Quarterback Johnny Ceballos leads the Lancers to the Southeast Finals (Photo by Tim Peterson)
By Tim Peterson
(La Canada) – La Serna shut out St. Francis in the second quarter and scored two fourth quarter touchdowns to knock out the Golden Knights 24-10 Friday night at Friedman Field. With the victory the Lancers advanced to the CIF Southeast Finals for the fourth time in five years.
St. Francis was up 10-3 at the half but La Serna came out in the second half and forced the Golden Knights into a three and out. Anthony Garcia capped a 57-yard drive with a three-yard run to get the Lancers even. La Serna forced St. Francis to punt again and immediately marched down the field. This time quarterback Johnny Ceballos finished the drive bolting in from six yards out with 9:34 left in the fourth.
The momentum had now shifted sides as La Serna took a 17-10 lead and the pressure was now firmly on St. Francis. But the Golden Knights failed to respond as the offense continued to sputter. Another punt set up the Lancers at their own 40. They needed only four plays to score again. Ceballos hit Jonathan Wise for 45 yards down to the St. Francis 15. Three plays later Matthew Marshall raced in from 11 yards out to make it 24-10, and with 5:11 left the Golden Knights’ goose was cooked.
Jonah Franco picked off St. Francis quarterback Miles Bryant on the first play of the next series to pour a little salt in the Golden Knight wounds. From there it was just a matter of running out the clock.
*** La Serna scored first on a 30-yard Alex Vasquez field goal after Jasher Foster fumbled a punt and the Lancers recovered at the St. Francis 40-yard line.
*** St. Francis responded with an 82-yard drive that culminated with a 35-yard touchdown pass from Bryant to Daniel Scott.
*** Dulles Hanula booted a 42-yard field goal on the next series to give St. Francis a 10-3 lead with 5:30 left in the first half. It turned out to be the Golden Knights last score of the night.
*** St. Francis turned the ball over twice to just once for La Serna – a fumble in the first half.
*** Ceballos was banged up in the first half but returned after missing just one series.
*** Marshall led the Lancers in rushing with 83 yards on 13 carries. Garcia rushed 10 times for 51 yards.
*** Ceballos completed 7 of 15 for 102 yards and ran for 33 yards on 7 carries.
*** Bryant finished the night 14 of 21 for 179 yards and a touchdown. He also threw an interception.
*** St. Francis finishes the season 9-4 overall.
*** La Serna (11-2) will meet La Mirada, 38-7 winners over Cathedral, next week for the Southeast title.
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