HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL : St. Francis Loses in Battle for Third

St. Francis High and St. John Bosco entered Saturday night’s Del Rey League opener with losing records and high hopes of resurrecting their seasons. After all, somebody has to finish third behind Loyola and Crespi.

And visiting St. John Bosco retained those hopes after soundly beating the Golden Knights, 38-6.

The Braves (3-3 overall) ran at will, gaining 313 yards on the ground and 441 total yards.

“They played an excellent game and they prepared for us very well,” St. Francis Coach Bill Garrison said.

St. John Bosco tailback Anthony Bull gained 134 yards in 17 carries and scored on runs of three, 10 and 76 yards.

Sergio Diaz added 98 yards in nine carries, including a four-yard scoring run.

The Braves had built a 30-0 lead before St. Francis (1-5) scored.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, Golden Knights quarterback John Willis hit Marty Konrad with a 46-yard touchdown pass. Willis completed nine of 22 for 142 yards.

Tailback Pete Morales gained 63 yards in 13 carries for St. Francis. Considering the numbers, St. Francis was fortunate to trail at the half by only 17 points.

The Braves, who outgained the Knights, 213 yards to 66, scored on three of their four first-half possessions. On their fourth, the drive stalled on the Golden Knights’ 22.

Bull scored on first-half runs of three and 10 yards, and kicker Nomar Garciaparra added a 24-yard field goal to give St. John Bosco its lead going into the half.

The Braves’ defense did its share as well, limiting St. Francis to six rushing yards and sacking Willis twice.