LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE — In quarterback John Sanders’ first varsity start, St. Francis opened the 2023 season by defeating West Ranch 58-13.
Sanders led the Golden Knights, completing 18 of 31 passing for 255 yards, including five passing touchdowns and one interception. Sanders also ran the ball seven times for 102 yards and had a 46-yard rushing touchdown.
“Like I’ve been telling everyone, John’s a special player, and he’s gonna get nothing but better” said St. Francis coach Dean Herrington. “Our offensive line was solid all day and we can run and pass it which is what you really wanna be able to do.”
St. Francis started the game a bit sluggish offensively not scoring until its third drive of the game after getting good field position from a fumble recovery from Phillip Ocon. The Golden Knights’ first score of the game came on a 26-yard touchdown pass from Sanders to Preston Jernegan to tie the game at 7. Jernegan finished the game with eight catches for 93 yards and four touchdowns.
Running back Luke Deperno scored both touchdowns for West Ranch to give the Wildcats a 13-7 lead in the beginning of the second quarter.
On the kickoff after Deperno’s second score, John Calmette returned the ball 96 yards for a St. Francis touchdown and they did not look back from there. Calmette had another rushing touchdown at the end of the half and St. Francis scored 51 unanswered points on their ensuing seven drives with Sanders being the catalyst. He found Jernegan for three more touchdown passes and also had a 69-yard touchdown pass to James Lawyer in the second half.
“It felt really good to get the win. We’ve been practicing all summer for this and it felt good to get the win after losing to them last year.” said Sanders.
The St. Francis defense also caused problems for West Ranch, forcing five turnovers including four interceptions. St. Francis defensive back Isaac Fajardo had two first half interceptions and Tim Murphy and defensive lineman Thomas De Luccia had the other two interceptions.
West Ranch came into the game with only three starters returning from last year’s team that won the Foothill League title. West Ranch played two quarterbacks with Liam McDaniel and Zach Wyre replacing last year’s quarterback and current Colorado quarterback Ryan Staub, with McDaniel getting most of the snaps.
Neither quarterback was able to get much going with McDaniel throwing three interceptions and Wyre throwing one while completing 2 of 6 passes. McDaniel finished the game 10 of 18 for 125 yards.
St. Francis will host Mira Costa next week and West Ranch will host Pasadena at 5 p.m. next week.