Glendale YMCA Quarterback Club: St. Francis High, Crescenta Valley football rise to top in own leagues
GLENDALE — The Glendale YMCA Quarterback Club, in its 72nd year, meets Tuesdays at the Elk’s Lodge. The following are odds and ends from the 10th meeting of the year.
KNIGHTS EARN TOP PLAYOFF SEED
Since the start of the season, St. Francis has been the top-ranked football team in the CIF Southern Section Southeast Division. After finishing the regular season undefeated and winning its first league championship since 1997, St. Francis (10-0) is the top seed in its division for the playoffs.
It’s an unchartered territory for the Golden Knights, who captured the Angelus League crown.
“The players have carried themselves through it all and handled the pressure of being the top-ranked team,” said St. Francis Coach Jim Bonds, whose team will kick off the playoffs at 7 p.m. Friday against Mayfair (5-5) at Friedman Field. “Now, it becomes a brand-new season and they are looking forward to trying to win a championship.
“Hopefully, we can come out on top and the players can turn in their equipment after winning their last game.”
St. Francis, which wrapped up the regular season Thursday with a 46-15 league home win against Salesian, appears to be clicking in all facets.
Ross Niederhaus enjoyed a splendid effort on special teams, blocking a punt and scoring on a two-point conversion. On defense, the Golden Knights finished with seven sacks, including three from Avery Williams. John Carroll, who will attend San Diego State next season, helped open up holes for St. Francis’ offense to operate.
“These are the kind of things we’ll look to do in the playoffs,” said Bonds, who guided the Knights to a semifinal appearance in the Western Division last season. “We’re happy with the way we came out and played against Salesian, so we want to take it right from there.”
FALCONS CONTINUE TO STAY RED HOT
Like St. Francis, Crescenta Valley went 10-0 during the regular season. The Falcons, who missed the playoffs last season despite going 8-2, captured the Pacific League crown.
For its work, Crescenta Valley will meet visiting Harvard-Westlake at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Glendale High’s Moyse Field in a CIF Southern Section Southeast Division contest. The Falcons are 18-2 in their last 20 games.
Crescenta Valley Coach Paul Schilling said he’s aware of Harvard-Westlake’s talent level.
“I think it’s going to be an interesting matchup between the two schools,” said Schilling, whose team ended the regular season with a 61-30 league road win against Arcadia on Friday. “They gave St. Francis one of its toughest games of the year at 21-7, and we know they are quick.”
