The St. Joseph Academy Crusaders will take on the Borrego Springs Rams at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
St. Joseph Academy is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Friday. They blew past Francis Parker 64-16. Given the Crusaders' advantage in MaxPreps' California football rankings (they are ranked ninth, while the Lancers are ranked 49th) , the win wasn't entirely unexpected.
Blaise McMahon
| 11/14/25 vs Francis Parker | 208 |
| 09/06/24 vs United Christian Academy | 85 |
| 08/23/24 @ Horizon Prep | 82 |
| 10/31/25 vs Horizon Prep | 81 |
| 08/22/25 vs Julian | 66 |
Blaise McMahon had another great game (as he tends to do), rushing for 208 yards and four scores on only eight carries. Those 208 rushing yards gave him a new career-high. Josh Clow helped out on the ground, rushing for 99 yards and two rushing touchdowns.
They were just one part of a punishing run game: St. Joseph Academy was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 368 rushing yards. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Francis Parker only rushed for 133.
Meanwhile, Borrego Springs entered their tilt with Julian on Friday with three consecutive wins but they'll enter their next game with four. They blew past the Eagles, posting a 55-14 win.
St. Joseph Academy better keep an eye on Christopher Alcaraz. He was instrumental in Borrego Springs' win, throwing for 211 yards and six TDs while completing 82.4% of his passes, and also rushing for 70 yards and one touchdown on only six carries. Maurico Rodriguez was another key player, picking up 104 receiving yards and four scores.
Borrego Springs didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. The team can thank two different players for their defensive prowess: Josef Rocha and Preston Sexton, who each picked up one interception apiece.
St. Joseph Academy's record now sits at 9-1. As for Borrego Springs, their record is now an identical 9-1.
Everything came up roses for St. Joseph Academy against Borrego Springs in their previous matchup back in October, as the team secured a 48-20 victory. One of the biggest obstacles the team faced in that game was Alcaraz, who threw for 90 yards and three TDs, and also rushed for 91 yards on only 12 carries. Now that he's got a second chance to win this matchup, will the Crusaders still be able to contain Alcaraz? Check MaxPreps.com after the match to find out.
