CONCORD – On a night that De La Salle honored the late Terrance Kelly with a moment of silence, it was a senior with a similar last name who stole the show in the Concord school’s 42-7 victory over St. Francis on Friday.
Dominic Kelley is not related to Kelly, but the late De La Salle great who was tragically killed 20 years ago still had a profound impact on Dominic’s life.
Through the Terrance Kelly Youth Foundation, Kelley’s family got financial assistance for things like football pads and school lunches.
“It’s a great program, and obviously he was a great player,” Kelley said after rushing for 80 yards and two touchdowns against St. Francis. “His program impacts the future, and helps incoming players.”
Kelley was just one of many Spartans who excelled on Owen Owens field against one of the West Catholic Athletic League’s traditional powerhouses.
Coming off a resounding 39-10 victory over then-No. 2 Serra, the top-ranked Spartans did not succumb to a letdown performance against a St. Francis team that famously ended DLS’s 30-year unbeaten streak against NorCal teams back in 2021.
The famed Spartans split-back veer attack rushed for 382 yards, with Derrick Blanche leading the way with 97, sophomore sensation Duece Jones-Drew chipping in 81 and a score, and both Toa Faavae and Gregory Jones chipping in touchdowns.
Once again, De La Salle added further proof to its claim of being the best in NorCal.
“We think we’re a pretty good football team, but you know, they certainly are at a different level right now,” longtime St. Francis coach Greg Calcagno said outside the locker room.
De La Salle imposed its will early, capping a four-play opening drive with a 20-yard Faavae keeper down the right sideline. After St. Francis couldn’t respond with points, DLS went on a 19-play, 80-yard drive that ended when Kelley shook off several St. Francis tacklers for a 14-yard touchdown run.
But after the Concord school extended the lead to 21-0 with 6:41 left in the first half, St. Francis showed signs of life. First, Sean Walsh intercepted a rare De La Salle pass and returned it 45 yards for a score.
Lancers tailback Kingston Keanaaina – coming off a 336-yard game against Mack and aided by a massive offensive line that touted 355-pound John Fifita and 345-pound Atamai Matau at tackles – showed why he’s committed to BYU.
Despite being the focus of supremely-gifted defense, Keanaaina rushed for 117 yards on just 15 carries.
“We felt like they’re a team just like us, a well-coached and really physical team,” he said. “We knew that would be a challenge this week.”
After Jackson Cahoon and the St. Francis defense forced a three-and-out following the pick-six, the Lancers began driving downfield.
But with the ball just outside the red zone, De La Salle’s Niko Baumgartner kept up with Keanaaina on a wheel route out of the backfield and picked off the pass.
St. Francis got the ball to start the second half, but couldn’t make anything of it. The rout was one from there.
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While Keanaaina was productive, De La Salle’s big-time defensive tackle combo of Myah Telona and Matthew Johnson kept the Lancers from running completely unchecked like he did the week before.
“I don’t know how else to say it, but I was like, ‘This is my time to shine,’” Telona said. “I knew they were going to double team me as much as they could, and I knew I had to get off the ball as fast as possible.”
While the loss stung, Calcagno said he couldn’t be too disappointed with a 2-1 record in non-league play. The wins came against McClymonds and Helix-La Mesa.
St. Francis will have a week to rebound as it enjoys a bye before starting WCAL play. De La Salle plays at St. Mary’s-Stockton on Friday.
