No. 9 Servite (5-4, 0-2) vs. Santa Margarita (6-3, 1-1)

7:30 TONIGHT SADDLEBACK COLLEGE

Servite must win to force a coin flip to determine one of the Serra League’s two automatic playoff berths. Each team has been a model of inconsistency. The Friars, who defeated Tustin, Esperanza and La Puente Bishop Amat, have lost two in a row, including an upset at the hands of Bellflower St. John Bosco. Santa Margarita, the county’s winningest program, tumbled out of the county top 10 this week. Chris Rix, who has signed with Florida State, has struggled and, after last week’s 34-0 loss to Mater Dei, dropped out of the county’s top 35 passing leaders. A loss by the Eagles endangers their playoff hopes.

KEY PLAYERS

Servite

RB Chad Bystedt

6.0 yds. per carry, 10 TDs

QB Adam Ernst

46.1%, 11 TDs, 8 ints.

WR Brendan Hopkins

21 rec., 18.7 yds. per catch

Santa Margarita

WR Dustin Creager

28 rec., 15.9 yds. per catch

RB Jimmy Herzog

806 yds., 5.8 per carry

QB Chris Rix

47.1%, 3 TDs, 8 ints.