Jaden Jefferson and Quentin Hale power Corona Centennial to victory over Servite

By admin — In News — August 21, 2026

   ​Corona Centennial senior quarterback Jaden Jefferson showcased his talents on three plays that didn’t count in the team’s season opener against Servite on Thursday night.First, Jefferson ran from one sideline to the other in the backfield, evading would-be defenders. He finished 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 point, it was becoming ridiculous. So coach Matt Logan decided to do something even more ridiculous with his playcalling.Jefferson threw a lateral to senior wide receiver Gavin Lorge, who threw it back to Jefferson. The QB then slalomed through the entire Servite defense as the first-half clock ran out, finding his way to the end zone. Alas, the touchdown didn’t count because of another penalty.Jefferson had plenty of plays that did count, however, in Centennial’s 41-21 win at Orange Coast College. He completed 19 of 24 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns while adding 88 yards and two touchdowns on the ground in a stunning performance.Read more:Prep talk: Newbury Park offensive tackle Junior Dominguez discovers sport he lovesPerhaps his biggest feat — and one that wasn’t called back — came when he threw out of the end zone and connected with wide receiver Quentin Hale. The USC commit jumped over two defenders, bringing down a one-handed catch. In casual terms, Hale pulled off an Odell Beckham Jr.-style catch while Mossing his opponents. Jefferson, however, is used to pulling off the impossible with Hale, a transfer from Cathedral. “We’ve been making crazy plays our whole life, so it’s nothing new to us,” Jefferson said. Jefferson, who is committed to Hawaii, also connected with Hale on a 46-yard touchdown pass. Hale finished with seven catches for 159 yards and a touchdown. For Servite, it was a difficult night for Rick Garretson, who was making his coaching debut for his alma mater. Garretson was an All-CIF selection his senior year and worked as the passing game coordinator and then offensive coordinator for Servite during a fifteen-year stretch that ended in 2004. Read more:Westlake High kicker Gabriel Goroyan is ready for big momentsBack on the sideline with the Friars for the first time in more than two decades, 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, specifically from senior Isaiah Leilua and junior Allen Kennett. However, Centennial was able to rush for more than 250 yards via a committee that included 67 yards and a touchdown from senior Braylin Drake and another 50 yards from junior Malaki Davis. It wasn’t all negative for Servite, as the team found success through the ground game. Each of the team’s three touchdowns came off the run, and junior r  

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