By Michael DUMANSKY

On a cool night at Friedman Field the Golden Knights (2-1) entered one of their toughest games this season when they faced Westlake High School (1-3). The Warriors came into the game after facing experienced teams such as Sierra Canyon and Oxnard. How well the Golden Knights and the Warriors were matched was apparent by the end of the third quarter, but early mistakes in the fourth by the St. Francis offense made the comeback too difficult and they fell 41-35.

The Knights were sluggish early on coming up empty handed on their first two drives. The Warriors’ offense was clicking on all cylinders as they scored at the 5:04 mark in the first quarter with a three-yard run by senior quarterback Marco Siedman.

St. Francis would answer back with a four-yard run by Bryson Reeves at the 2:07 mark to tie it up at 7.

The Warriors wasted no time as quarterback Marco Siedman darted a 28-yard touchdown to Carson Khul in the second.

The Golden Knights played a slow-paced and poised offense in the middle of the second quarter. After a four-minute drive, Jack Cloughtery hit Bryson Reeves on a 14-yard fade route to the corner to tie it up again at 14. After a strong defensive stand on Westlake’s next offensive possession, St. Francis took over and extended the lead with a 22-yard run by Kevin Armstead. The running back would tally 20 carries and two touchdowns.

With 1:27 left to play in the half the Warriors went into a hurry up offensive. As the clock ran down, quarterback Marco Siedman found receiver Dane Reed to tie it up at 21.

As the Knights returned to the field for the second half, they obtained possession in an attempt to take back the lead. Unfortunately, a fumble by the Knights and an interception at the 10-yard line, both resulting in touchdowns by the Warriors, hindered their ability to stay in the game. Attempting to do some damage, Cloughtery was able to hit Reeves on a 58-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to a two-score game. Reeves ended with six receptions for 139 yards and two touchdowns. 

“Bryson does a great job getting open,” said Clougherty about his receiver. “Tanner [Tomko], [Kevin] Armstead, [Max] Garrison and [Adam] Barakat all play a big role in getting him open.”

Armstead was able to drive the ball with a 13-yard run to cut the deficit to six. That Knights would end up getting the ball at their own end zone with 15.7 seconds left in the game. But the heroics of the Knights would not work as the final Hail Mary came up short.

St. Francis will travel to College of the Canyons to play Saugus on Sept. 20. 

  Michael DUMANSKY