Sherman Oaks Notre Dame Blanks St. Francis Freshman Football, 20-0

Lack of an effective offense and a breakdown on special teams led to a 20-0 loss for the St. Francis freshman football team last Thursday at Notre Dame High in Sherman Oaks. The Golden Knights dropped to 7-2 overall, and 3-1 in Mission League play.

Both teams played excellent defense throughout most of the game, but Notre Dame managed a scoring drive late in the first half and also scored on a kickoff return and an interception.

In the first quarter, both defenses dominated play. Although Notre Dame managed a few first downs, field position belonged to St. Francis due to the excellent punting of David Sternau. Although Notre Dame managed to mount a threat at the end of the first quarter, a nine-yard quarterback sack by linebacker Erik Dowling and defensive tackle Ryan Younker ended the threat.

In the second quarter, it was much the same with the defensive line ends Sean Lacey and Ethan Davis and tackles Kris Durham and Ryan Younker controlling the line of scrimmage. All four recorded tackles for losses.

Linebackers Dowling, Chris Sember, Evan King and Matthew Vidales also plugged the gaps and played superb pass defense. Defensive backs Joe Cardenas, Xavier Soto, Myles Campbell, Chris Hall and Spencer Stephens kept the Notre Dame passing attack in check.

Late in the second quarter, after taking possession near mid-field, Notre Dame mounted a drive and scored a touchdown with less than 30 seconds remaining in the first half to take a 7-0 lead.

In the third quarter, Notre Dame returned Sternau’s opening kickoff more than 80 yards for a TD to increase its lead to 13-0. Two plays later, Notre Dame picked off an interception and ran it back 42-yards for a score to up its advantage to 20-0.

For the remainder of the game, both defenses continued to dominate, but St. Francis was unable to mount any type of an offense threat despite hard running by Vidales, King and Campbell. Quarterbacks Stephens and Justin Scarra had little success when passing, owing to the tenacious rush of Notre Dame’s defense.

Next up for St. Francis is Harvard/ Westlake tomorrow (Friday) afternoon at St. Francis High at 3:15 p.m. The game against the Wolverines is the final one of the season for the Golden Knights.