In its only allotted annual evening home game in San Mateo, Serra was able to pull away to a 32-20 victory over St. Ignatius. After going winless in their first two games, Serra is now 3-2 and undefeated in two league games. Conversely, the Wildcats started with three wins but have lost both of their WCAL games to also stand at 3-2 overall.
The Wildcats have not won against the Padres since 2005 and started the game with a fumbled kickoff that resulted in a Dominic Scarpino touchdown return for a 6-0 Serra advantage. St. Ignatius would drive their second possession for a 23-yard scoring pass from Ryan Hagfeldt to Dylan Elder. The Wildcats would extend the lead to 10-6 with a 36-yard field goal to end the quarter. Serra would counter with Sitaleki Nunn's two touchdown runs of 63 and nine yards respectively to end the half with a 19-10 advantage.
Serra's opening third quarter possession was an interception returned for a score by the Wildcats to cut the deficit to 19-17. The Wildcats had a chance to take the lead but missed on their field goal attempt. The Padres would drive 80 yards capped by Kelepi Lataimua's 22-yard touchdown run to give Serra the 26-17 margin after three quarters. The Wildcats would narrow the deficit with a field goal but Nunn would run 75 yards to cap the Serra scoring with the 32-20 win.
Serra was breaking in transfer quarterback Hunter Bishop who statistically did not have a great game but shows good size, has good arm strength, and is mobile. He replaces Nunn who provides an explosive running option in the backfield as opening season starter Kava Cassidy was lost to a collarbone injury in their second game. The Serra defense is versatile and quick as the unit registered five sacks and two interceptions. The special teams recovered a kickoff for a touchdown but also missed two PATs.
The Wildcats could not muster a running game with -8 yards rushing and that lack of balance put constant pressure on the Wildcat passing game. When given time, Hagfeldt was accurate with his passing. The defense gave up big running scores just like they did against Bellarmine in their previous game.
Creighton Felise 5-foot-10, 230 pounds DL Serra (2015): Felise is an undersized lineman but showed quickness in registering 2.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles in the game. Felise could move to the linebacker role in college if he has enough lateral movement and cover skills.
Ryan Hagfeldt 6-foot-3, 195 pounds QB St. Ignatius (2015): Hagfeldt was under duress in the second half and could not get into a rhythm. He accounted for the only offensive touchdown but also threw two interceptions. The Wildcats will need to have a more consistent running attack to give Hagfeldt more time.
Hunter Bishop 6-foot-3, 180 pounds QB Serra (2016): Statistically, Bishop had an off game as he had two interceptions too. He displayed mobility and leadership while having the arm strength to make all the throws, albeit they were not always accurate. If the running game can be this effective, Bishop should eventually ease into a comfort zone.
Sitaleki Nunn 5-foot-10, 160 pounds RB Serra (2017): The sophomore ran for 207 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries. He switched from quarterback to running back and will have a big role on the offense going forward. Coming into the game, he led the team in rushing with 160 yards and likely will be the leading rusher for the season.
Jack Dreyer 6-foot-8, 290 pounds OT Serra (2015): The Stanford commit just stands out with his height and size on the field. Nunn's long runs came on the left side, which is also the side that Dreyer mans.
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