Once again, Anaheim Servite High running back Greg Portis illustrated why he's one of the most feared playmakers in Southern California on Friday night.
Portis scored the go-ahead touchdown on an 80-yard run late in the third quarter as Servite, ranked No. 18 in the Southland by The Times, overcame a slow second-half start to beat No. 7 Orange Lutheran, 14-10, at Cal State Fullerton.
Portis ran untouched to the end zone on his game-clinching score, taking advantage of a blitzing Lancers defense that completely overshot the ball. The senior finished with a game-high 153 yards in 20 carries as the Friars (5-3, 2-1) moved into a three-way tie for second place in the Trinity League with St. John Bosco (7-1, 2-1) and Lutheran (6-2, 2-1) behind Santa Ana Mater Dei (6-2, 3-0).
It marked Servite's third consecutive victory over Lutheran.
An interception by Lutheran's Davonte Anderson gave the Lancers one last chance with 5 minutes 49 seconds left in the game. The Lancers drove to the Servite 20-yard line, but a holding penalty and two incomplete passes killed the Lancers' comeback hopes.
Servite quarterback Cody Fajardo completed eight of 11 passes for 52 yards and a touchdown, which came on a 27-yard pass to tight end Anthony Ferraro in the first quarter.
Lutheran quarterback Bobby Wheatley connected on 16 of 22 passes for 166 yards. Running back Kyle Dravis scored on a 40-yard run on the opening possession of the third quarter for the Lancers and finished with 89 yards in 14 carries.
Parker Flynn kicked a 44-yard field goal for Lutheran as time expired in the first half.
-- Austin Knoblauch
Miller prevails with defense
Host Fontana Miller (8-0, 5-0) moved into position to win the Citrus Belt League title with an 18-15 victory over No. 13 Redlands East Valley (7-1, 4-1).
"I have to keep these kids' heads up," said Wildcats Coach Kurt Bruich, whose team had not lost to Miller since 2001. "They're not used to losing."
The Wildcats tried some last-minute heroics, as Wildcats quarterback Tyler Shreve connected with wide receiver Gary Walker on a 30-yard touchdown pass with 1:08 remaining. Shreve found Walker in the end zone for the two-point conversion, making it 18-15. The Wildcats tried an onside kick, but Miller's Jonathan Koop recovered the ball at the 42-yard line.
