St. Francis Looks for Perfect 10

As neighborhood rivals, and Crescenta Valley highs have locked up in football 24 times over the years.

Friday night when the two square off at St. Francis’ Friedman Field, the Golden Knights will be looking to extend their win streak over the Falcons to double digits.

St. Francis has won nine in a row, including a 42-14 win last season.

CV last defeated the Golden Knights on Sept. 15, 2001, in a game that was pushed back a day because of the tragic events that occurred in our nation.

Both sides enter Friday’s game having earned marathon victories as St. Francis outlasted Arcadia 31-28 and CV topped Santa Paula 40-32.

“Friday night, it was probably the longest high school game that I’ve ever been to,” CV coach Paul Schilling said while speaking to the Glendale Quarterback Club. “I think it was 3 hours and 15 minutes. I felt like there was a penalty on every single play.”

Schilling said his team will have to vastly improve over its first game.

“We know we have to tackle. It has been a point of emphasis at practice,” Schilling said. “We know we have to be good on special teams, because they are. We are excited, but we know we can’t play a Santa Paula game against St. Francis if we’re going to do well.”

The Falcons will be hoping for a big game from quarterback Zac Wilkerson and running back/receiver Marro Lee. Lee rushed for 120 yards and had 97 receiving yards last week. Wilkerson passes for 197 yards.

The Falcons also hope to have the services of receiver Nick Ruiz and two-way lineman Armen Pashai. Both were ejected after Schilling said a Santa Paula player threw a punch at Ruiz, who put his hand up to block the punch and protect himself. He said Pashai was trying to separate the two.

Under CIF Southern Section rules, players are suspended for a game if they were thrown out of the previous game. CV is making an appeal for both players.

Schilling noted solid play against Santa Paula from defensive end Gillan Powell, who was strictly a baseball player until this year. Powell had 2 ½ sacks against Santa Paula. The Falcon coach also noted solid play from linemen Colin Murphy and Mitchell Stout.

St. Francis is expecting CV to make things tough when they pay a visit.

“You can throw out records,” St. Francis coach told the Quarterback Club audience. “You can throw everything out the door when CV and St. Francis get together because it is a neighborhood rivalry and everyone knows what’s on the line.”

Bonds credited running back Austin De Los Santos for his fine effort against Arcadia, despite being banged up with a knee injury.

“It was kind of a game-time decision on whether he was going to play or not,” Bonds said. “He had 22 carries for 114 yards. He was our will-to-win player of the week for his effort.”

Receiver was given the Golden Knights’ Offensive Player of the Week honors. Raul Castillo earned similar honor on defense and kicker earned the honor for special teams for his effort in kicking a game-winning 19-yard field goal with 8 seconds left.

“This week as Paul (Schilling) said, Friedman Field at St. Francis is a great atmosphere,” Bonds said. “CV is going to pack their side. They do a great job. Their offensive weapons have us pretty nervous prepping for this game.

"Anytime you have a great quarterback who can run and throw, a good running back to hand off to and more than one very skilled receiver, it is nervous time for your defensive side of the ball. They like to attack you from many different ways from their defense. We definitely have our work cut out.”