Milton Carries St. Francis to 27-19 Victory

While the outcome of Saturday night’s Mission League game between Harvard-Westlake High and St. Francis was in doubt until the closing seconds, the importance of Golden Knights’ running back Robert Milton was not.

Milton rushed for 239 yards and scored two touchdowns to lead St. Francis to a 27-19 victory over the Wolverines at St. Francis High.

It became apparent Milton would be a workhorse for the Golden Knights (6-2, 2-1 in league) after he had 24 carries in the first half for 120 yards. Milton had 40 rushes in the game.

But perhaps it was Milton’s final carry that was most important.

With St. Francis clinging to a 20-19 lead and trying to run out the clock, Milton burst down the right sideline for a 50-yard touchdown. It was St. Francis’ second touchdown in the final three minutes.

“That was our fourth-quarter conditioning,” Milton said. “I just find the holes, and when I do, we’re going to win.”

For a while, though, it appeared St. Francis would not.

Harvard-Westlake (5-3, 2-1) had the ball at its 33-yard-line with about three minutes to play, but a fumble by tailback Sam Hornblower was recovered by George Alvarado of St. Francis.

On the next play, Darius Brown ran 33 yards for a touchdown.

St. Francis’ attempt at a two-point conversion failed, and the Golden Knights led, 20-19.

Hornblower, who rushed for 145 yards in 22 carries, fumbled again at the Wolverines’ 20 and St. Francis recovered.

Earlier, Hornblower scored on touchdown runs of 37 and 20 yards, both in the third quarter.

Brown had 73 yards in nine carries for St. Francis.

Hornblower ran 20 yards for a score in the third quarter to pull the Wolverines to within 14-13.

Hornblower’s 37-yard scoring run midway through the third quarter gave Harvard-Westlake a 19-14 lead.

The Wolverines nearly sealed the victory by mounting an eight-minute drive that reached the St. Francis 24 with just over three minutes to play. However, on fourth and eight, John Terzian’s pass fell incomplete.

Terzian completed seven of 15 passes for 136 yards and one touchdown. Kevin Danni of St. Francis was four of 10 for 59 yards and a touchdown.