From Top Clockwise: Bobby Gazmarian, Elijah Washington, Darius Perrantes, Blake Howard, Gabriel Grbavac, Greg Dulcich, Isaac Cordova, Andrew Monarrez. By BRIAN REED-BAIOTTO, Sports Editor There is no doubt that coaches from both St. Francis and Cathedral have already advised their players not to allow the media hype or chatter on social media sites to affect […]
From Top Clockwise: Bobby Gazmarian, Elijah Washington, Darius Perrantes, Blake Howard, Gabriel Grbavac, Greg Dulcich, Isaac Cordova, Andrew Monarrez.
By BRIAN REED-BAIOTTO, Sports Editor
There is no doubt that coaches from both St. Francis and Cathedral have already advised their players not to allow the media hype or chatter on social media sites to affect their daily routine or make the process of this week any different than their first nine games.
That is all completely understandable and prudent.
And while they are right, this is just one of ten regular season games on their schedules, it would be pretty difficult to overhype Friday night’s contest between the Golden Knights and the Phantoms.
First, there is not only the Angelus League championship at stake, there is also getting the playoff draw a league champion is typically afforded in their respective divisions and brackets.
Secondly, there is a huge payback factor on the line if the Golden Knights are to earn the victory Friday night when they host the defending champions.
Last season, St. Francis traveled to Los Angeles to take on a Cathedral team in a game that was a battle of two unbeaten programs.
The Golden Knights falling short was a disappointment to all involved in the program.
It wasn’t “losing” (24-17) that upset the players, coaches, parents and fans, though, it was the way they fell short that made many sick to their stomachs on the ride home.
It was playing their worst game of the year by a mile, and seeing the most elite players on the field for SF make game-altering mistakes that cost them in the one-score setback.
While they might not say it outwardly, don’t think for a second this current flock of seniors not only wants to avenge that debacle in the worst way possible, it’s also the playing for their brothers Michael Bonds, Jace Harrick, Daniel Scott, Maxx Jakeway, Gabriel Mathews and others who don’t get a second chance to redeem themselves in this rivalry that has this team motivated.
Furthermore, the players on both sides know they’ll be putting their butts on the line in front of a large crowd in person and even more through media and social media sites.
Additionally, this group wants to get coach Jim Bonds his second league championship.
Over the past week or so, we have reached out to area players and coaches and they came to a unanimous and yet split decision on this game and the factors involved.
Each coach, player and athletic director we talked to agreed St. Francis holds a dramatic edge when it comes to the two coaching staffs as a whole.
They also believed the Golden Knights were more “sound” and played much more as a team or unit.
The one area, though, that all favored Cathedral was in the “athletes” department.
One area that is not in doubt is the grand canyon of difference when it comes to who plays with more discipline.
But to a man (or boy), they all ‘favor’ Cathedral to win the game, because in their view, the Phantoms are “like a college football team,” with the talent they suit up each Friday night.
Part of that being super-sophomore Bryce Young’s incredible numbers at quarterback.
The Phantoms signal caller has thrown for 2,598 yards, including a crazy ratio of 35 TD’s thrown to just 3 interceptions.
Young’s passing is at a 70-percent clip, going 188 of 268 pass attempts, and he also leads the Cathedral rushing attack with an additional 5 more scores with his legs.
Obviously it doesn’t take a Nobel Prize parent like Elijah Washington’s mom Nichole to figure out that with a Phantoms’ rushing attack that averages just 110 yards per game, stopping or at least containing Young has to be concern No. 1.
If the Golden Knights defense is not only able to pressure Young, but also limit the big plays that he normally gets while scrambling out of the pocket, their chances of victory go up dramatically.
In a phone conversation with Cathedral’s Kevin Pearson Tuesday night, the 23-year Phantoms head coach said that believe it or not, Young is even better than his numbers would indicate, calling him to best (high school) quarterback he’s ever seen.
Pearson wouldn’t confirm, but he did acknowledge this might be the last showdown he has against the Golden Knights with Young at the helm.
Young is rumored to be strongly considering a transfer next season to play for Mater Dei in Orange Country.
The Phantoms’ receiving core is led by Ahmad Lipscomb, who has 29 catches for 443 yards and seven TD’s.
Josiah Zamora and Dylan Thomas have combined for 46 catches for 737 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns.
The Cathedral defense has been sensational as well, as the Phantoms have shut three of their nine opponents out, and they have surrendered an Angelus League low of 63 total points through nine games.
That is one-half of the 125 points St. Francis has allowed thus far.
After all that said, here is why St. Francis could very likely surprise their doubters.
The Golden Knights have 11 guys on offense and 11 more on the defensive side of the ball that are committed to and understand their jobs/roles.
You won’t see a St. Francis player cost his team 15 yards out of a sheer lack of discipline or because they allowed their ego or anger management failings to override what’s best for the team.
Another reason to like their chances to at least be in a position to win is the versatility among their offensive skill players.
“I like the athletes and the group of players they (St. Francis) have this year,” Pearson said. “Their quarterback (Darius Perrantes) is a good athlete and versatile, they have two really good running backs (Elijah Washington and Kevin Armstead), their defensive end (Gabriel Grbavac is really good. And as much as I like (receiver Greg Dulcich), I think (Blake Howard) is their best receiver and athlete. He is very quick and athletic.”
Perrantes had his second breakout game of 2017 last week when he ran for a long score and threw for four more, and what a time it was to get his groove back.
Perrantes (17 passing TD’s) can scramble and make throws on the run, and he’s also more than capable of getting a timely first down with his legs when nothing else is there.
Elijah Washington and Kevin Armstead are what we consider the area’s best 1-2 punch in the Golden Knights backfield.
The duo has combined for over 1,200 yards rushing and 25 TD’s.
They are both quicker, stronger and more agile than they’re given credit for and they can also come through with a catch-and-run when need be.
Their core of receivers, led by Greg Dulcich, Blake Howard, Isaac Cordova and Andrew Monarrez (15 combined TD receptions) are also likely the area’s most deep group at that position and each of the four can make a big play that doesn’t appear to be there.
And all four can block to open up lanes for not only their running backs, but also for their fellow receivers after a catch-and-run.
Defensively, the X-factor could easily be considered the success in which defensive ends Matt Barriga and Gabriel Grbavac have in trying to make it miserable for Young in the Cathedral backfield and not allowing him to roam comfortably outside of the pocket.
SF will rely heavily on defensive back Bobby Gazmarian to try and keep whatever receiver is the biggest threat in check.
He isn’t expected to stop their big-play guys, but they do need him to at least contain them at some level.
Lastly, Nico Boschetti has been a solid replacement for the graduated Dulles Hanula in the kicking game, and if it comes down to a late field goal, Boschetti has the confidence of his teammates and coaches that he’s able to come through in the clutch.
As in any football game, there is no question that limiting big plays, and not turning the ball over could very well determine the 2017 Angelus League championship.
With the fact that the SF coaches and players need to focus without any outside distractions on Cathedral and doing their jobs over the next 48 hours, we decided against asking too many players about their thoughts and quotes about what in their view is key to victory.
Instead, we stuck with the three captains (Golden Knights) to dictate their recipe for success.
And while one incredible program will be devastated around 9:30 Friday night, the winner and loser of this epic showdown and rivalry are both expected to and capable of making deep playoff runs, which starts next week.
Quotable:
SF coach Jim Bonds: “The keys to victory are pretty simple. We need to slow them down and find a way to score. They have a very potent offense combined with an extremely stingy defense. Our tackling has to be great this week and we must contain Bryce Young. We’ve put up a lot of points the past two weeks but you can throw that out the window. This will be the best defense we’ve seen by far all season.”
Cathedral coach Kevin Pearson: “I think St. Francis is often-times underestimated in terms of their athleticism. They have very good athletes. They might not have any Division 1 guys like Daniel Scott this year, but they are more balanced and collectively a better team than a year ago in my view. They do everything well, and they’re extremely well coached.”
SF captain Greg Dulcich: “The key to stopping them is just playing disciplined and everyone knowing their assignments. Offensively, we’ll just play our game and take advantage of weaknesses we find in their defense.”
SF captain Matt Barriga: “We have to play a solid game offensively and defensively. If we all do our jobs, then we will take care of business. We need to limit our mistakes and take care of the ball and don’t let the hype of the game get to us.”
SF captain Elijah Washingtion: “We have to play 48 minutes of Golden Knights football. Who makes the least mistakes and who can take care of the football more. Who can prevent big plays. A lot of teams can’t drive on us, but if we can prevent. To contain Young: our game plan is centered around their speed and athleticism. You have to give Young credit, he extends plays.
By The Numbers:
Wins: St. Francis 9; Cathedral 8
Points Scored: St. Francis 446; Cathedral 370
Points Allowed: Cathedral 63; St. Francis 125
Shutouts: Cathedral 3; St. Francis 2
High Points Scored In Game: SF 77 vs Harvard Westlake; Cathedral 63 vs Lynwood
Most Points Allowed: SF: 27 vs Harvard-Westlake; Cathedral 20 vs Harvard-Westlake
CIF- Ranking: St. Francis No. 5 in Division 3; Cathedral No. 8 in Division 2
CIF-SS Division 2 Rankings Through Oct. 30:
1- Upland
2- Heritage
3- Valencia
4- Oaks Christian
5- La Habra
6- Norco
7- Calabasas
8- Cathedral
9- Los Alamitos
10- Edison
CIF-SS Division 3 Rankings Through Oct. 30:
1- Charter Oak
2- Sierra Canyon
3- Citrus Hill
4- Lompoc
5- St. Francis
6- Rancho Verde
7- Villa Park
8- Westlake
9- El Toro
10- Hart
2017 Cathedral Schedule-Results:
August 25: Cathedral 27, Santa Fe 3
September 1: Cathedral 49, Arcadia 0
September 8: Cathedral 63, Lynwood 0
September 15: Loyola 17, Cathedral 7
September 28: Cathedral 48, Newport Harbor 10
October 7: Cathedral 57, Harvard-Westlake 20
October 13: Cathedral 24, St. Paul 7
October 20: Cathedral 49, La Salle 6
October 27: Cathedral 46, Salesian 0
November 3: Cathedral at St. Francis at 7
2017 St. Francis Schedule-Results:
August 31: St. Francis 48, Mira Costa 21
September 8: St. Francis 42, Pasadena 0
September 15: St. Francis 49, La Serna 20
September 22: St. Francis 49, Saugus 20
September 29: St. Francis 39, Buena Park 14
October 6: St. Paul 24, St. Francis 7
October 13: St. Francis 49, La Salle 16
October 20: St. Francis 69, Salesian 0
October 26: St. Francis 77, Harvard-Westlake 27
November 3: Cathedral at St. Francis at 7
