Chatsworth, CA – In a highly anticipated matchup between Serra and Sierra Canyon, the game
started as a defensive slugfest but quickly shifted in Sierra Canyon’s favor as they cruised to a
dominant 30-0 victory.
Serra received the opening kickoff but struggled offensively from the outset, with penalties and
negative plays forcing an early punt. Sierra Canyon capitalized on a strong return by Havon
Finney Jr. and a pair of penalties to enter the red zone, but Serra’s defense held firm, limiting
them to a field goal for an early 3-0 lead. Both defenses continued to shine in the first quarter,
trading big hits, sacks, and forced punts. Serra showed flashes of physicality, particularly on
defense, but couldn’t sustain anything offensively.
The second quarter opened with another strong return from Finney Jr., setting up Sierra Canyon
in prime field position. Quick passes and inside runs led to another red-zone trip, but once again
Serra’s defense stood tall, forcing a second field goal and a 6-0 score. While Sierra Canyon’s
offense showed rhythm, penalties and missed opportunities prevented them from pulling away.
Serra’s offense, meanwhile, remained stagnant, consistently set back by pressure, penalties,
and an aggressive Sierra Canyon front seven. A missed field goal by Sierra Canyon kept Serra
within reach, but a late drive led to a third field goal and a 9-0 halftime lead. Despite the score,
Serra’s defense appeared more impressive through two quarters, keeping the underdogs
competitive.
The second half, however, was a completely different story. Sierra Canyon came out firing with a
30-yard gain, but a fumble inside the 10-yard line gave Serra a chance to flip momentum. That
opportunity was squandered immediately when quarterback Nicholas Johnson threw a pick-six
to Havon Finney Jr., who took it to the house and extended the lead to 16-0. From there, Serra
completely unraveled. The offense went backward on multiple drives, while Sierra Canyon
continued to pound the ball and hit explosive plays. A touchdown run by De’Markus Barnes
made it 23-0, and another interception returned for a touchdown by Myles Baker put the game
out of reach at 30-0.
In the fourth quarter, both teams slowed the pace, but Sierra Canyon’s defense remained
dominant, refusing to allow Serra even a single first down. Multiple fumbles by Sierra Canyon
offered Serra opportunities, but the offense failed to capitalize on any of them. By the end, it was
clear that Sierra Canyon was not only the better team but one capable of suffocating opponents
with defense and capitalizing on mistakes.
The West Coast Sports Media Player of the Game is Havon Finney Jr. A player who made an
impact on three phases of the game while also having the momentum starting pick 6.
Sierra Canyon move on to 6-0 (1-0 League) to play Chaminade back at Home next week
(10/10)
Serra fall to 3-3 (0-1 League) playing Loyola at home next week (10/9)
During the game, unsportsmanlike acts by Sierra Canyon caused the game to stop; these acts
were the entire offense to fake cramps. Throughout the whole game, Serra players were
cramping, especially in the redzone. These players’ cramping could be real, or attempts to slow
down the game. This act caused players and coaches from the Serra sideline to grow restless
and attempt to storm the Sierra Canyon sideline. We at West Coast Sports Media do not
condone any unsportsmanlike or violent behavior.
Ivan Lopez is a San Fernando Valley based reporter with passion in journalism and public speaking based through high school sports. Focusing on player interviews, capturing the emotion that comes with every win and achievement. While being new to sports journalism, Ivan has a deep understanding in presenting in front of different varieties of audiences. Every new project is a new experience for Ivan; being able to adapt when getting thrown into the deep end allows him to capture the importance of each player through first contact and their respective interview.
