Brownout for St. Francis Results in Lackluster Loss

With star running back Darius Brown missing from the lineup because of a sprained ankle, the usual potent offense of St. Francis was held to 203 yards in a 17-2 nonleague loss to visiting Bellflower Friday night.

Without Brown, who injured his ankle against Pasadena last week and will have X-rays taken today, St. Francis (3-2) relied on Crayton Milton for most of its rushing yardage.

Milton finished with 75 yards in 24 carries.

St. Francis Coach Bill Redell said Brown, who has rushed for 601 yards in four games, is questionable for next week.

“We didn’t have [his ankle] X-rayed earlier because we didn’t think it was that serious of an injury,” Redell said.

The only points for the Golden Knights came on a safety when Bellflower (4-1) snapped the ball out of its end zone on a punt attempt late in the third quarter.

The Buccaneers took advantage of two interceptions to take a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, scoring on runs of one and seven yards by Charles Lewis.

Lewis accounted for most of Bellflower’s 176 offensive yards, rushing for 144 yards in 27 carries.

St Francis quarterback Kjell Nesen completed six of 14 passes for 77 yards and had two passes intercepted. He rushed for 35 yards in 17 carries.

Redell said the absence of Brown probably wouldn’t have made a difference in this game.

“Both sides of the ball just gave them opportunities, which they capitalized on,” Redell said. “They are a good football team and they just outcoached us.”