It doesn’t seem that long ago the Golden Knights were playing in the 2021 Division 4 CIF Championship game but now its time for the 2022 football season. Head Coach Dean Herrington returns for his 2nd season leading the Golden Knights. St. Francis Football had great Spring and Summer practices and is looking forward to putting the pads on August 4th. The Golden Knights return 6 starters on offense and 3 starters on defense. The offense once again will be led by 3-year starting Quarterback Jack Jacobs, an ALL-CIF selection in 2021. Also returning is TE Preston Jernegan and WR Jett McCullough. Three returning starters on one of top offensive lines in CIF are back for the 2022 season. All-CIF tackles Racin Delgatty and Phillip Ocon will anchor the offensive line. Guard Naasir Asiata-Tatum is also returning and is expected to have a big year. Newcomers at the Wide Receiver position will make this unit one of the best in the area. Antonio Merlos, DruShun Phillips, and Hank Foley have had a great Summer and will give Jack Jacobs great weapons to throw to. Also new to the program is Running Back Devyn Turner, who rushed for over 1000 yards and had a 8.6 yards per carry while playing in the highest level of 6-A Texas High School Football.
On the defensive side of the ball returning ALL-CIF Linebacker Preston Jernegan is back to lead the defense. Also retuning is standout Outside Linebacker John Calmette. Rotating at Defensive Tackle will be Phillip Ocon and Racin Delgatty. At Defensive End, Alex Jaurez, Ryan Doefler, and Naizam Nama have showed great ability in the summer. Other LB’S will be Michael Gordo and Jonah Cisneros, Thomas De Luccia and Logan Collazo. On the back end, the Corner spots will be led by Jett McCullough, Hank Foley, and Jamie Lawyer. The safety positions have many players vying for playing time. DruShun Phillips, Tyler Cofre, Adam Sandoval, Joseph Sonner, and James Clapp give plenty of options for the Golden Knight coaches. Kicker/Punter Clint Geryak is back to handle all kicking duties.
Coach Herrington is excited about the work the players have put it beginning with Off-Season lifting in January. Expectations are high for the 2022 St. Francis team and repeating as Angelus League Champions is the number 1 goal. The Angelus League will welcome 2 new members as Cathedral and Paraclete High Schools join for the 2022 season. The Golden Knights start the season playing West Ranch on Friday August 19th at Valencia High School.