Injuries slowing Seraphs only a little

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Well, it might be down 19-3 heading into the fourth quarter, but St. Bonaventure has proved it’s a good football team this season.

But just imagine how good they’ll be once defensive staple Ryan Panapa is back in two weeks, roaming the midfield. Panapa broke his foot in the season opener against Santa Margarita, but he is expected to be back for the Channel League opener against Ventura on Oct. 12.

Panapa didn’t look like he was in too much pain, though, before tonight’s game. He was playing toss with teammate Loren Powers while the rest of the team was warming up and he was putting a little weight on his foot. But once the small toss-around was over, he was back on his crutches.

‘I’ve got to make sure he stays off his foot,’ said offensive line coach Roger Sonsini, a little annoyed at the team’s star linebacker.

But maybe Sonsini was a little peeved because our conversation reminded him he’s got two starters on the offensive line out with long-term injuries.

Center Chris Perham broke his fibula and ankle in the preseason and is out until at least the playoffs. Another O-line standout, B.J. Avila, is out for the season with a torn ACL.

I know the Seraphs are good, but if they didn’t have these injuries to contend with, who knows how good they would be?

Game Update: St. Bonny’s K.C. Serna scored on an 18-yard run with 8:48 left to play to make it 19-9 Crespi. The Seraphs didn’t make the two-point conversion.

- Austin Knoblauch