Football: Expectations High at St. Francis

The St. Francis High football team is not accustomed to having down years.

Thus, Golden Knights fans should not have anything to worry about this season, as the team returns much of its star-power from last season’s 6-5 squad. The Golden Knights have also added transfer quarterback Jared Leibowitz, who moved to the area from Vermont.

A number of players are even being looked at by four-year universities with a few that have already received offers.

“I see a lot of kids on this team with an opportunity to play football beyond high school,” St. Francis coach Jim Bonds said. “Right now Travis (Talianko) has an offer from San Jose state and as time goes on, I foresee him getting more offers.”

Marona Gets Offer

Perhaps the most interesting scholarship offer among St. Francis players so far is that of senior 6-foot-4, 230 pound defensive end Tyler Marona.

Colgate University has offered and Marona said UNLV, UCLA and Oregon have expressed interest.

Marona played just seven games last season, before suffering a season-ending concussion against Serra High of Gardena.

Marona said he used the help of YouTube to help potential recruiters look at him.

But when asked if the game he got injured in might have served as help, he responded by saying “It was well documented.”

Last season Serra featured George Farmer and Marquise Lee, two of the top recruits in the nation. Both are now vying for immediate playing time as true freshmen at USC.

“I have a brand new helmet this year, so I’m going to be protected,” Marona said. “The defensive-line coach said he has plenty of faith in me.”

Marona said his concussion kept him from working out until January.

“I was completely out of shape,” Marona said. “I gained probably 10 pounds from inactivity. It was a goal to slim down again.”

Marona said recruiting services Rivals and Scout.com both contacted him to fill out questionnaires to better acquaint himself with college recruiters.

“That was a good opportunity. I’m not sure how it happened, but it has been a blessing that it did happen,” Marona said.

Talianko Looking Ahead

St. Francis has a number of talented receivers, but Talianko is the one that is attracting the most attention.

The returning All-CIF pick had 59 receptions for 946 yards and 17 touchdowns last season.

Those numbers have already earned him an offer from San Jose State. Talianko said UCLA, Arizona State and Boston College are also keeping close tabs on him.

“Travis is one of our kids that is going to be a three-year starter. He’s got the best set of hands I’ve ever coached as far as receiving the football,” Jim Bonds said. “He has knack of getting open. This year he’s been asked to be a leader on defense also. He’s starting at the free safety position.”