HS FOOT: St. Francis QB Posthuma shows some grit

One week after losing a fumble near the end zone with one minute left to cost St. Francis of La Canada a chance to upset powerful Notre Dame in a 28-24 football loss, Justin Posthuma came through like a champion Friday. He completed the winning touchdown pass with 11 seconds remaining in a 27-23 comeback victory over visiting Loyola of Los Angeles.

"It was like polar opposites," Posthuma said. "After I blew that chance against Notre Dame, I couldn't even look at myself in the mirror. The team gave me nothing but support, but I was still feeling down about it. Then, against Loyola, I was in that same situation, the situation that I have always wanted to be in, and I made the pass, Travis Talianko made a great catch, and we were victorious.

"What a difference for team morale in the locker room afterwards."

Posthuma, a 6-foot-2 senior, has completed 58.6 percent for 1,225 yards and 10 touchdowns, including three against Loyola. He has also scored eight touchdowns heading into a Mission League opener Friday between the Golden Knights (6-1) and visiting St. Paul of Santa Fe Springs (3-4).

-- Gerry Gittelson