St. Francis Unable to Slow Down Fargas

The tackle-breaking running of tailback Justin Fargas again proved to be decisive as Notre Dame High rolled to a 31-7 Mission League victory over St. Francis on Friday night at St. Francis.

Fargas, who entered the game as the region’s leading rusher, ran for 222 yards and four touchdowns in 25 carries, including a momentum-changing 56-yard scoring run early in the fourth quarter to give Notre Dame (5-1, 1-0 in league play) a 24-7 lead.

“I just tried to keep my feet going and try to see the end zone every time I run,” Fargas said.

Fargas, who topped the 200-yard mark for the third time this season, raised his season total 1,133 yards.

Still, St. Francis (4-2, 0-1) rallied from a 17-0 halftime deficit, driving 88 yards in 15 plays in the third quarter to pull within 17-7 on fullback Chris Yunker’s two-yard touchdown run.

St. Francis threatened again after Fargas was stripped of the ball on the Knights’ next series. St. Francis recovered at the Notre Dame 30, but was unable to drive and Chris Palic missed a 32-yard field-goal attempt.

From there, Fargas, behind a dominant performance by Notre Dame’s offensive line, took over.

Following his 56-yard touchdown run, Fargas scored on a two-yard run. Fargas had a 48-yard touchdown run on the drive nullified by a holding penalty.

“How many tackles did he break? Once he gets in the open, he can outrun everybody,” Notre Dame Coach Kevin Rooney said.

St. Francis tailback Robert Milton, second to Fargas among area rushers, gained 108 yards in 26 carries.

Notre Dame drove for scores on each of its first three possessions. Juan Plascencia capped a march with a 36-yard field goal.

Fargas followed with a three-yard touchdown run and gave Notre Dame a 17-0 lead midway through the second quarter with a one-yard touchdown run.