(La Canada, Ca) – St. Francis stayed unbeaten as they cruised to a 42-7 victory over El Rancho in a non-league battle at Friedman Field.
Highly coveted Golden Knight running back Dietrich Riley ran for 109 yards and scored three times to lead the high-powered St. Francis attack. Riley also had one catch for 32 yards. He scored from 10, 2, and 4-yards.
The Golden Knights(5-0) defense also helped as they held the Don offense to 26 total yards in the first half and didn’t allow them to reach midfield. El Rancho’s (3-2) offense would finally get in St. Francis territory with 9:26 remaining in the third quarter.
After a shaky start early, the Golden Knight offense woke up as Christopher Cabrera scored from one-yard out to open up the scoring with 3:53 to play in the first quarter.
St. Francis’s defense would be the key against the hard running Dons who were unable to get on track at all for their next six possessions that stretched into the beginning of the second half. During that time, El Rancho 23 offensive plays with five punts and a Josh Perea interception at their own 12-yard line.
While the Dons struggled, the Golden Knights were clicking on offense as they scored on five of their six offensive possessions that included Riley’s three scores.
St. Francis quarterback Justin Posthuma only played one half and went six of 11 for 75 yards for one touchdown, while his backup Brett Nelson was four of six for 77 yards and a touchdown.
Perea finished the night 12 of 20 for 131 yards and a interception. El Rancho receiver Anthony Ayala was Perea’s favorite target as he hauled in seven catches for 111 yards.
The Dons lone highlight came with 7:32 remaining in the third quarter as backup running back Pernell Lone scored a 25-yard run to make the score 35-7.
El Rancho would recover the onside-kick after they scored but failed to take advantage of their fortune and were forced to punt.
The Golden Knights would score their final points on the night with 2:52 remaining in the third when Travis Talianko scored on a 26-yard pass play from Nelson on a streak route that was made much easier as the Dons blew a coverage assignment.
1 2 3 4 F
El Rancho 0 0 7 0 7
St. Francis 7 21 14 0 42
SCORING:
SF – Christopher Cabrera 1 run (Ian Sternau kick)
SF – Dietrich Riley 10 run (Sternau kick)
SF – Ian Hamilton 7 pass from Justin Posthuma (Sternau kick)
SF – Riley 2 run (Sternau kick)
SF – Riley 4 run (Sternau kick)
ER – Pernell Lone 25 run (Lenny Leyva kick)
SF – Travis Talianko 26 pass from Brett Nelson (Sternau kick)
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