The highly anticipated high school football season is just around the corner. The St. Francis High School and Flintridge Prep varsity football squads have diligently prepared for their return to the gridiron, fine-tuning their skills and sharpening their strategies in the offseason.
With the regular season kicking off this month, expectations run high for these teams to showcase their talents.
FLINTRIDGE PREP
Head coach Russell White and the Wolves’ varsity 8-man football team are back on the gridiron, eager to surpass last year’s third-place finish in the Prep League and make a deeper push into the CIF playoffs.
The Wolves concluded the previous season with a solid 6-3 overall record (1-2 in league). While they narrowly triumphed over Valley Christian Academy of Santa Maria in the opening round of the CIF Southern Section postseason, their journey ended in the semifinals against the eventual Division I champions, the California School for the Deaf of Riverside.
Flintridge Prep will rely on key returners like Noah Willingham, Will Grable, Kevin Zhang, Alex Chorba, Owen Willingham and Josh Roberts to build on its successes. These players showcased their talent while contributing significantly to the Wolves’ winning season.
White has set five clear goals for the season: have fun, maintain consistency, remain undefeated, win the league and claim a championship — in that order. Throughout the summer, the Wolves have shown tremendous dedication and focus, signaling a positive shift in tone and focus among the players.
With their sights set on their well-defined goals and a roster of determined players, the Wolves are ready to tackle the new season and to leave their mark on the football field.
Flintridge Prep will open the regular season by hosting Victory Christian Academy of Chula Vista on Saturday, Aug. 26, at 4 p.m. The Wolves will visit Cate High in Carpinteria on Sept. 2 before returning home for a matchup against Mammoth High of Mammoth Lakes on Sept. 8.
ST. FRANCIS
The Golden Knights’ 2022 season culminated in a heartbreaking loss to Etiwanda High of Rancho Cucamonga in the CIF Southern Section Division V championship game. Head coach Dean Herrington and the St. Francis varsity squad are determined to build upon their achievements and replicate last year’s success after securing a co-Angelus League title with a 4-1 record (10-4 overall).
“[We want to] have a good nonleague, win a league championship and make a run in the playoffs,” Herrington said.
To compete for another league title, SFHS faces the challenge of defeating the 2022 co-league champions, Loyola and Cathedral high schools. These pivotal matchups are already circled on Herrington and the Golden Knights’ calendars when league play commences at the end of September. While SFHS secured a convincing 48-39 victory over Cathedral, it was narrowly edged by their rival Loyola 28-27.
The team bid farewell to over 15 seniors last academic year, including standout quarterback Jack Jacobs, as well as Devyn Turner, Jett McCullough, DruShun Phillips, Clint Geryak, Racin Delgatty and Michael Gordo.
In Jacobs’ absence, John Sanders steps into the pocket having served as his primary backup during his sophomore season. Though Sanders saw limited action across seven games, he showcased promise, finishing 8-for-12 passing with 144 yards and two touchdowns in the air while adding 107 yards on 29 carries.
“Sanders will be one of the best in the area,” Herrington said. “[He can] run and pass, he’s super smart and has Bryce Young intangibles.”
Herrington also has high expectations for returners Preston Jernegan, Phillip Ocon and Jamie Lawyer, each bringing valuable experience to the team. Jernegan and Ocon are each two-time All-CIF selections while Herrington describes Lawyer as a Division I prospect.
Jernegan led the team in total tackles with 132 (91 solos, 41 assists) and will look to anchor the defense again this season. Ocon and Lawyer will attempt to build upon their seasons that saw them each record career-best marks in total tackles with 46 and 40, respectively.
St. Francis will begin the regular season with a three-week home stand, starting with an opening-day rematch against Foothill League champion West Ranch High of Valencia Friday at 7 p.m. The Golden Knights will host Mira Costa High of Manhattan Beach on Aug. 25 and Millikan High of Long Beach on Sept. 1.
First published in the August 17 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
