A look at the rushing stats from last Friday's Central Coast Section Division I quarterfinal tells the story of St. Francis High's 31-6 football win over Leigh.
The host Lancers ran 41 times for 262 yards. The Longhorns rushed 26 times for 37 yards.
"Our offensive line did a good job," St. Francis coach Mike Mitchell said, "and so did our front seven on defense."
The top-seeded Lancers (10-1) had 11 players carry the ball and scored all four touchdowns on the ground. Blake Francis led the way with 92 yards, while Mario Formosa rushed for 66 yards and two scores. The other touchdowns came from Sione Taufoou and Gilchrist Fabian.
The Lancer defense forced Leigh (6-5) into five turnovers and didn't give up a touchdown until late in the fourth quarter.
Mitchell expects a tougher game at 7 p.m., Saturday against No. 4 Hollister (10-1) in the semifinals.at San Jose City College. St. Francis beat the Haybailers 26-7 to open the season.
"We need to get on them early or we'll be in for a dog fight," Mitchell said.