SAN FRANCISCO - Friday was a historic night in the Sunset district of San Francisco. After years of dispute with neighbors, the St. Ignatius football team finally hosted its first game under the newly installed lights at J.B. Murphy Field. With the student section filled to the brim and roaring, the ‘Cats were eager to make a historic night all the more memorable.
They did just that, as they asserted their dominance over a Palo Alto team that just couldn’t seem to get anything going, riding a colossal first quarter to a thumping 41-6 win.
The Wildcats didn’t look like they were playing their first game of the season, as they picked apart the opposition from the first whistle. The defense was the first to strike, recovering a botched snap on third and long to set up the offense in the ideal position for their first drive of the season.
The offense didn’t miss a beat, using big runs from junior running back Cameron Jones and senior quarterback Mac McAndrews to set themselves up nicely at the opposing one-yard line, where Jones punched it in for the opening score. The Paly offense could not catch a break, failing to recover yet another fumbled snap just two plays later. This time, McAndrews wasted no time, heaving a 23-yard dime to an open receiver Monroe Barnum in the end zone on just the first play of the drive.
"The game plan was: this is our first game, we’ve got to make sure that we play as clean as possible,” said longtime SI head coach John Regalia. “From rotations to situations to taking care of the football, those types of things. In many respects we did it.”
It was an especially impressive showing from McAndrews, who enters his first season as ‘the guy’ at quarterback for the ‘Cats. He went a perfect 7-for-7 on his passes for 126 yards and three scores. Perhaps the only disappointing fact about McAndrews’ night was that we didn’t see enough of him, as he exited the field for good at halftime after guiding the ‘Cats to a 41-0 lead. McAndrews displayed good poise in the pocket, as well as the ability to use his legs to extend plays and run for first downs. His performance will be crucial for the Wildcats to compete in the formidable West Catholic Athletic League.
“I think we can expect a lot of this,” said Regalia. “He’s very smart, manages the game well, manages our offense well, and he’s got a great connection with the guys around him. This is a good start, he showed some things he can do. I know Mac well, he will take this, but he and we are not satisfied with where we’re at. He wants to keep pushing, and find ways to use this to get better.”
Another shining star for St. Ignatius was WR/DB Gus Parker. After a junior year in which he excelled at defensive back, Parker was given the opportunity to shine on the offensive side of the ball and he made the most of it. He caught three passes for 64 yards and two scores, as well as returning a punt all the way. His friends, coaches, and teammates describe Parker as the ultimate competitor. From the first second to the last, Parker gives his 100 percent. His superb speed and vision make him a force to be reckoned with in any competition.
“Any time I step on a field I want to be the best player on that field,” said Parker. “I just get in the zone when it’s game time.”
It was a night to forget for Palo Alto, with little to smile about and much to improve, but one of the few positives came with a few minutes remaining. The Vikings mustered up what they had left in the tank to put together a drive in the final minutes of the game. Their effort came to fruit when Jack Newman rushed the ball in from two yards out, bringing the score to 41-6.
The Vikings will look to change their fortunes next weekend at home against Leland (0-1). Meanwhile, the Wildcats will face a huge test against Jesuit (1-0) in the battle of the Jesuit schools. The ‘Cats will be tested, but they’ll have the help of their student section in yet another Friday night game.
