St. Anthony made an impressive run to a CIF Southern Section title game last season during coach Raul Lara’s first year.
However, the Saints started that season with three tough losses before mounting a furious run to make their way into the postseason.
Fast forward to this season and there might not be reason to panic just yet at St. Anthony after a tough 49-6 loss Friday night to Mayfair. The Saints fell to 0-2 on the season.
“I didn’t want it to be this way,” Lara said. “I truly believe that I am responsible for putting a good product out there every Friday night and I feel like this Friday night I didn’t put the best product out there and that’s my fault.”
Mayfair started the game fast as quarterback Evan Tomich connected with his brother Owen Tomich for a 56-yard touchdown on the third play from scrimmage to take a 7-0 lead less than a minute into the first quarter.
St. Anthony started things off well with two straight completion from Adrian Perez, but a fumble gave the Monsoons a short field and they capitalized as Evan Tomich scored his second touchdown of the night to take a 14-0 lead less than two minutes into the game.
After not being able to move the ball out of their own territory, the Saints defense forced a Mayfair punt, but an interception gave the ball right back to Mayfair. Evan Tomich took advantage of the turnover and connected with Leroy Palu for a 20-yard touchdown.
It was an impressive night for Tomich as he finished the night with five touchdowns and 261 total yards with 135 passing and 126 rushing.
After taking a 42-0 lead at halftime, Mayfair and St. Anthony both went run heavy and in the fourth quarter when there was a running clock.
The Saints avoided the shutout when Adrian Perez connected with Jaxson Bonsall for a 5-yard touchdown.
St. Anthony will be on the road next week when they head to Compton to take on Dominguez.
