The562’s football coverage for the 2025-26 school year is sponsored by Long Beach Poly alums Wendell “WoWo” Moe, Jr. & Tyson Ruffins.
The562’s coverage of St. Anthony athletics is sponsored by Jane & B.I. Mais, Class of 1948.
St. Anthony’s football team finds itself in a tough spot past the midway point of the season, but it’s a challenge the Saints have faced before. They’ll look to turn things around and earn their first win when they host Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary on Friday.
Last year, St. Anthony (0-6, 0-1) dominated the Cardinals (1-5, 0-1) in a 43-24 win, part of a big turnaround for the Saints in head coach Jeff Magdaleno’s first season. The Saints started 0-4 before winning eight of their next nine games, including a CIF-SS semifinal victory.
Luckily, the Saints have a handful of playmakers who helped dig them out of that spot last season. Junior QB Aidan Jones will look to find his rhythm with senior receiver Andres Mendoza, while senior captain Jeremiah Taufi will be one to watch on both sides of the ball at linebacker and in a utility role.
The Saints will have to stop a balanced Cardinal offense that has thrown the ball as much as it has run it past the midway point of the season. The Cardinals have been most efficient on the ground, leaning on sophomore running back Vincent Naranjo, who has four touchdowns this season.
Fellow sophomore Matthew Escobedo has been the guy at quarterback for the Cardinals, and he’s averaging over 130 passing yards per game with eight total touchdowns this season and six interceptions.
St. Anthony is favored entering the game, ranked No. 322 in the state according to MaxPreps. Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary sits well behind the Saints at No. 861.
