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Published on 09/08/1997 All articles from this issue

St. Francis gets off to a good start

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Pete Borello / Town Crier Staff Writer

The St. Francis High football team opened the 1997 season the same way it closed 1996: with a win.

The Lancers took care of Live Oak 14-3 Friday night in front of about 5,000 fans at Calcagno Stadium in Mountain View.

St. Francis appeared ready, willing and able to defend the Central Coast Section Div. II crown it captured a year ago.

The defense was especially impressive, holding Live Oak's option-driven attack to just 199 yards and a field goal.

Leading the defensive charge was senior Nick Burley. The defensive end came up with six solo tackles, two sacks and knocked down a pair of passes.

"Nick picked up where he left off last year," said St. Francis coach Mike Mitchell. "He's definitely a presence on defense."

The offense didn't play at the same level, though. The Lancers didn't make a first down until the 9:30 mark of the second quarter and committed two turnovers on the night.

Still, they managed to rack up 249 yards, with 160 of those coming on the ground. Sophomore tailback Ronald Nunn accounted for 103 of them. His best effort was a 43-yard scoring dash in the second quarter.

St. Francis' other score came in the third on 23-yard pass from Jason Luker to Grant Mattos.

Another key for the Lancers was punter Bryan Beall. He boomed a 52-yarder from his own end zone in the first quarter.