The St. Francis High School varsity football team triumphed over host St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy in Downey with a 45-14 nonleague victory on Sept. 8.
Junior quarterback John Sanders delivered five touchdown passes, four of which were caught by senior Preston Jernegan. He also connected with junior Julian Navarro for a 4-yard touchdown. Sanders completed 19 of 24 passes for 178 yards, while Jernegan had seven catches for 84 yards.
In the second quarter, senior John Calmette’s 24-yard touchdown run extended St. Francis’ lead to 19-0. Calmette had an impressive offensive performance, rushing for 106 yards on 12 carries with six receptions for 35 yards. Meanwhile, junior Jamie Lawyer’s interception returned for a touchdown added to the Golden Knights’ defensive highlights.
Despite a convincing victory, St. Francis struggled with extra-point attempts, converting only 3 of 7. The defense, however, thrived, holding St. Pius scoreless in the first quarter while allowing just 86 rushing yards against them throughout the entire game.
The Golden Knights (3-1 overall) will visit Sultana High in Hesperia on Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. before opening Mission League play with a home game against Loyola High of Los Angeles on Sept. 29.
First published in the September 14 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
