The St. Francis High School varsity football team secured a thrilling Angeles League victory over host Paraclete High in Lancaster, winning 28-21 in double overtime on Oct. 6.
Despite their first-half shutout, the Golden Knights made a strong second-half comeback to preserve their unbeaten 2-0 league record (6-1 overall).
SFHS tied the score at 7-7 with 6:13 left in the third quarter when John Sanders executed a 1-yard rushing touchdown.
In the fourth quarter, the Golden Knights grabbed their first lead with 7:20 remaining as junior Isaac Fajardo ran for an 8-yard touchdown. However, with under three minutes to go, Paraclete responded with a 35-yard touchdown, forcing the game into overtime.
During the first overtime period, Paraclete went ahead with a 1-yard rushing touchdown on fourth-and-goal. St. Francis, starting at the 35-yard line, forced the game into a second overtime when Fajardo scored his second rushing touchdown of the game on a 6-yard carry.
The Golden Knights had the first possession in the second overtime period, and Sanders scored his second touchdown with another 1-yard carry. On Paraclete’s subsequent possession, the Golden Knights’ defense forced a challenging fourth-and-20 situation, sealing the victory when Paraclete’s pass was batted down in the end zone.
SFHS will host Cathedral High of Los Angeles for a league game on Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. before visiting Crespi High in Encino on Oct. 20.
First published in the October 12 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
