Saint Francis Routs Lakeside Christian 41-7
Saint Francis Catholic Academy advanced in the Sunshine State Athletic Association 8-Man State Championship with a quarterfinal win.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Football
Saint Francis Catholic Academy, the No. 2 seed, defeated No. 7 seed Lakeside Christian 41-7 in the Sunshine State Athletic Association 8-Man State Championship quarterfinal on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026. The win improved Saint Francis to 9-2 on the season.
Why it matters
The victory moves Saint Francis into the state semifinals, where it will host Foundation Christian Academy, giving the team a home game in the next round of the statewide tournament. The result keeps a strong season alive for a program competing for a state title in Florida.
Jake Long scored three rushing touchdowns in the first half, including a run of more than 40 yards on third-and-4 with 8:40 left in the first quarter. Saint Francis led 21-0 at halftime before adding three more rushing scores in the final quarter.
The players
Saint Francis Catholic Academy
A Catholic school in Florida whose football team is the No. 2 seed in the Sunshine State Athletic Association 8-Man State Championship bracket.
Lakeside Christian
A Christian school in Clearwater, Florida, whose team is the No. 7 seed in the Sunshine State Athletic Association 8-Man State Championship bracket.
Foundation Christian Academy
A Christian school in Valrico, Florida, whose team is the No. 3 seed and won its quarterfinal 42-28 over Shorecrest Prep.
The details
Saint Francis Catholic Academy led 21-0 at halftime, with Jake Long scoring three rushing touchdowns in the first half. Gabe Puentes intercepted a Lakeside Christian pass, and Wyatt Norton scored Lakeside Christian's only touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Timeline
Friday, Nov. 6, 2026: Saint Francis Catholic Academy beat Lakeside Christian 41-7 in the quarterfinal.
Friday, Nov. 13, 2026, 7 p.m.: Saint Francis Catholic hosts Foundation Christian Academy in the semifinal.
Season Trajectory
The quarterfinal win moves Saint Francis Catholic Academy one step closer to a state title within the Sunshine State Athletic Association 8-Man State Championship bracket. Its progress keeps the program in contention among the remaining top seeds in the tournament field.
The semifinal is set for Friday, Nov. 13, 2026, at 7 p.m. at Saint Francis Catholic, so fans planning to attend can mark that date. Saint Francis will play at home in the next round because it earned the higher seed in the bracket.
The takeaway
A home semifinal gives Saint Francis Catholic Academy an advantage as it chases a state championship. Readers following Florida high school football can track the next round on Friday, Nov. 13.
What happens next
Saint Francis Catholic Academy hosts Foundation Christian Academy in the semifinals on Friday, Nov. 13, 2026, at 7 p.m.
Further reading
For more high school action, explore the latest Football coverage across Florida.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mainstreet Daily News Gainesville.
