Jaden Jefferson powers Corona Centennial to

Corona Centennial senior quarterback Jaden Jefferson showcased his abilities on three performs that didn’t depend in the crew’s season opener against Servite on Thursday evening.

First, Jefferson ran from one sideline to the other in the backfield, evading would-be defenders. He completed the run at the one-yard line before a holding call gave Servite a respite.

On the next play, Jefferson threw the ball into the chest of a receiver at the one-yard line, only for another holding penalty to negate the play.

At this level, it was changing into ridiculous. So coach Matt Logan determined to do one thing even more ridiculous with his playcalling.

Jefferson threw a lateral to senior broad receiver Gavin Lorge, who threw it back to Jefferson. The QB then slalomed through your entire Servite protection as the first-half clock ran out, discovering his manner to the end zone. Alas, the landing didn’t depend because of another penalty.

Jefferson had lots of performs that did depend, however, in Centennial’s 41-21 win at Orange Coast College. He accomplished 19 of 24 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns while including 88 yards and two touchdowns on the ground in a beautiful efficiency.

Perhaps his largest feat — and one that wasn’t called back — got here when he threw out of the end zone and linked with broad receiver Quentin Hale. The USC commit jumped over two defenders, bringing down a one-handed catch.

In informal phrases, Hale pulled off an Odell Beckham Jr.-style catch while Mossing his opponents.

Jefferson, however, is used to pulling off the inconceivable with Hale, a switch from Cathedral.

“We’ve been making crazy plays our whole life, so it’s nothing new to us,” Jefferson said.

Jefferson, who is dedicated to Hawaii, also linked with Hale on a 46-yard landing move. Hale completed with seven catches for 159 yards and two touchdowns.

For Servite, it was a troublesome evening for Rick Garretson, who was making his teaching debut for his alma mater. Garretson was an All-CIF choice his senior yr and labored as the passing recreation coordinator and then offensive coordinator for Servite during a fifteen-year stretch that ended in 2004.

Back on the sideline with the Friars for the first time in more than 20 years, Garretson said Servite needed to be strong in the trenches in order to win. “That’s how this sport is won and lost,” he said.

Garretson was counting on strong performances from the linebacker group, particularly from senior Isaiah Leilua and junior Allen Kennett. However, Centennial was in a position to rush for more than 250 yards via a committee that included 67 yards and a landing from senior Braylin Drake and another 50 yards from junior Malaki Davis.

It wasn’t all detrimental for Servite, as the crew discovered success through the ground recreation. Each of the crew’s three touchdowns got here off the run, and junior operating back Jorden Wells dominated, gaining 110 yards and scoring a 55-yard landing.

JSerra switch Gino Wang made his debut at quarterback for Servite, and the junior signal-caller confirmed flashes of what may come this season, making a number of incisive passes and pulling off a big 20-yard run on fourth down. Those successes, however, have been sporadic and he finally had a shaky efficiency, finishing 14 of 29 passes for 90 yards.

There was a temporary glimmer of hope Servite would come back when it scored a landing to make the rating 34-21 with 5 minutes left. However, a roughing the kicker call on a Centennial punt ended Servite’s hopes of a rally. It was a irritating end to a irritating recreation for Garretson.

For Logan, it was a great start to the season — though his annoyance with Centennial’s offensive penalties was palpable.

Still, the Centennial coach, who has gained more than 300 video games and 10 Southern Section division championships, was happy with what he noticed from Jefferson and Hale, maybe the most proficient duo he has ever coached.

“Our quarterback is absolutely dynamic, and [Hale] is unbelievable,” Logan said. “If you were gonna build a receiver on a Madden game, he’d be the guy.”

Centennial could have some on-field self-discipline points to work out as the season progresses, but with Jefferson, Hale and lots of other offensive weapons, it could possibly be in for another spectacular season.