Weekly Football Previews: St. Francis looks to fend off upstart La Salle
Following the first week of Angelus League play, it’s clear that some things have changed.
However, most still believe St. Francis High and Cathedral are on a collision course for the league crown. But the teams will meet in the league finale so plenty still lies ahead for the Golden Knights and a first-place matchup against La Salle is first on deck at 7 p.m. Friday at La Salle.
More dazzling Angelus League debuts have been had for St. Francis than Friday’s 24-7 win at Friedman Field over St. Paul, but it was still very much a lopsided victory for the Golden Knights that began their quest for a league crown in earnest and maintained a perfect record.
St. Francis (6-0, 1-0 in league), ranked fifth in CIF Southern Section Division III, saw running backs Elijah Washington and Kevin Armstead each hit 90 yards rushing as the two-headed running attack continues to be a huge weapon for the Golden Knights.
Meanwhile, quarterback Darius Perrantes returned after missing a game and change with an injury, so things are looking good for the Knights as they travel to face La Salle (3-3, 1-0 in league).
The Lancers are coming off of a league-opening 51-7 victory against Salesian.
St. Francis is a perfect 3-0 against La Salle since the rebirth of the Angelus League in 2014, but the Lancers have provided a closer outcome each season, including last year’s 38-28 loss.
Washington has rushed for seven touchdowns, while Armstead has added five and the two have combined for nearly 500 yards.
Perrantes has tossed 10 touchdowns, four of them to Blake Howard.
Monrovia at La Cañada, 7 p.m. Friday: A year ago, the Spartans lost to Monrovia, 13-8.
It was the closest La Cañada had played the Wildcats since 2005, which was the last time the Spartans won in the rivalry by way of a 22-6 triumph.
But this most assuredly is not last season.
Monrovia (1-5, 1-0 in Rio Hondo League) has struggled as it just picked up its first win of the season over South Pasadena, 49-10, to open up league play. But the Wildcats have played some notable opponents.
La Cañada (0-6, 0-1 in league), meanwhile, is off to a historically dubious start as a Spartans team brimming with inexperience and underclassmen is winless this far into the season for the first time this century.
In its five losses on the field (it lost via forfeit to South Hills), the Spartans have allowed at least 50 points a game and an average of 54.2. In return, the Spartans are averaging only 6.4 points per game (excluding the forfeit) and have been shut out for eight consecutive quarters dating back to a 59-20 loss to Crescenta Valley in which an Eric Helbing-to-Tobias Humphrey touchdown stands as the last Spartans points scored.
Flintridge Prep vs. Downey Calvary Chapel at Downey High, 6 p.m. Saturday: The last time the Rebels played, they earned what was likely their biggest win thus far in the form of a 22-20 win over Thacher on Sept. 29.
Flintridge Prep (4-2), which cracked the CIF Southern Section Division I eight-man poll at No. 10, will have gone more than two weeks without a game when it lines up against Calvary Chapel (3-2) on Saturday night, though.
Remaining games for Prep following Calvary Chapel are against Mission Prep and Chadwick, which at least on paper are easier tasks than Calvary Chapel. However, Calvary Chapel dealt the Rebels a nailbiting 38-37 loss last season.
Calvary Chapel is coming off a 32-12 win on Saturday at Lucerne Valley.
Twitter: @TCNGrantGordon
