The sight of Serra running back Anterio Bateman limping off the field in the first quarter seemed another ominous sign for a young Serra squad still trying to find its way.
It was as if the football gods were continuing to conspire against a program that has enjoyed so much success in recent years.
Bateman had accounted for 56.4 percent of Serra's offense in its first two games, but did not return after sustaining a right ankle sprain with 2:24 left in the first half.
"It's like there's a small black cloud everywhere we go," Serra coach Scott Altenberg said.
But the little black cloud unleashed a thunderous storm as Serra delivered a decisive 33-0 nonleague victory over visiting Mira Costa on Friday night.
Quarterback Jalen Greene and running back Ronnie Vaughn delivered big plays and gave a glimpse into how much potential Serra has, assuming more players don't go down with injuries.
"We're young, and we keep getting younger," an exasperated Altenberg said.
Serra has experienced something of an epidemic.
Artis Perez, recovering from a neck injury sustained in last year's semifinal, had appeared to be on track to return as the starting outside linebacker. But doctors before the season said he was just 70 percent recovered and shut him down for the season.
Another linebacker, Malachi Mageo, was stabbed at a party in Carson the day before fall camp began and lost a kidney.
Serra's top lineman, Inoke Raikardroka, tore his medial cruciate ligament at practice around Labor Day and is out for four to six weeks.
Then UCLA-bound Raymond Ford sustained possible torn tendons in his right ankle in the season opener. He tried to return against Redondo last week, but is awaiting a third evaluation and did not play against Mira Costa. He is out a minimum of two more weeks and possibly could be lost for the season, Altenberg said.
Then there was Bateman, nicknamed "Taz" after the Tazmanian Devil because of his speed.
"And these are guys we're counting on at each of our positions," Altenberg said.
Bateman walked off the field on his own power, but was carried to the locker room at halftime. He said he will be re-evaluated today by a doctor and is hopeful he can return next week.
"I was very frustrated I had to go out, but I was so proud of my team. Real proud," said Bateman, who had a 55-yard scoring run before his injury. "That was exciting to watch those guys step up."
Serra (2-1) certainly vented its frustration against Mira Costa (1-2), holding the Mustangs to just 105 total yards.
Quarterback Alex Cuevas threw three interceptions, including one picked off in the end zone by Glen Ihenacho. Chandler Hawkins and Patrick Wooten also had interceptions.
The ultimate indignity came late in the game when Brandon Edmond took a punt, reversed field, made some spectacular moves to break free, only to fumble 20 yards later.
"I wish I could give you some juicy quotes, but they just snuffed us out," Mira Costa coach Don Morrow said. "That was not a very good game by us. We got our tails whipped."
Greene picked apart Mira Costa's defense, completing 14 of 21 for 172 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. His 52-yard pass up the middle to Ricardo Rijo put Serra on the scoreboard on the first series, setting the tone.
Considering Greene threw for just 8 yards in his first varsity game in the season-opening loss to Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks, he looked much more in command.
"It slowed down for me tonight," Greene said. "I was a lot more relaxed and I read my plays better.
"It was great to win. I was a little surprised by the score, but I knew we'd come out and play hard. We were not going to lose twice at home."
Vaughn did most of the damage in the backfield in Bateman's absence, racking up 93 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries.
Vaughn dived into the end zone for an 11-yard scoring run near the end of the first half that gave Serra a commanding 27-0 lead.
"It was my time to shine. I had to do it," said Vaughn, a transfer from Venice. "I thought I was going to play free safety tonight, but I had to stay focused. I hit the holes hard and did what I had to do to help our team."
Another transfer, Thomas Brown (St. Anthony) added two scoring runs, including the final death blow - a 1-yard scoring run in the third quarter.
Serra totaled 373 yards on the night.
"I'll tell you what, there's still some serious talent on this squad," Altenberg said. "Our frosh/soph and JV teams were very good. They did not lose very much. And our young quarterback Jalen can play football.
"We finally showed what we're capable of on offense. It was like old times."
It was as if the football gods were continuing to conspire against a program that has enjoyed so much success in recent years.
Bateman had accounted for 56.4 percent of Serra's offense in its first two games, but did not return after sustaining a right ankle sprain with 2:24 left in the first half.
"It's like there's a small black cloud everywhere we go," Serra coach Scott Altenberg said.
But the little black cloud unleashed a thunderous storm as Serra delivered a decisive 33-0 nonleague victory over visiting Mira Costa on Friday night.
Quarterback Jalen Greene and running back Ronnie Vaughn delivered big plays and gave a glimpse into how much potential Serra has, assuming more players don't go down with injuries.
"We're young, and we keep getting younger," an exasperated Altenberg said.
Serra has experienced something of an epidemic.
Artis Perez, recovering from a neck injury sustained in last year's semifinal, had appeared to be on track to return as the starting outside linebacker. But doctors before the season said he was just 70 percent recovered and shut him down for the season.
Another linebacker, Malachi Mageo, was stabbed at a party in Carson the day before fall camp began and lost a kidney.
Serra's top lineman, Inoke Raikardroka, tore his medial cruciate ligament at practice around Labor Day and is out for four to six weeks.
Then UCLA-bound Raymond Ford sustained possible torn tendons in his right ankle in the season opener. He tried to return against Redondo last week, but is awaiting a third evaluation and did not play against Mira Costa. He is out a minimum of two more weeks and possibly could be lost for the season, Altenberg said.
Then there was Bateman, nicknamed "Taz" after the Tazmanian Devil because of his speed.
"And these are guys we're counting on at each of our positions," Altenberg said.
Bateman walked off the field on his own power, but was carried to the locker room at halftime. He said he will be re-evaluated today by a doctor and is hopeful he can return next week.
"I was very frustrated I had to go out, but I was so proud of my team. Real proud," said Bateman, who had a 55-yard scoring run before his injury. "That was exciting to watch those guys step up."
Serra (2-1) certainly vented its frustration against Mira Costa (1-2), holding the Mustangs to just 105 total yards.
Quarterback Alex Cuevas threw three interceptions, including one picked off in the end zone by Glen Ihenacho. Chandler Hawkins and Patrick Wooten also had interceptions.
The ultimate indignity came late in the game when Brandon Edmond took a punt, reversed field, made some spectacular moves to break free, only to fumble 20 yards later.
"I wish I could give you some juicy quotes, but they just snuffed us out," Mira Costa coach Don Morrow said. "That was not a very good game by us. We got our tails whipped."
Greene picked apart Mira Costa's defense, completing 14 of 21 for 172 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. His 52-yard pass up the middle to Ricardo Rijo put Serra on the scoreboard on the first series, setting the tone.
Considering Greene threw for just 8 yards in his first varsity game in the season-opening loss to Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks, he looked much more in command.
"It slowed down for me tonight," Greene said. "I was a lot more relaxed and I read my plays better.
"It was great to win. I was a little surprised by the score, but I knew we'd come out and play hard. We were not going to lose twice at home."
Vaughn did most of the damage in the backfield in Bateman's absence, racking up 93 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries.
Vaughn dived into the end zone for an 11-yard scoring run near the end of the first half that gave Serra a commanding 27-0 lead.
"It was my time to shine. I had to do it," said Vaughn, a transfer from Venice. "I thought I was going to play free safety tonight, but I had to stay focused. I hit the holes hard and did what I had to do to help our team."
Another transfer, Thomas Brown (St. Anthony) added two scoring runs, including the final death blow - a 1-yard scoring run in the third quarter.
Serra totaled 373 yards on the night.
"I'll tell you what, there's still some serious talent on this squad," Altenberg said. "Our frosh/soph and JV teams were very good. They did not lose very much. And our young quarterback Jalen can play football.
"We finally showed what we're capable of on offense. It was like old times."
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Source: By Tony Ciniglio, Daily Breeze Staff Writer