By Michael DUMANSKY

Coming off the 2018 football season where they were eliminated 6-4, 2-1 in the Angeles League, the St. Francis Golden Knights varsity football team is looking to bounce back in a big way with many returners and newcomers. This season the Golden Knights will field a 46-man roster, which will showcase returners such as senior all-league running back Kevin Armstead, sophomore running back and strong safety Max Garrison and defensive tackle Devan Bell. This season the team is looking to replace quarterback Darius Perrantes after seeing him graduate in 2018. Junior quarterback Jack Clougherty has taken over the position and looks to fill the shoes of the former all-league recipient.

On the offensive side of the ball, the team is led by all-league recipient Armstead in the backfield. Armstead rushed for 1,097 yards in 159 carries and scored 11 touchdowns in 10 games he played in. Armstead also caught 29 passes for 283 yards and scored two touchdowns.

As for wide receivers, the Golden Knights have a duo of tenured players at that position with Adam Barakat and junior Bryson Reeves. Reeves was given the honor of all-league after he caught 34 passes for 702 yards and eight touchdowns in 2018. As for tight end, that spot will be locked by senior all-league honoree Tanner Tomko. Tomko ended the 2018 campaign with 40 catches for 791 yards with seven touchdowns. As for the offensive line, that will consist of senior Johnathan Gibbons, all-league honoree players Aidan Flynn and Daniel Peters. Another linemen that will give them the pocket protection they need is 6’7”, 305 lbs. sophmore transfer from Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, Keji Swanson.

On the defensive side, the Golden Knights have several players returning to help establish the team’s success in 2019. The defensive line will rely on tackle Devan Bell, sophomore Duncan Sprengel, 6’6” junior Brenden Davit and junior all-league honoree Evan Jernegan. In the backfield, the team will be led by sophomore Max Garrison and senior Bryson Reeves, both who will be heavily relied upon this season as they will be called on to play both ways.

Another newcomer to the varsity team is sophomore defensive back Mayze Bryant. Mayze is the younger brother of the University of Washington defensive back Myles Bryant.

Both offensively and defensively the Golden Knights have depth to make some noise in the Angeles League.

St. Francis opens its season at Friedmen Field this Friday against Mira Costa at 7 p.m. The Mustangs travel to St. Francis looking to bounce back after a 48-21 loss to Paramount. The Golden Knights will play Damien, Westlake, Saugus, Harvard-Westlake, Manyfair and Paraclete in their non league matchups. They then will go on to open up league away at Crespi High on Oct. 18 and then travel to Salesian for their last road game of the regular season on Oct. 25. St. Francis will finish up their season against their biggest foe in the Angeles League, the Cathedral High Phantoms on Nov. 1.

  Vincent PAGE