Servite Bids for County’s No. 1 Ranking

Leo Hand, Servite High School football coach, didn’t attempt to mask his fear about the prospect of his Friars facing La Quinta in the final nonleague game for both teams at 7:30 tonight in Bolsa Grande Stadium.

“We’re setting ourselves up for an upset,” Hand said flatly. “We’ve been flat all week and if we don’t do something about it . . . we’re going to get beat.

“Beating Servite could be a very big turning point for their program, and they are certainly capable of doing that.”

Part of the reason for the Friars’ lull may stem from the fact that they are coming off an emotional, 27-7 victory over Fountain Valley last week, which kept Servite unbeaten at 4-0.

Apparently, not even the prospect of becoming Orange County’s top-rated team has done much to stir the Friars. Servite was ranked second in this week’s Orange County Sportswriters’ Assn. poll behind El Modena, which was upset by Foothill on Thursday night. A win tonight against La Quinta should assure the Friars the No. 1 ranking.

“I don’t think the kids worry about polls too much,” Hand said. “We keep telling them that the only poll that matters is the one at the end of the season. This one doesn’t mean anything.”

Leading Servite’s offense, which has outscored its opponents 107-39, is senior quarterback Tim Rosenkranz. He has passed for 861 yards and 8 touchdowns with just 3 interceptions. Jeff Fieldhouse is the Friars’ leading receiver with 12 catches for 289 yards.

The Aztecs, on the other hand, are more concerned about themselves than they are about their opponent, according to Coach Joe Zeno. Last week, La Quinta (3-1) fumbled away its first four possessions but still managed to defeat Sonora, 22-3.

“We’re more concerned about our team playing well and playing with intensity than anything else,” Zeno said. “We can’t afford to (commit turnovers) against a team like Servite. You just can’t give them any extra opportunities because they’ll take advantage of them.”

The Aztecs will be without the services of tailback Darrel Crain, who reinjured his thigh Tuesday in practice. Bart Recktenwald, who has 311 yards on 31 carries, will be the starting tailback.

In other nonleague action tonight, La Habra will face Loyola at Glendale High and Trabuco Hills will be at Rim of the World.

In an Empire League game, Kennedy will play host to Cypress at Handel Stadium in Anaheim.