cover story
cont’d from p. 26
open tight end Nolan Tooley for a 49-yard TD. Santiago Bollag drills the first of six straight conversion kicks for a 13-0 lead. Williams is woozy on the sideline. He had been suffering from flu symptoms earlier in the week, and the last run exhausted him. He takes a seat, but the Cardinals’ running game does not suffer behind the veteran offensive line. Plowing through holes are Abel Gonzalez, FRIDAY, AUGUST 30: Ricky Herrera, Daniel Molina, Walter Hernandez, and B.J. Murillo, whose 40-yard scamper puts the Cardinals ahead 20-0 at the end of the first quarter. Bishop’s two-quarterback rotation works like a charm. Carter and Gabe Molina alternate taking the snaps, bringing in the plays from Crawford. “It keeps each quarterback fresh,” says Carter. He shoots a nifty shovel pass to Gonzalez for a 49-yard score. Molina connects with Murillo on a 33-yard TD pass, and Bishop leads at halftime, 34-0. In the SBCC locker room, Crawford tells the team they won’t run up the score by throwing the ball. He wants to see them execute the ground game: “Stay on your blocks, be physical, finish TAKIN’ IT TO THE LIMIT: Bishop Diego’s Anthony them.” Molina reminds the defense to keep track Carter (1) electrified the crowd when he returned of the Saints’ athletic quarterback Dominique the opening kickoff of the 2013 football season 69 Garrett. yards. Santa Maria’s Fidencio Rodriguez made a A short TD run by Murillo puts Bishop ahead touchdown-saving tackle. 41-0 in the third quarter. Because the Cardinals lead by more than 35 points, the clock runs without stopIt was 93 degrees in the afternoon when Bishop’s junior ping throughout the final period. Bishop’s defensive subvarsity team played Santa Maria on the school field. At stitutes secure a shutout, and Nunzio Billotti’s dazzling seaside La Playa Stadium, 45 minutes before 7:30 kickoff 73-yard interception return caps a 48-0 victory. of the varsity game, Crawford says,“This feels like air After the postgame handshakes with the Saints, and conditioning.” the singing of the alma mater with the cheerleaders, the The coaches are all wearing new hats with a logo Cardinals hear parting comments from the coaches. designed by Capritto. Molina is superstitious about the Crawford is pleased with the team’s depth, telling them rest of his attire.“I’ve got the same shirt and the same Nike shoes I’ve worn for three years,” he says.“The only time I wear them is at games. Last year I wore a new pullover at the Mission Prep game. It wasn’t going so well, and I took the damn thing off.” Capritto saved a shoelace that had broken during Bishop’s winning streak.“I almost threw it away,” he says,“but I put it in my bag instead.” “We always sit in the same chairs at the team meal,” Crawford says. Today’s pregame meal was served at the school early in the afternoon by parents.“Chicken pasta, salad, bread, and lots of water,” Crawford says. The teams warm up on opposite sides of the 50-yard line. The Cardinals are clad in red uniforms with black numbers. Santa Maria’s Saints wear white with red trim. Clouds to the west of the stadium take on a reddish hue as the sun sets on the balmy evening. LEADER OF THE PACK: Head coach Tom Before the national anthem is sung, the Cardinals Crawford has been pointing things out to the receive final instructions from the coaches.“If you Bishop Diego football team for 14 years. need a blow,” Crawford says,“be sure to communicate with the coaches.” He adds,“I don’t have anything else he couldn’t tell the difference when reserves took the to say other than, take care of business.” place of starters. He says they have to work on their conMolina reminds the seniors that they are beginning ditioning and remember the times they came up short. “I the last chapter of their careers.“Whose time is it?” he don’t like to see us in a fourth-and-one,” he says.“If you’d asks. stayed on a block, we’d have a first down.” “Our time!” The Cardinals’ next opponent will be a serious chal“What kind of football are you gonna play?” lenge. They’ll be traveling to Santa Ynez, whose Pirates “Bishop football!” The experience of the Cardinals emerges immediately have opened their season an 11-7 victory over Dos Pueblos.“We’ll have Santa Ynez game film on Huddle against a Santa Maria team that is coming off a 1-9 seatomorrow morning when you wake up,” Crawford says. son. Bishop’s versatile Anthony Carter takes the opening (Huddle is a computer program through which high kickoff at the 15 and breaks into the clear. He runs 69 school teams exchange videos that can be transmitted to yards before a shoestring tackle brings him down at the players’ computers and smart phones.) Santa Maria 16. Two plays later, All-CIF running back “Good job, Amtrak,” a man says to Braniff as the Aidan Williams powers up the middle for 11 yards and a Cardinals leave the stadium.“That was my Little League touchdown. Less than a minute into the game, it’s 6-0. coach,” the Bishop center says. Braniff is feeling good. Lightning strikes again after a Santa Maria punt is “We all did our jobs,” he says. “It was a good beginning. downed on the Bishop 10. Williams rips off a 41-yard gain, and on the next play, Gabe Molina passes to a wide- The whole process starts again Monday.” ■
reek of soil and sweat.“It’s obvious by now who hasn’t washed their jerseys all week,” Braniff says. Crawford checks on a player who had a concussion two weeks ago.“If you feel a headache or nausea, speak out,” the coach says. The practice is devoted to special teams and running through plays.
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