Monday Morning Lights: Moreau’s father-son duo making memories on, off field

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MOREAU CATHOLIC: PODCAST IS FAMILY BUSINESS

When Seth Evans, a junior linebacker on Moreau Catholic’s section and regional championship team, started a podcast before the season, he didn’t have to look far to find a co-host.

“Me and my dad, we’ve been together through everything,” Seth told the Bay Area News Group.

Dion, who is an assistant coach on the Moreau staff, was up to the task for being one-half of the “Father + Son + Football” podcast, a weekly show the duo record. They discuss the previous week’s game, as well as other topics.

“The purpose is to teach him how to properly communicate, regardless of the situation, scenario and his emotions,” Dion said. “Because when he goes to college, media can destroy you if you’re not prepared for it. It’s written in ink, not pencil.”

But as Moreau’s team has embarked on a truly special season, one that will end on Friday in the Division 7-AA state title game against against Lindsay in Fullerton, father and son have found that the podcast is beginning to serve another purpose.

The shows have become a chronicle of sorts for Seth’s season, one that the family will cherish long after he graduates in 2026.

“I will be watching this tape forever,” Dion Evans said.

– Joseph Dycus

ST. FRANCIS: STAR RB TO TAKE LDS MISSION BEFORE ENROLLING AT BYU

Kingston Keanaaina officially signed with BYU on Wednesday. But that doesn’t mean the St. Francis star running back will be playing for the Cougars right away next season.

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Keanaaina plans to serve his mission before enrolling at BYU, he told the Bay Area News Group.

“BYU is great,” Keanaaina said. “Shoutout to them. They’re going to hold my scholarship when I go on my mission, and then when I come back, I’ll be ready to go.”

LDS missions typically last two years for single men, and Keanaaina told this news organization he plans to enroll at BYU in 2027. BYU is the leading LDS school in the United States, and many BYU players serve on their missions before starting their college careers.

In the final game of his high school career on Friday night against Grant-Sacramento, Keanaaina rushed for 128 yards on 26 carries while battling through a shoulder injury.

He finished his senior year with 2,273 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns on the ground. Now, the page turns to the next chapter at the end of this school year.

“I can’t wait,” Keanaaina said.

– Christian Babcock

MCCLYMONDS: OAKLAND POWER STAYS ON POINT

McClymonds coach Michael Peters had a strong message for the California Interscholastic Federation after his team lost the 3-AA NorCal title game to Amador Valley 44-33 on Friday night. The Warriors, who rostered only 19 varsity players, were noticeably fatigued down the stretch as they were outscored 22-0 over the last 10 minutes.

The longtime coach believed it was unfair that his team was matched up with a larger school with a roster of 50 and hopes that the CIF takes notice of his team losing in the 3-A and 3-AA NorCal regionals, and the 2-AA state title, over the past three seasons.

“I just keep feeling like we keep getting the cold shoulder,” Peters said. “My boys played hard, but they know that we don’t have enough bodies. We were worn out. … we shouldn’t be in that situation.”

– Joseph Dycus

GRANT-SACRAMENTO: STAR WR EXPLAINS CHEESY NICKNAME

It’s not every day you come across a football player named Cheese.

But that’s what St. Francis was faced with on Friday when it played host to Grant for the NorCal 2-AA championship. The Pacers boast a deep and talented wide receiving corps headlined by sophomore Koby “Cheese” Shabazz, who caught two touchdown passes and already holds a Division I scholarship offer from Colorado State.

So where does his delicious nickname come from? Allow him to explain.

“I’m playing (Madden) with my coaches, and I asked my mom for a grilled cheese (while playing),” he said. “That, and I guess I run cheesy plays in Madden. I think I’m just good, me personally.”

Food-based nicknames have been all the rage lately in football. Perhaps most famously, Ahmad Gardner, one of the best young cornerbacks in the NFL, is better known as “Sauce.”

He even secured a lucrative endorsement deal with Buffalo Wild Wings to promote his “Sauce Sauce” that is available on their chicken wings.

Perhaps in the NIL era, a similar deal will be available down the road for Shabazz. He was definitely cheesin’ after the game on Friday, as Grant took down St. Francis 32-30 after a wild finish to advance to the 2-AA state title matchup on Friday against Pacifica-Oxnard in Mission Viejo.

– Christian Babcock

PEEK AHEAD TO STATE FINALS

OPEN DIVISION

De La Salle (12-0) vs. Mater Dei-Santa Ana (12-0) at Saddleback College, Saturday, 8 p.m.

DIVISION 1-AA

Pittsburg (12-2) vs. Lincoln-San Diego (11-2) at Saddleback College, Friday, 8 p.m.

DIVISION 3-AA

Amador Valley (10-4) vs. Frontier-Bakersfield (10-4) at Long Beach City College, Friday, 8 p.m.

DIVISION 7-AA

Moreau Catholic (10-4) vs. Lindsay (10-5) at Fullerton UHSD Stadium, Friday, 4 p.m.