Serra Beats Oakdale 42-15 for Second State Title

Story by L.T.Willis

Serra's #21Marques Rodgers. Photo by William Johnson/T.G.Sports.

Gardena Serra (14-2) finish the season as the CIF Division II State Champs after beating Oakdale (14-2) 42-15 for their second state title since 2009. Serra offensive weapons took their offense to new heights in the championship game  at the Home Depot Center in Carson. When Serra's quarterback Jalen Rose plays mistake free football, Serra normally comes out on top with a victory, and the fire works started early for the Cavaliers. Marques Rodgers started the scoring frenzy with a 27 yard rushing touchdown to give Serra a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.

Marques Rodgers was just warming up when he broke for a 57 yard touchdown run and before you knew it, Oakdale was down 14-0. The Mustangs so far didn't have a answer  for stopping Serra running game, and Marques Rodgers wouldn't be denied his third touchdown of the night, which came with seconds left in the first quarter, scored on a 1 yard touchdown run and now Serra led 21-0.

While Serra's defense was keeping Oakdale scoreless, another weapon for Serra Adoree' Jackson lit up the score board with a 50 yard touchdown pass from Jalen Rose late in the second quarter to increase their lead to 28-0. At this point of the game Serra was just doing anything they wanted to do on offense, and Oakdale had no answer on how to stop them.

The half time score was 35-0 after Adoree' Jackson scored again from 27 yards out and the Serra fans were already celebrating their second football championship. A very impressive first half that sent a message that Serra was back and would be a team for next season to recon with, and a defense that prove they can play with best of them.

Serra's #18 Adoree' Jackson. Photo by William Johnson/T.G.Sports.

The third quarter wasn't any better for the Mustangs, after forcing the Cavaliers into a fourth and thirty one, Adoree' Jackson scored from 78 yards on a fake punt, and now Serra led Oakdale 42-0. The Mustangs finally got on the board under a minute in the third quarter after a 3 yard run from Nikk Ryan, and the two point conversion by Spencer Thomas was good, now trail 42-8.

Oakdale got on the board one more time after a 2 yard touchdown run by Marcus Northcutt, as Serra went on to beat Oakdale in the CIF Division II Championship Game 42-15. Marques Rodgers finish the night with 389 yards and 3 touchdowns. Jalen Green was 7 of 13 for 141 yards and 2 touchdowns.