Chaminade’s Saunders Suffers Season-Ending Knee Injury

Chaminade High’s Franklin Saunders, considered one of the nation’s top senior running backs, will miss the remainder of the season because of a torn ligament in his right knee, his father, Brian, said Saturday.

Saunders was injured on his first carry in the Eagles’ 15-6 loss at Baldwin Park on Friday.

“He got tackled on the far sideline as he was planting his leg. The guy tackled him down low. . . . Those things happen,” Chaminade Coach Rich Lawson said. “It was funny because one of the last things (Saunders) said before he went on the field (Friday) was ‘Play every play as if it were your last.’ ”

The 6-foot-1, 190-pound tailback is scheduled to undergo a magnetic resonance imaging exam Monday. If surgery is required, it will be performed Friday.

Saunders, who has 4.5 speed and has gained 744 yards in 108 carries, had scheduled recruiting trips to Colorado, Fresno State, Washington State, Colorado State and Illinois.

“I’m prepared for some schools to back off,” Saunders said, “but I’m going to work hard. Give me a year and I’ll be back there. I’d say the college that does stick with me is making the right decision.

“I think all things happen for a reason. This is just to make me stronger.”

Lawson said rushing duties will be shared by junior Brian Simmers, who gained 102 yards in 13 carries Friday, and sophomore Jason Giovannettone.