LA CAñADA – Buena Park entered Friday’s CIF-SS Division 3 showdown at St. Francis of La Cañada with the stingier defense.
But the Golden Knights’ defensive unit had other ideas about how the duel of undefeated teams would unfold.
St. Francis recorded five sacks and an interception and made several key defensive stands to help secure a 28-19 victory against visiting Buena Park, ranked fourth in the division.
The Golden Knights (5-0), ranked seventh in the division, opened the first quarter with a goal-line stand and protected a 28-19 lead in the final 10:16 of the fourth quarter with two defensive stands.
“Our defense stood tough all night long,” St. Francis coach Jim Bonds said. “That’s a very potent offense with Division 1 players all over the field. … I thought we really grew up as a team tonight. Big win for us.”
Buena Park (4-1) had allowed only six points entering the game but St. Francis held the Coyotes to a pair of touchdown receptions by Devon Cooley and a 94-yard kickoff return by Elijah Gates with 10:16 left in the fourth. Gates’ return cut the Golden Knights’ lead to 28-19.
Gavin Campbell paced the St. Francis defense with two sacks, while Gabriel Mathews added an interception in the end zone early in the second half. Safety Daniel Scott also had a key pass deflection in the final minutes and hauled in a 52-yard TD reception in the first half.
Buena Park quarterback Deshaun Harvey finished with 288 yards passing. The Coyotes played without wide receiver Jeremiah Hawkins (shoulder).
St. Francis leaned on its ground attack and a gutsy drive in the third quarter.
Former Newport Harbor quarterback Michael Bonds scored on a 9-yard TD run with 10:29 left in the fourth quarter to cap an 80-yard drive that featured two fourth-down conversions, including a fake punt.
The Golden Knights used a fake punt from their 29 to extend the scoring drive and snag some of Buena Park’s momentum. The Coyotes had trimmed St. Francis’ lead to 21-13 on a leaping 26-yard TD reception by Cooley and were looking to force their third punt of the third quarter when the Golden Knights used the trick play.
St. Francis later on the drive converted a fourth-and-2, completing a screen play coming out of a timeout from the Buena Park 36. Two plays later, Bonds scored.
Running back Jace Harrick rushed for 99 yards on 28 carries to pace the St. Francis offense while Elijah Washington ran for two touchdowns.
St. Francis’ trio Harrick, Washington and Bonds rushed for 207 yards. Bonds rushed for 54 yards and passed for 179 yards. The Golden Knights didn’t commit a turnover.
“I like how our offense played, too,” Coach Bonds said. “(Buena Park) only gave up six points (entering the game).”
St. Francis used its defense and ground attack to open a 21-6 lead at halftime.
The Golden Knights took a 7-6 lead early in the second quarter by driving 74 yards on nine plays for a 25-yard TD run on an option for Washington.
On ensuing possession, St. Francis forced an intentional grounding and received a sack Gabriel Grbavac to pin Buena Park at its 1. The Golden Knights took possession at the Coyotes’ 42 and drove for a 27-yard TD run by Washington with 6:21 left in the second quarter.
Linebacker Maxx Jakeway recorded St. Francis’ third sack of the first half on the next possession, helping the Golden Knights force another punt.
St. Francis started the next possession on its 48 and Bonds promptly connected with a wide open Scott for a 52-yard touchdown pass and a 21-6 lead with 5:06 left in the half. The Golden Knights used a play-action fake on the score.
Buena Park tried to respond but Campbell’s second sack forced the Coyotes to turn the ball over on downs at the St. Francis 24 late in the half.
The Golden Knights also forced Buena Park to turn the ball over on downs early in the first quarter with a defensive stand on a first-and-goal from their 5.
Cedric Dashiell II recorded two sacks for Buena Park. Ryan Nelson racked up three tackles for losses in the second half.
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Contact the writer: dalbano@scng.com
