Daily News Football Countdown: No. 3 St. Francis’ high-powered offense will be hard to stop
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As we head into the 2022 high school football season, the Los Angeles Daily News is publishing preseason coverage that includes team rankings and lists of the top players to watch by position.
The season begins the week of Aug. 18-20.
DAILY NEWS TOP 10 COUNTDOWN
No. 3 St. Francis
Coach: Dean Herrington, 2nd year
2021 W-L record: 10-3, 2-1 Angelus League (CIF-SS Division 4 runner-up)
Top returners: Jack Jacobs, QB, Sr.; Racin Delgatty, OL/DL, Sr. Phillip Ocon, OL/DL, Jr.; Jett McCullough, DB/WR, Sr.; Preston Jernegan, LB/TE, Jr.
Key losses: Duncan Sprengel OL/DL; Max Garrison RB/DB
Newcomers: Devyn Turner, RB, Sr. (transfer from Allen High (Texas)); DruShun Phillips, WR/DB, Sr. (from North Springs High (Georgia)); Antonio Merlos, WR, Sr. (from Notre Dame Sherman Oaks); Hank Foley, WR/DB, Sr. (from Santa Monica); Alex Juarez, DE, Jr. (from Paraclete).
HERRINGTON SAYS…
Team’s biggest strength: “Our quarterback, running back and wideouts will be strong. We have three starting offensive linemen returning and more athleticism in secondary.”
Team’s biggest challenge: “We only return three starters on defense.”
TEAM OUTLOOK
St. Francis at No. 3 in the preseason rankings seems high, but when you look at the season the Golden Knights had last year and what is returning — along with an experienced offensive line — it’s easy to see why the anticipation is high in Flintridge La Canada.
New running back Devyn Turner from Allen High in Texas is a large part why the anticipation is high. He’s a highly-touted, dynamic runner that scored 18 touchdowns last season. He’ll be getting the ball a lot. If defenses key in on him, Herrington is excited about an upgraded air attack featured by 6-foot-6 senior quarterback Jack Jacobs. Jacobs has a re-vamped receiving core that Herrington is excited to see flourish this fall.
The Golden Knights’ biggest question mark will be its defense, which only returns three starters. But it may not be exposed much due to St. Francis’ schedule, which isn’t very strong.
SCHEDULE
Aug. 19: at West Ranch
Aug. 26: at Mira Costa
Sept. 2: at Millikan (Long Beach)
Sept. 9: St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy (Downey)
Sept. 16: vs. Muir (Pasadena)
Sept. 30: vs. Paraclete (Lancaster)
Oct. 7: at Cathedral (Los Angeles)
Oct. 14: vs. Crespi
Oct. 21: vs. St. Paul (Santa Fe Springs)
Oct. 28: at Loyola
2022 W-L prediction: 9-1. I don’t see St. Francis losing many games this fall. If the Golden Knights stay healthy, they’ll be able to score a lot of points against programs that won’t be able to keep up.