Alemany Takes St. Francis Deep, 20-14

Leave it to a third-string tailback to restore order for Alemany High, on what was shaping up to be strange night for the Indians.

Derek Goodman scored on a 19-yard run midway through the fourth quarter to give the Indians a 20-14 victory over St. Francis and the Mission League title Friday night at Alemany.

Goodman--who had gained 52 yards rushing the entire season--gained 113 in 15 carries after replacing De’Andre Scott and backup Paul Fusano, who were sidelined with injuries in the first quarter.

Even with the injuries, Alemany (7-3, 3-0 in league play) should have put the game away long before the fourth quarter.

Two goal-line fumbles were recovered by the Golden Knights (5-5, 1-2). One came as Bryson Atkins was being tackled on the first possession of the game.

But the second--coming late in the third quarter--was much more bizarre.

After breaking several tackles, Devin Montgomery appeared to have a clear shot at the end zone. But he bounced the ball off his knee as he crossed the goal line and it was recovered by St. Francis.

“I just didn’t want to be the one that cost us the game,” said Montgomery, who had eight receptions for 106 yards.

Montgomery got his redemption when St. Francis was forced to punt with eight minutes left. The snap sailed over the head of Denis O’Brien, who managed to get off a two-yard kick.

Alemany began its game-winning drive from the St. Francis 37 and scored five plays later. Deon Scott added a two-point conversion.

Quarterback Casey Clausen of Alemany was slowed by a heavy pass rush in the first half and was sacked seven times. He completed 17 of 23 passes for 266 yards, including a 58-yard touchdown to Reggie Kinlaw in the third quarter that gave Alemany a 12-7 lead.