‼️OFFICIAL HIGHLIGHTS‼️ Serra Padres vs Mitty Monarchs | GetSportsFocus

/ Features, GSF Weekly, Highlights / By
vs

Results

Team1234T
Serra7701428
AMHS760013

SERRA PADRES DEFENSE CLOSES STRONG TO DEFEAT MITTY MONARCHS AT FOOTHILL COLLEGE

GSF Weekly Game Recap | Coverage by Kevin Cuenca | Executive Producer: Alf Joaquin

LOS ALTOS HILLS, CA — Back at Foothill College we go. One week after Mitty’s wild finish against the Fightin’ Irish, the Monarchs hosted the Junípero Serra Padres in another GSF-covered Friday night showdown.

Before kickoff, Executive Producer Alf Joaquin reminded fans that nominations are still open for the 4th Annual GSF Senior All-Star Experience — the anti-bullying and suicide-prevention showcase set for December 29th. Serra, as always, brought that same message of unity and brotherhood to the field — and their defense delivered when it mattered most.

FIRST HALF – BACK-AND-FORTH START

The Monarchs opened the game with a statement drive. Joseph Engin, last week’s GSF Game of the Week MVP, led Mitty on a 12-play march that ended with a strike to Kai Sniffen for the opening touchdown.
Lazaro Faraj-Washington, the previous GSF Playmaker of the Week, helped move the chains, and Mitty looked sharp early — up 7-0.

Serra answered right away. After being forced to punt on their first series, the Padres pulled off a fake punt that flipped the energy in the stadium. Andrew Takapautolo tossed it to Brody Smith, who connected with Jace Cannon down inside the red zone.

Two plays later, Malakai Taufoou went under center and flipped it to Iziah Singleton for the equalizer. Saul Marksadded the PAT — 7-7 after one.

Mitty struck again midway through the second quarter when Engin found Lucca Edwards for a 56-yard catch-and-run, setting up another TD toss to Sniffen. Serra answered just before the break — Singleton burst through for a big gain, Henley followed inside the 5, and Taufoou punched it in.

Marks’ PAT was good, giving Serra a 14-13 halftime lead. The Padres’ defense closed the half with a sack by senior Peyton Thomas, shutting down a 52-yard field-goal attempt by Mitty’s Chase Graff.

SECOND HALF – PADRES LOCK IN

Both defenses traded stops through most of the third. Mitty’s best chance came late in the quarter when Sniffen stripped the ball loose for a turnover — a classic hustle play from one of the WCAL’s top two-way athletes.

But Serra’s defensive line — led by Thomas, Lemani Fehoko, and freshman Taupaki Latu — owned the trenches. Early in the fourth, Jeovanni Henley flipped the momentum back with a 16-yard pick-six, his fifth defensive touchdown of the year. Marks drilled the extra point to make it 21-13 Serra with 11:08 remaining.

Moments later, Cornell James came up with another interception — the Padres’ ninth of the season — sealing the defensive statement. Serra capitalized with a short-yardage score by Takapautolo to close it out, 28-13 final.

POSTGAME – DEFENSE WINS IT

After the game, Kevin Cuenca caught up with the Padres, who spoke about focus, energy, and family.

Jeovanni Henley – Junior RB/S

“We wanna win WCAL, go to CCS, and go to state — that’s always been our job,” said Henley.
“I knew I lost some energy for our team earlier, so when I got that pick, I had to bring it back. Once I scored, everyone felt it — the energy shifted. After CJ [Cornell James] got his interception, we knew we were gonna win this game.”

Peyton Thomas – Senior DL

“It was all about energy,” Thomas said. “We didn’t have it early, but once Geo got that pick-six and CJ followed it up, we fed off it. I’ve been with these guys for years — the chemistry is real.”
On teammate Lemani Fehoko: “He practices every day like it’s the Super Bowl. Having him next to me pushes me harder every time.”

Lemani Fehoko – Junior OL/DL

“It was a hard win — both ways,” Fehoko said. “We knew it was gonna be a battle. We just kept pushing and trusting each other. The brotherhood here is real — everybody buys in. When you’re down, your brothers lift you up.”

FINAL STATS

Serra Padres (6-2, 4-0 WCAL)

  • QB Caleb Bandel: 10/11, 62 yds

  • RB Iziah Singleton: 19 car, 116 yds, 2 TD

  • WR/RB Malakai Taufoou: 1 rush TD

  • S Jeovanni Henley: 1 INT TD (16 yds)

  • DL Peyton Thomas: 1 sack, 1 hurry

  • DL Lemani Fehoko: 3 tackles, key run stops

  • CB Cornell James: 1 INT (29 yds)

  • K Saul Marks: 4/4 PAT

Mitty Monarchs (5-3, 3-2 WCAL)

  • QB Joseph Engin: 9/20, 164 yds, 1 TD

  • WR Kai Sniffen: 3 rec, 36 yds, 2 TD

  • WR Lucca Edwards: 3 rec, 79 yds

  • RB Lazaro Faraj-Washington: 17 car, 75 yds

UP NEXT

Serra improves to 4-0 in league play, keeping pace at the top of the WCAL standings. The Padres will host St. Francisnext, while Mitty looks to rebound on the road.

For full coverage, highlights, and nomination links to the GSF Senior All-Star Experience, visit GetSportsFocus.com.