By Pete Borello

Another game, another narrow defeat for the Los Altos High football team.

The Eagles sunk to 0-3 with last Friday’s 27-22 non-league loss at Palo Alto.

Los Altos has been in all three games — falling by a combined 16 points — but continues to do just enough to lose.

“It’s been a tough past three weeks,” said Eagles head coach Bob Sykes. “We’re very competitive and always in the game. Now we have to play four quarters of football.”

Like its previous two setbacks, a breakdown on special teams doomed Los Altos Friday.

The Eagles, who allowed kick-return touchdowns in each of their first two games, this time had a punt blocked deep in their own territory. The Vikings scored a few plays later to go up 14-0 midway through the first quarter.

“That really hurt us in the first half,” Sykes said.

Palo Alto extended its lead to 24-6 by halftime. but Los Altos didn’t give up. The Eagles scored two touchdowns and allowed only a field goal in the second half.

Quarterback Donnie Ecker had another stellar game for Los Altos, completing 23 of 29 passes for 245 yards and three touchdowns. The senior also rushed for a team-high 107 yards.

Patrick Conte caught a career-high eight passes for 72 yards and a touchdown.

The Eagles racked up 439 yards of offense, but Sykes said they gave up about the same.

Los Altos kicks off its SCVAL El Camino Division season Friday with a 7:30 p.m. road game against Santa Clara at Townsend Field.

De La Salle 39, St. Francis 8

Facing the top team in the nation, St. Francis managed to keep last Friday’s non-league game respectable for three quarters. The Lancers trailed just 14-0 at the half and 17-0 entering the fourth quarter.

Then host De La Salle wore down St. Francis. The Spartans put up 22 points in the final period to improve to 3-0 on the season and extend its national-record winning streak to 141 games.

St. Francis, which lost 14-0 to De La Salle last season, dropped to 3-1 on the year.

The Lancers’ lone touchdown came midway through the final quarter on a 51-yard pass from Kyle Spraker to receiver Andrew Smythe. Spraker then hooked up with Daniel Descalso for the two-point conversion.

St. Francis totalled just 140 yards of offense in the game.

The Lancers open West Catholic Athletic League play Saturday with a 1 p.m. contest at Valley Christian-San Jose (4-0).

Gunn 24, Santa Clara 21

Despite three turnovers, Gunn avoided being upset by visiting Santa Clara in last Friday’s non-league game.

Halfback Darius Johnson rushed for 104 yards and a touchdown to lead the Titans (2-1). Hansen Perkins caught four passes for 89 yards and fellow receiver Kevin Gordon snared six balls for 55 yards and a score.

Gunn plays a 7:30 p.m. game at Milpitas on Friday.

Homestead 31, Monta Vista 7

Running back Chris Morris continued to carry the load for Homestead, rushing for 126 yards and a touchdown in Friday’s home win. The transfer from Fremont has led the team in rushing in all three games, helping the Mustangs to a 2-1 mark.

Quarterback Robert Scott added a pair of touchdown passes, of 40 and 26 yards.

The Homestead defense recorded seven sacks and scored on a 90-yard interception return.

The Mustangs host Los Gatos at 7:30 p.m., Friday, at Fremont (Sunnyvale).