St. Francis will have plenty of competition in the West Catholic Athletic League this season. But before the Lancers get to their league season, they have to go through an impressive trio of non-league opponents.

St. Francis is 2 for 2 so far.

The Lancers followed up an impressive opening-week win over Helix-La Mesa with a 34-14 victory over McClymonds on Friday. Next up is a trip to Concord this Friday to take on perennial power De La Salle, the Bay Area News Group’s top-ranked team coming off a 39-10 rout of Serra.

“It’s critical,” St. Francis coach Greg Calcagno about the non-league schedule. “The teams we play in league, every week’s a battle. For us to get ready and find out our weaknesses early before we get into the season, it’s too late to find it out then, right? You’re going to scramble a lot. So playing good teams early gets us better and gets us things that we can work on right away.”

— Christian Babcock

Upon further review, no St. Francis record

St. Francis’ statistician reviewed the statistics he kept Friday, noticed a couple of mistakes and sent an email to Bay Area Area Group on Sunday.

Turns out, Kingston Keanaaina did not break the school’s rushing record, as the statistician noted Friday.

Keanaaina ran for 336 yards in the victory over McClymonds, not the 357 that was reported.

He had 357 all-purpose yards.

Viliami Teu’s 344 yards on 45 carries against Serra in 2021 remains the St. Francis school rushing record.

De La Salle: Team manager has grit

De La Salle coach Justin Alumbaugh wants his team to play with pride and toughness. That ethos has made its way into every aspect of the Spartans’ top-ranked program.

From first string to scout team — and even the team manager, who did his job on Friday against Serra despite suffering a knee injury during the celebration a week earlier against Grant-Sacramento.

“I was jumping up and down, and then my knee, I landed awkwardly on my knee and I felt a pop,“ Kyle Carpio said.

He was carted off the field for medical attention.

After Carpio was cleared to continue his duties on the sideline this week, the 18-year-old senior went right back to work.

Though laboring with a knee brace, he didn’t let that stop him from doing his job of handing out water bottles and making sure things ran smoothly.

“I’m going to stay committed to this team, because I know that’s what I can do and that’s what this program is about,” Carpio said. “Ever since the days of coach Lad (Bob Ladouceur), it’s been about facing adversity and getting better.”

Carpio celebrated again on Friday with his friends on the field.

“They were wishing me luck,” Carpio said. “But I was wishing them luck as well.”

— Joseph Dycus

Mack: NFL free agent Peters helps his dad

Marcus Peters is currently unsigned by an NFL team. So while he waits for a call from a pro franchise, Peters is making productive use of his time.

The nine-year NFL veteran spent his Friday night helping out McClymonds, his high school alma mater, on the sidelines as the Warriors faced St. Francis.

Peters, the son of Mack coach Michael Peters, is focusing on receivers and defensive backs but sharing his wisdom with the entire team.

“It’s a really great thing, not even just for our defense, for me too, because he’s played with the quarterbacks at the best level,” said McClymonds quarterback Berell Staples. “So he knows what it’s like for a QB to go out and lead his team, and when he tells me something, I listen because I know he knows what it takes to get there.”

— Christian Babcock

Santa Teresa: Boombox back on field

Santa Teresa lost a lot when thieves ransacked its football stadium in August. But one stolen item was particularly meaningful to the Saints.

A customized boombox, which Santa Teresa received after winning the CCS Division IV championship in 2022, was among the items taken. But thanks to a wealth of community support, a new boombox has replaced it on the Santa Teresa sideline.

“We’ve had so much support and people donating,” said Saints coach Steve Papin. “We got a couple of donations, so we went ahead and bought one and had it overnighted to get back. It’s something that we got when we won the CCS championship. So it’s kind of like our lucky charm. So we had to get another one, and luckily, we were able to get one before the first game.”

— Christian Babcock

Serra: Bosco paying a visit

Serra coach Patrick Walsh is plenty familiar with the impossible task that is St. John Bosco’s all-star team. The Bellflower juggernaut routed Serra 45-0 in the 2022 Open Division state championship game and is rolling again while the Padres are trying to navigate with a young roster.

So why did Walsh schedule such a powerhouse opponent?

Bosco visits Serra on Saturday.

“I love coach (Jason) Negro and I love coach (Steven) Lo. I love how they operate,” Walsh said after the Padres were routed 39-10 by De La Salle. “We obviously played in that (2022) state championship game, and we want to challenge ourselves against the very best.”

Success for the Padres won’t be measured on the scoreboard.

“We’re going to see what type of courage we have,” Walsh said. “I mean, we’re going up against the best team. They’re an absolute machine.”

— Joseph Dycus

O’Dowd: QB, WR have strong connection

Bishop O’Dowd quarterback Devin Wilson and wide receiver Deji Ajose’s chemistry on the field was undeniable during the Dragons’ 24-20 win over Monte Vista on Friday.

But that wasn’t a surprise to anyone on the O’Dowd sideline.

“Devin is like my best friend,” Ajose said. “We think the same and we’re always on the same page.”

Wilson completed 11 of 22 passes for 154 yards against Monte Vista and eight of his passes went to Ajose, a Washington commit who finished with 125 yards receiving and two touchdowns.

“That’s my guy,” Wilson said of Ajose. “Whenever I see him on an island, I’m going to him. He’s definitely my trusted guy.”

— Nathan Canilao