Football Recap: Michael Mitchell Jr. Key Part of Team Effort in Crusaders Win + How To Watch

Archbishop Riordan hadn't done well against Saint Francis recently (they were 1-8 in their previous nine matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Friday. The Crusaders took down the Lancers 47-28. That result was just more of the same for these two, as the Crusaders also won the last time the pair played back in November of 2024.

Multiple players turned in solid performances to lead Archbishop Riordan to victory, but perhaps none more so than Michael Mitchell Jr., who threw for 376 yards and four touchdowns while picking up 13.4 yards per attempt. Mitchell Jr. is crushing it when it comes to passing touchdowns: he's passed for at least three every time he's taken the field this season. Kyle Welch also helped out as he racked up 165 receiving yards.

Wins are hard to come by when you can't run the rock, something Archbishop Riordan proved: they limited Saint Francis to a paltry one yards per carry. The team can thank Isaiah Grant for the heroic effort on defense: he. Archbishop Riordan hasn't allowed more than 4.9 yards per carry in three consecutive matchups.

Isaiah Grant

Total Tackles

08/30/25 vs McClymonds	3
09/05/25 @ Monte Vista	6
09/13/25 vs Pittsburg	8
09/26/25 @ Saint Francis	9

Archbishop Riordan's defense didn't let the opposing QB, get away unscathed either: they got into the backfield for four sacks. Grant was especially locked on to Saint Francis' QB and sacked him twice. Grant also set a new season-high mark in total tackles with nine.

Saint Francis lost despite a true team effort on offense. The best among them was Sefania Alatini, who picked up 93 receiving yards and a pair of scores. Saint Francis also got help from Dom Oteiza, who showed off his sure hands for 83 receiving yards.

Archbishop Riordan's win bumped their record up to 4-0. As for Saint Francis, their loss was their fourth straight at home dating back to last season, which dropped their record down to 0-4.

Both squads will have to hit the road in their upcoming contests. Archbishop Riordan will challenge Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. The two teams might be coming in a bit winded given these two teams combined for 1,268 yards in their previous games. As for Saint Francis, they will venture away from home to take on Bellarmine College Prep at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. The Lancers will be up against the Bells' rather soft defense (which has allowed 29.75 points per game), so fans could be in store for a big offensive performance.