St Francis High School - Alvernian Yearbook (La Canada Flintridge, CA)

Page 58 text:

St. Bernardine 13-0 In the opening game of the 1953 football season, the Knights cracked three periods of tight scoreless play, and rolled by St. Ber- nardine 13-0. Pat Ryan scored both touch- downs for the Knights. Bellarmine 0-19 A visiting Bellarmine-Jefferson team, led by Quarterback Tom Doyle, trimmed the Knights 19-0. Outstanding performances in blocking and tackling were turned in by St. Francis linemen Rohan, Mack, and Eisele. St. Agnes 26-19 Trailing 19-6 at half-time, the St. Francis “11 staged a second half rally to edge a rough St. Agnes team 26-19. The Knights attack was spearheaded by Fullback Pat Ryan who scored the winning touchdown with only two minutes left to play. Chaminade 30-0 Scoring on the first two plays from scrim- mage, the Knights of St. Francis trounced a fighting Chaminade team 30-0. Jim Rock- enbach scored three touchdowns on brilliant runs of 25, 67, and 68 yards.

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PAT RYAN It was a surprise to no one when Pat Ryan, the sparkplug of the Knights' at- tack. was selected as the top fullback in the Catholic Conference. Ryan won this coveted berth by the powerful run- ning and vicious blocking that he dis- played throughout the campaign. His defensive work, together with his offen- sive power, labeled him a menace to all rival teams. „ PAT DOWNS In addition to receiving Honorable Men- tion from the Catholic Conference, Pat Downs was selected as the Most Valu- able Player on the St. Francis team. He gained these honors by his excellent blocking, his brilliant pass-catching, and his fiery will to win. Downs was always considered an important part of Coach Friedman's football machine. All-Conference Second Team— Jim Rockenbach Honorable Mention— Don Cooper

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Mission 13-12 Behind the pin-point passing of Pat Love- joy and Larry Higgins, St. Francis edged their bitterest rival. Mission High, 13-12. The Knights were led by end Pat Downs, whose sparkling catches accounted for both touchdowns. Pomona Catholic 6-45 Pomona Catholic, grid champions of the C.C. for the fourth straight year, stopped the Knights cold with a stinging 45-6 de- feat. The Knights’ lone tally came on a re- covered fumble by end Pat Downs who raced 35 yards for a touchdown. Mary Star 7-13 Mary Star, playing inspired ball, nosed out the Knights of St. Francis 13-7. St. Francis’ only touchdown came on a 65-yard run by Jim Rockenbach. Mater Dei 7-13 St. Francis, playing their final game of the grid season, lost to the Monarchs of Mater Dei 13-7. The Knights were led by ends Downs and Cooper.