Eight St. Francis Sharks senior football players played their last high school game on Saturday December 14th at Cabrillo College and those eight seniors rode off into the sunset playing prominent roles in a 21-8 victory for the South County team.
The Lions Bowl places seniors from San Lorenzo Valley, Scotts Valley, Harbor, Santa Cruz and Soquel on the North team. St. Francis, Watsonville, Pajaro Valley, Monte Vista Christian and Aptos on the South team.
The North team took a quick 8-0 in the first quarter with a touchdown pass from Milo Small of Harbor to Alex Turowski of Scotts Valley, but the South team answered back in the second quarter to tie the game with a touchdown pass from Alex Joh of Aptos to Quentin MacLeod of Monte Vista Christian.
In the second half is when the Sharks seniors came into the spotlight. On a crucial third and long Joh connected with Shark record setting senior receiver Garrett Saucedo on a pass play to continue a drive that would end in a touchdown pass from Joh to Shark senior Tight End RJ Zuniga to give the South the lead at 14-8.
Shark senior Jonathan Carmona played both Running Back and Defensive Back for the South and had a crucial interception in the second half. Carmona also had a dazzling long kick return where his St. Francis and South teammate Matt Clifton threw a crushing block that knocked down two North defenders.
The final South touchdown came from another Joh to Macleod connection. St. Francis kicker Aidan Daily added on the extra point to put the score at 21-8.
A major key to the South victory was the stellar defensive play. St. Francis seniors Matt Powers and Matt Rodriguez played excellent in keeping Co-SCCAL League MVP Jake Rehnburg of Scotts Valley out of the end zone in the running game and Sharks Defensive Back Marc Gugale was a major part of a defensive secondary that held the North to only 148 yards through the air.
The eight seniors were not the only St. Francis representatives. Sharks Head Coach Adam Hazel served as the Quarterbacks Coach for the South and St. Francis alum Alvin Medina played a major role in the win coaching the Running Backs and serving as the Special Teams Coordinator for the South.
The game was an excellent way for the eight seniors to end their high school football career. These young men have been amazing role models for many Sharks players to come as they are great students, great ambassadors to the mission of St. Francis and great athletes who excel in multiple sports. Come cheer on Garrett Saucedo, Matt Powers, Matt Clifton, Marc Gugale and Jonathan Carmona on the basketball court this winter. Come cheer on Aidan Daily, Matt Rodriguez and RJ Zuniga on the soccer pitch this winter as well. These seniors led a team to the third most wins in St. Francis football history and now get to add a Lions Bowl victory to finish their careers.
The Lions Bowl places seniors from San Lorenzo Valley, Scotts Valley, Harbor, Santa Cruz and Soquel on the North team. St. Francis, Watsonville, Pajaro Valley, Monte Vista Christian and Aptos on the South team.
The North team took a quick 8-0 in the first quarter with a touchdown pass from Milo Small of Harbor to Alex Turowski of Scotts Valley, but the South team answered back in the second quarter to tie the game with a touchdown pass from Alex Joh of Aptos to Quentin MacLeod of Monte Vista Christian.
In the second half is when the Sharks seniors came into the spotlight. On a crucial third and long Joh connected with Shark record setting senior receiver Garrett Saucedo on a pass play to continue a drive that would end in a touchdown pass from Joh to Shark senior Tight End RJ Zuniga to give the South the lead at 14-8.
Shark senior Jonathan Carmona played both Running Back and Defensive Back for the South and had a crucial interception in the second half. Carmona also had a dazzling long kick return where his St. Francis and South teammate Matt Clifton threw a crushing block that knocked down two North defenders.
The final South touchdown came from another Joh to Macleod connection. St. Francis kicker Aidan Daily added on the extra point to put the score at 21-8.
A major key to the South victory was the stellar defensive play. St. Francis seniors Matt Powers and Matt Rodriguez played excellent in keeping Co-SCCAL League MVP Jake Rehnburg of Scotts Valley out of the end zone in the running game and Sharks Defensive Back Marc Gugale was a major part of a defensive secondary that held the North to only 148 yards through the air.
The eight seniors were not the only St. Francis representatives. Sharks Head Coach Adam Hazel served as the Quarterbacks Coach for the South and St. Francis alum Alvin Medina played a major role in the win coaching the Running Backs and serving as the Special Teams Coordinator for the South.
The game was an excellent way for the eight seniors to end their high school football career. These young men have been amazing role models for many Sharks players to come as they are great students, great ambassadors to the mission of St. Francis and great athletes who excel in multiple sports. Come cheer on Garrett Saucedo, Matt Powers, Matt Clifton, Marc Gugale and Jonathan Carmona on the basketball court this winter. Come cheer on Aidan Daily, Matt Rodriguez and RJ Zuniga on the soccer pitch this winter as well. These seniors led a team to the third most wins in St. Francis football history and now get to add a Lions Bowl victory to finish their careers.