Close call: Serra gets a challenge from Valley Christian but survives

In a season filled with blowouts, Serra led by just a point late in third quarter against Valley Christian before prevailing

Even a strong team like Serra rarely goes through an entire season playing at its best in every game.

The Padres had gone 8-0, winning by an average of 35 points per game.

The average score in five West Catholic Athletic League victories was 51-8.

But, against Valley Christian on Friday, the margin was much narrower, as Serra won 24-13 on the road.

Serra held a 14-13 lead with less than two minutes remaining in the third quarter. Then, with 1:27 remaining in the period, quarterback Maealiuaki Smith threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Kyon Loud, making the score 21-13.

With 8:18 remaining in the game, Thomas Gooch hit a 31-yard field goal.

Serra is 9-0, with one game remaining against St. Ignatius at home next Friday.

The Padres will be the No. 1 seed in the Central Coast Section Open/Division I playoffs regardless of the outcome.

While Serra may not have played its best game on Friday, Valley Christian is a proud program that has traditionally competed with the Padres, especially in San Jose.

The Warriors are 5-4 overall and 2-4 in the WCAL, and whether they win or lose next Friday against Mitty, they will be invited to the CCS playoffs.

Valley Christian came into the game against Serra having lost its previous two games by a combined 11 points.

Serra took a 7-0 lead early in the second quarter, but the host Warriors tied it on a short pass from Joseph Stephens to Kai Hamilton.

Serra reclaimed the lead a little more than a minute later on a 21-yard run by Jaden Green, making the score 14-7 at halftime.

Valley Following the intermission, Stephens connected with Jerod White on a 16-yard toss. The extra point was ineffective, allowing Serra to maintain his one-point lead.

Smith’s pass to Loud and Gooch’s extra point made it eight points.

Then, with his field goal, Gooch made it a two-score game.

Serra had the type of victory that usually defines a team having a special season. The Padres were a little off, but they still won by double digits.