but through it all, they remained committed to the program. 

“I think they all handled it really well,” head coach Jose Regus said. “I know they were a little bit frustrated, but we maintained communication with them through meetings and we always tried to make some type of football conversations with them. We just wanted to keep them focused.” 

After a 21-day layoff between games, Serra Catholic returned to the field Oct. 30, facing McGuffey in the quarterfinals of the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs. 

Regus’ group, which was seeded No. 7, hadn’t played since Oct. 9, but found a way to upset the No. 2 Highlanders, 21-14, to earn a trip to the semifinals. The playoff win was Serra’s first since 2017. 

In the semis, Serra scored in bunches, but was on the losing end of a 49-38 decision against No. 3 Sto-Rox. 

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