The Del Rey League title is on the line tonight when St. Anthony travels to Santa Fe Springs for the regular season finale against St. Paul. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
“They’re a very good football team that is physical and athletic,” St. Anthony coach Mario Morales said of St. Paul. “And they’re coached well, so it’s going to be a challenge for us.”
St. Paul (6-2, 2-0) won the inaugural Del Rey League championship last year when the Swordsman reached the Division 5 semifinal. Their only losses this season came against Narbonne and Sierra Canyon.
The St. Paul defense gave up 84 points in those losses, and only allowed 21 points in the six wins. Senior linebacker Jonathan Fuamatu is averaging 11.7 tackles per game, and the Swordsman have 10 interceptions this season.
“They do a really good job in the secondary so it’s hard to throw the ball on them,” Morales said. “We need to focus on running the ball a little bit and controlling the game.”
Sophomore Sone Aupiu has 71 of the 173 rush attempts for St. Anthony this season. He is averaging 8.3 yards per carry with a team-high eight total touchdowns.
“Obviously there’s a lot of hype around St. Paul this year,” St. Anthony quarterback Lucas Lehmar said. “But this week of practice has been good and physical. They’re big up front so we have to come out, hit hard, set the tone and let them know that we’re for real.”
St. Anthony last won a league title when it took the Santa Fe League in 2016 and 2017.
The Saints have already clinched a playoff spot in Division 9.
These teams also played for the Del Rey League last year at Clark Field…
VIDEO: St. Anthony’s moment of truth * Long Beach Post Sports
On this week’s “The Show” Mike and JJ talk about the St. Anthony football team’s showdown with St. Paul for the Del Rey League championship. Also, girl’s volleyball playoffs, LBCC football and water polo, as well as the absolute best thing a coach can say to his team after it loses a heartbreaking, gut-clenching, rivalry game in overtime.
