The562’s coverage of football in 2024-25 is sponsored by The Terry Donahue Memorial California Showcase.
The562’s coverage of St. Anthony athletics is sponsored by Jane & B.I. Mais, Class of 1949.
Friday night’s game between St. Anthony and Salesian was less about who could score the most points, and more about who could not score the least. The two teams combined for just two total touchdowns in a defensive slugfest, and the Saints were unable to comeback from an early deficit in a 10-7 loss.
The two teams totaled 10 punts combined and five turnovers. After the game, St. Anthony head coach Jeff Magdaleno credited the defenses and said that the game came down to the discipline of his team.
“We had a pretty good game plan and obviously your defense stepping up like that gives you a lot of luxury to keep you in the game. But obviously stalling on offense, turning the ball over and the penalties, we got a little bit undisciplined today.”
Both St. Anthony and Salesian traded pairs of empty-handed drives in the first quarter which left the scoreboard empty until the second. On the second play of the quarter Salesian RB Ayden Ramirez took off for a 71-yard touchdown which was by far the longest play of the night and only TD of the half.
The Saints only four drives of the first half ended in a turnover on downs, punt, punt, and an interception by Michael Sherrills. Salesian added a field goal before the half and went into the break 10-0.
“When we need to get things together on drives we do, but then it’s the turnovers and the big plays that have been the difference,” said Magdaleno of the first half. “Tonight it just made all the difference unfortunately.”
St. Anthony gave away the ball three more times in the second half from interceptions by Justice White, Skylar Eatmon, and Emmanuel Amaya.
The Saints did find an interception of their own in the fourth quarter from Evan Anglin along the left sideline to spark a drive for St. Anthony. QB Aidan Jones then connected with Jasiah Lolesio-Pua for a big gain, before an incredible catch made by Marco Transfiguracion for the Saints only touchdown of the night.
Despite the loss, Jasiah Lolesio-Pua finished the night with a game-high seven catches for 98 yards.
“It’s been an emphasis to move him around and get him different looks since we know he’s the emphasis for defenses,” said Magdaleno of Lolesio-Pua. “He’s very versatile for us.”
Salesian’s J’ Anthony Cobb finished the night with 81 rushing yards while Ayden Ramirez had 104 rushing yards and a touchdown.
St. Anthony will go on to face Harvard-Westlake next week.
“The fight in our guys has been here the whole year and it’s intensified. I’m excited for the rest of the year. Two more league games and we’ll take them one at a time. We just need to finish strong.”
