St. Francis vs. Helix Preview

<p><em>Previewing the St. Francis vs. Helix Friday night matchup in Mountain View. Helix opened the season with a 38-34 victory over Edison in week-0 with strong performances from several D-I prospects/commits. St. Francis comes into 2023 off an 8-4 finish last season with talented 2025 standouts returning on both sides of the ball. </em></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Helix<strong> </strong></h2>   <p><strong>Offense </strong></p>   <p>Helix's offense got off to a strong start with a 38-34 shootout win over Edison in their week-0 season opener. Fourth-year starter and Nevada-commit [player_tooltip player_id='115450' first='Ryland' last='Jessee'] was efficient in the win, completing 13/18 for 245 yards and 2 TDs. He's a polished, steady pocket passer that sets his feet and delivers with accuracy, is patient in his progressions, and can pick up chunks with his legs when plays break down. Returning starting RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1128224' first='Kevin' last='Allen']</strong> carried 24 times for 102 yards and 2 TDs and added a KR TD last week. Allen's a fast, versatile athlete that's a threat to score any time he touches the ball- he added offers from Eastern Washington, Utah St., and Army this offseason. Senior WR/FS [player_tooltip player_id='683674' first='Jackson' last='Daniels'] is a skilled perimeter receiver that had a TD on 3 catches last week. Senior WR Kyzza Matovu is a big target at 6'3/215 and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='401222' first='Brandon' last='Arrington'] is another athletic playmaker. Veteran C <strong>Ryan Mason</strong> anchors a strong, experienced OL group that also includes seniors <strong>Jeremiah</strong> <strong>Savaiinaea</strong> (OG) and <strong>Orlando Nambo</strong> (OT). </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JesseeRyland/status/1674229457035616258?s=20 </div></figure>   <p><strong>Defense </strong></p>   <p>Helix's defensive unit is led by 2 physical senior LBs in [player_tooltip player_id='115440' first='Kairo' last='Kahananui'], and [player_tooltip player_id='398493' first='Jirah' last='Savaiinaea']. Kahananui picked up offers from Army and Utah Tech and has generated interest from several other D-I programs. Brothers <strong>Jordan Gash</strong> and <strong>Anthony Gash</strong> set the edges from both DE spots. Senior FS [player_tooltip player_id='683674' first='Jackson' last='Daniels'] is a rangy deep-middle safety with great instincts and ball-skills- he had 2 INTs and a PBU in Helix's opener. Senior RB/CB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1128224' first='Kevin' last='Allen']</strong> is another talented two-way athlete in the Highlander secondary.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KairoKahananui/status/1670289720398712832?s=20 </div></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>St. Francis</strong></h2>   <p><strong>Offense </strong></p>   <p>St. Francis' offense returns it's leading rusher from last season in junior RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='976891' first='Kingston' last='Keanaaina']</strong>. He picked up his first offer from Arizona in May after rushing for 780 yards and 10 TDs on 137 carries as a sophomore. He's a balanced, all-around back that runs with powerful leg drive and great balance through contact. Fellow junior QB [player_tooltip player_id='406706' first='Aaron' last='Knapp'] saw valuable time in two starts last season, both of which St. Francis won. Knapp overcame lymphoma this offseason and looks ready to take over the starting role for the Lancers. Sophomore WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1000909' first='Perrion' last='Williams']</strong> is a perimeter playmaker to watch- he just picked up his first offer from Washington St. in June. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KingKeanaaina/status/1661801885710553088?s=20 </div></figure>   <p><strong>Defense</strong></p>   <p>Junior LB [player_tooltip player_id='282692' first='Jackson' last='Cahoon'] is an extremely active and physical defender on the Lancers' front-seven. He's a violent hitter and flies to the football with great motor. Cahoon, who also plays LS, picked up his first offer from FIU in June. Senior DL <strong>Siaosi Tonga</strong> is a disruptive force up front that can clog interior lanes and make hard-nose plays behind the LOS. Senior FS/WR [player_tooltip player_id='943002' first='Mack' last='Mrowka'] is a rangy athlete in the secondary at 6'3"/190 that can create turnovers and PBUs at the second/third levels. He led the team in INTs last season with 3 and picked up his first D-I offer from USD in June. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/mack_mrowka/status/1671590143529205761?s=20 </div></figure>

Previewing the St. Francis vs. Helix Friday night matchup in Mountain View. Helix opened the season with a 38-34 victory over Edison in week-0 with strong performances from several D-I prospects/commits. St. Francis comes into 2023 off an 8-4 finish last season with talented 2025 standouts returning on both sides of the ball.