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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. (North Springs High, Georgia); Antonio Merlos, WR, Sr. (from Notre Dame); 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 might seem high, but when you look at the season the Golden Knights had last year and what they have returning — and an experienced offensive line — it’s easy to see why the anticipation is high in La Cañada Flintridge.
The arrival of running back Devyn Turner from Allen High in Texas is a large part of why the anticipation is so high. He’s a highly-touted, dynamic runner who scored 18 touchdowns last season. He’ll get the ball a lot. If defenses key in on him, Herrington is excited about an upgraded air attack that features 6-foot-6 senior quarterback Jack Jacobs. Jacobs has a revamped receiving core that Herrington thinks will flourish this fall.
The Golden Knights’ biggest question mark is its defense, which returns only three starters. But it might 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 Long Beach Millikan
Sept. 9: St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy
Sept. 16: vs. Pasadena Muir
Sept. 30: vs. Paraclete
Oct. 7: at L.A. Cathedral
Oct. 14: vs. Crespi
Oct. 21: vs. St. Paul
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.
