Football:

By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor

Over the past three years, an argument could be made that no SGV area football player did more in more ways to help his team win games than St. Francis running back Kevin Armstead.

He rushed for 3,143 career yards and 39 touchdowns.

And keep in mind, Armstead missed a few games to injury, and in blowouts, he typically played one-half of football, and then cheered his teammates on from the sidelines.

He also caught 60 passes for 578 yards and tallied three receiving TD’s.

Before he took over full-time running back duties, Armstead did his share of damage on special teams and served as an incredibly effective defensive back that collected a team-high five interceptions during his sophomore season.

That stat sounds really good, but what made it great was the fact that Armstead was on a team loaded with talented upperclassmen, and they made the program’s first trip to the CIF-SS (D-3) finals in over 50 years.

During that run to a title-game appearance, the Golden Knights were within 10 yards of elimination in the waning moments of their first round home game with La Serna.

But among a team full of senior studs, it was the sophomore who stepped up and saved the season, with a game-saving interception, in a 31-27 victory over the Lancers, on November 10 (2017).

Two years later, Armstead and fellow seniors, Tanner Tomko, Aidan Flynn and Devan Bell were elected team captains, or “Golden Knights,” which is the program’s highest honor.

The four seniors and their teammates earned a share of the Angelus League title by thumping Cathedral, 38-0, in the regular-season finale.

St. Francis hadn’t defeated the Phantoms in four years.

In spite of all his tackle-breaking runs, 50-plus yard carries, footwork, speed, athleticism and an unmatched work ethic, Armstead still couldn’t gain the same respect he would had he been 6-foot-1 and not 5-foot-7 and 185 pounds.

Armstead’s dream since he was a young boy was to play Division 1 football.

And he made that dream come true on Monday, announcing via social media that he had officially committed to play for the University of Montana.

He couldn’t be more thankful to the school and its staff, and will do everything in his power to prove the Grizzlies made a great decision by working his butt off from day one and doing everything asked of him and more.

We asked Armstead to address the following: 1) How sweet is this moment to make a D-1 announcement when so many doubted his chances of this day becoming a reality? 2) What was the defining moment of your high school career? 3) What are your feelings towards St. Francis, your coaches and teammates? 4) What message would you give to other undersized athletes who feel they won’t get the same look as someone bigger in stature?

Said Kevin Armstead: “This is a very satisfying moment, because all of the hard work that I put into the game of football since I was a kid has paid off. The biggest moment of my career was the championship game against Rancho Verde, because Elijah (Washington) got hurt and Coach (Jim) Bonds told me I needed to step up and play both ways (running back & defensive back) and it really put me on the map. I can’t thank my coaches and teammates enough for all they’ve done for me and for all they mean to me. It’s said often in programs that they are ‘family’ and we really are family at St. Francis. The school has been so good to me and I’ve built relationships that I’ll take with me for the rest of my life. Lastly, I would tell undersized athletes to work harder than anyone else and regardless of who doubts you because of your size, if you believe in yourself and if you work hard, you will be successful. I am proof of that.”

We reached out to his fellow ‘Golden Knights’ (captains) for their comments on Armstead’s announcement. We were also happy to get in touch with his former quarterback and Kevin’s very close friend, Darius Perrantes. And finally, a quote from his father, Jeff, who for three years watched his son dominate on a football field without getting the level of fanfare he should have.

Quotable:

St. Francis captain, Tanner Tomko: “Kevin is a leader by example, he’s not the most vocal, but he always gave it his all in the games. Because of his size, people always counted him out, but he proved people wrong at Saint Francis and he’ll continue to prove himself in college.”

St. Francis captain, Devan Bell: “Kevin is a winner with a never-give-up mentality. He is the hardest worker in the weight room and on the field. He is quiet, but lets his play do the talking. I know he’s going to have a strong impact on that program and help them win. Most importantly, he believes in himself, and I know he will reach all of his life goals.”

St. Francis captain, Aidan Flynn: “Kevin is one of the hardest workers I know. He’s the guy that puts in the work behind the scenes. He leads by example and is always the first one in and last one out.”

Former St. Francis/current Rhode Island quarterback, Darius Perrantes: “Kevin used to play on the sideline of my youth tackle football games and play with my little brother. He’s been my brother since I can remember and I don’t know anyone who has been through more adversity on and off the field, but he kept his head down and kept pushing himself. He’s more than deserving of this opportunity and Montana is getting one of the hardest working running backs in the country. I can’t even explain how happy I am for him, that’s my brother for life, and hopefully I’ll get to play him at some point in our college careers, so I can put up some number against him, but it’s nothing but love for my brother Kevin. He’s gonna be a Montana great. Show them what that Cali ball all about!”

Kevin’s father, Jeff Armstead: “Hard work always pays off, believe in yourself and have faith in God that he will guide you if you just trust and believe in him. Everyone asked if I should have sent my son to another school due to lack of exposure he was getting. My response then and now, is, I enrolled my son into St. Francis for education first, and sports second. I wanted my son under coaches who were going to help mold him into a quality young man and not just a football player. As a father, I’m most proud of him becoming the team captain (Golden Knight), an honor that will always remain sacred.”

Kevin Armstead’s Career Stats:

2019: 214 carries for 1,390 yards, 14 TD’s; 22 catches, 235 yards, 1 TD

2018: 159 carries for 1,097 yards, 11 TD’s; 29 catches, 283 yards, 2 TD’s; 14 tackles (on defense)

2017: 103 carries for 656 yards, 14 TD’s; 9 catches for 60 yards; 36 tackles & five interceptions (on defense)

Career: 476 carries for 3, 143 yards and 39 rushing TD’s; 60 catches for 578 yards, 3 TD’s

St. Francis Records w/Kevin Armstead:

2019: 8-3, 2-1 (Angelus League champions)

2018: 6-5, 2-1

2017: 12-2, 4-1 (CIF-SS Division 3 runner-up)

** Thanks to Ryan Tomey for these game photos