Pete Lavorato, The King’s Academy football coach, returned to Sacred Heart Prep on Friday night for the first time since he departed after the 2016 season. Lavorato built the Gator program, leading it to five Central Coast Section championships and two state finals, and there were plenty of old friends, alumni and coaching friends to greet him prior to the game.

But once the game started, it was Sacred Heart Prep that did the celebrating as the Gators throttled the previously unbeaten Knights, 24-9. The victory put Sacred Heart (6-2, 3-1) in second place in the Bay Division of the Peninsula Athletic League and dropped TKA to 7-1, 2-1.

The Gators played without two-way standout Tevita Moimoi, who was resting an arm contusion, until there was 8:10 remaining in the game and the Gators were trying to fend off the late charging Knights. TKA had scored its lone touchdown with 9:47 left, but missed the two-point conversion. A TKA stop would give the Knights a chance at tying. 

Enter Moimoi. The senior pushed for runs of 8, 8 and 7 as the Gators ate clock until a fumble at the 8 gave TKA another chance. On the next play Will Mackey blindsided Knight QB Antonio Gonzales, forcing a fumble the Gators recovered. Moments later, Moimoi plunged in from the 3 for the final score with 2:36 remaining. 

“Moimoi was not feeling 100 percent and we were playing well so we kept him out,” SHP coach Mark Grieb explained. “But at that time of the game, it was make or break."

In Moimoi’s absence, running backs Alec Tonas and Tatufu Mahoni stepped up. Both scored touchdowns and combined for 114 yards on 20 carries.

The success of Tonas and Mahoni was not only due to their hard running, but the effort of the offensive line. The line consistently pushed back the TKA defense allowing SHP to march steadily and eat clock.

“They’ve played great all year and it’s been a mix of different guys at different times,” Grieb said. “So many guys played big.”

Moimoi’s absence also created a void on defense, where he excels at linebacker. But the Gators’ depth was on full display. SHP didn’t allow TKA’s big-play offense to get going. The Knights were limited to 37 yards on the ground and stopped for losses on five of their 25 tries.

“I thought last week (against Menlo-Atherton) was impressive how we flew to the ball,” Grieb said. “It was the same again this week. Alejandro Torres, J.P. Frimel , Ben Ramsey were outstanding. They stepped up. Those guys (TKA) are fast and talented and you have to shut them down. “

The Gators did just that, defending their home and spoiling Lavorato’s return.

“I have so much respect for Pete,” Grieb said. “It’s fun to coach against him because you know you’ll be playing against a great team.”