The St. Anthony Saints will kick off the 2026 football season at Clark Field on Friday evening, hosting Canyon Springs in a much‑anticipated opener that pits two of California’s tightly clustered programs against each other for the first time.
A Fresh Challenge for the Saints
Head Coach Jeff Magdaleno, who took the reins after a winless 2025 campaign, says the matchup is designed to test his squad early, even though the Saints bring just 42 players to the field while Canyon Springs fields a larger contingent of over 50.
Among the returning starters, quarterback Aidan Jones and versatile playmaker Dion Myers are expected to shoulder the offensive load, while sophomore Juice Smith and a group of freshmen will add depth on both sides of the ball.
Canyon Springs counters with a veteran‑laden roster, featuring senior quarterback Angel Robles, who impressed in preseason action against Rancho Verde, and junior receiver Donte Todd, both of whom helped the team finish 8‑2 last year.
The Saints entered 2025 with a 3‑8 record, while the opposition finished 8‑2 and sit just above St. Anthony in the state rankings, No. 223 versus No. 216, making the contest a genuine test of early momentum.
Local fans and alumni have turned out in force, hoping the new coaching direction and fresh talent will translate into a winning start that could set the tone for the remainder of the season.