The562’s coverage of St. Anthony Football is sponsored in part by Wasco Development Corp in Honor of B.I. Mais.
St. Anthony freshman Noah Furlow wasn’t expecting to play as the Saints took on Marina Friday night in Downey.
But, when junior Adrian Perez had to be sidelined due to an injury Furlow was thrust into his first varsity action, just one day after leading the Saints freshman team to a win.
Furlow did not disappoint with two touchdown passes as St. Anthony defeated Marina, 48-29.
“I was a little nervous,” Furlow said. “First time playing varsity, but you know I left it all the field and did my best.”
Furlow’s best was all the Saints (2-3) needed as St. Anthony pounded the Vikings with their running back tandem of Elijah Lolesio-Pua and Nathan Martinez. The duo combined for three touchdowns.
It was just what the Saints needed to take the pressure off their freshman quarterback.
Lolesio-Pua put the Saints on the board with a 3-yard touchdown to give St. Anthony an early 6-0 lead. The junior extended that lead after he recovered a fumble with a 21-yard touchdown to give St. Anthony a 12-0 lead with 1:47 remaining in the first quarter.
Furlow got into the action with his arm on the Saints next drive as he connected with Darius Davis for a 9-yard touchdown – his first of two touchdowns to the senior.
After the Saints defense forced a punt a couple possessions later, Furlow connected with Davis again, this time for a 66-yard touchdown to give St. Anthony a comfortable 26-0 lead.
“We obviously weren’t expecting (Furlow) to play tonight,” St. Anthony coach Raul Lara said. ”But, Noah just came in there and that’s the thing about Noah, even though he doesn’t get many reps at practice, he pays attention, he’s into details, he asks a lot of questions.”
Furlow finished the game with 88 yards and two touchdowns. Davis finished the game with four catches and 96 yards.
The Saints defense came up big as Landon Washington had one interception returned for a touchdown.
St. Anthony will be at home next week to take on undefeated Campbell Hall.
