Football

Town Crier file photo
Senior receiver Evan Williams scored St. Francis’ lone touchdown in Friday’s loss.

For the second week in a row, the St. Francis High football team suffered a one-point loss in the playoffs – only this time, it ended the Lancers’ season.

St. Francis fell 14-13 at Del Oro (Loomis) Friday night in the Northern California Division 2-AA title game. And just like the prior week’s 31-30 double-overtime loss to Valley Christian in the Central Coast Section Open Division II final, the Lancers lost the lead late.

Megan V. Winslow/Town Crier

St. Francis High’s Anthony Landphere, above, consoles teammate Andre Bishop after Saturday night’s CCS Open Division II final loss to Valley Christian.

Opeti Fangupo was among the last Lancers to leave the field. With his head down and helmet in hand, the two-way starter plodded toward the locker room at Independence High in disbelief.

Did it really just happen again?

R. Alan Hwang/Special to the Town Crier
St. Francis High’s Opeti Fangupo dives into the end zone Friday against Serra. The senior rushed for 142 yards and three touchdowns in the Lancers’ CCS semifinal win.

The St. Francis High football team is back in the Central Coast Section Open Division II final, again facing a familiar foe. Only this time, it’s Valley Christian instead of Serra – a team the Lancers lost to by a point in last year’s title game.

Top seed St. Francis (11-1) avenged that loss Friday, squashing Serra 38-8 in the semifinals, and is slated to take on No. 2 Valley Christian (10-2) 7 p.m. Saturday in the final at Independence High in San Jose. When the teams met Oct. 5 in West Catholic Athletic League play, the Lancers eked out a 7-3 home win.

Megan V. Winslow/Town Crier
St. Francis High receiver Evan Williams scores the first touchdown in the Lancers’ 28-7 victory over Mitty Friday night. St. Francis improved to 6-0 in the West Catholic Athletic League and 8-1 overall.

While the St. Francis High football team’s offense made the highlight-reel plays Friday night, the defense quietly did what it’s done throughout league – dominate.

The host Lancers mauled Mitty 28-7, and that’s the most points they’ve allowed in a West Catholic Athletic League game this year.