Football: Servite prevails over Edison, 29-17

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Who needs D.J. Shoemate when you have Greg Portis (pictured)?

Portis, who appears to have inherited the game-breaking skills of his former Servite teammate, scored three touchdowns, including one off a 94-yard kickoff return, to spearhead the No. 7 Friars’ 29-17 comeback victory over No. 11 Huntington Beach Edison (3-1) at Cerritos College.

The senior running back’s big-play knack played a huge role in pushing Servite (3-1) out of its early-game funk. A 44-yard touchdown run by Portis in the second quarter swung the momentum in the Friars’ favor and they never looked back, beating their Orange County Pac-5 Division rivals for the second consecutive year.

Portis finished with 114 yards in 17 carries and Servite quarterback Cody Fajardo completed 13 of 16 passes for 185 yards and a touchdown.

Edison had a chance to take the lead on its final possession, but two dropped passes, including one to wide open receiver Michael Rivera on the Servite 10-yard line, killed a potential rally.

The Chargers got onto the scoreboard first on a 28-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matt Viles to Jeff Crissman, but struggled to find offensive rhythm after its first three possessions.

A 4-yard touchdown run by sophomore running back Davion Orphey midway through the third quarter cut Servite’s lead to 19-17. However, Edison hit another setback on its next possession when Servite defensive back Michael Marcoux recorded his second interception of the night.

Viles completed 22 of 39 passes for 246 yards and a touchdown. Orphey finished with 54 yards in 12 carries.

-- Austin Knoblauch

-- Image by Austin Knoblauch