SFP JV wins ‘AA’ title; varsity gains Bowl crown

It was quite a weekend for St. Francis Prep football. The varsity, two weeks after getting upset in the opening round of the CHSFL ‘AA’ playoffs by Christ the King, 14-13, beat St. Peter’s Prep to win the ‘AA’ Bowl crown. Running backs Tristan Akong and Robert Dougherty each scored on the ground for the Terriers (9-2).
The jayvee, meanwhile, won the ‘AA’ crown, besting Kellenberg, 15-7. Seeded third, St. Francis beat Cardinal Hayes in the opening round and upset No. 2 Holy Cross, 14-13, in the semifinals on Bryan Caffrey’s 32-yard field goal with 11 seconds remaining.
In the championship game, Anthony Cracchiolo scored on an 11-yard touchdown run, Caffrey kicked a 22-yard field goal and Connor Cregan recovered a Kellenberg flubbed punt in the end zone. Fullback Sal Licata rushed for 69 yards on five carries.
It was the first city tile for the jayvee program since 1994, when the Terriers (9-2) went 11-0 and won the ‘AAA’ championship. For several of the sophomores, who won just two games as freshmen the previous season, it was a remarkable turnaround.
“It was a pretty great feat for them to come back that far in one year,” Coach Justin Kelly said. “Hopefully, they can go on and have great varsity careers.”

- Zachary Braziller