living | Sports
Despite a Hard-Fought Game, the CIF Finals Elude Bishop Diego by John Zant
ve erythiing that is exciting, dangerous, fright-
Lash; a 22-yard scamper by Daniel Molina, Gabe’s younger brother; and a brilliant 27-yard scoring dash by Aidan Williams after Carter flipped him a short shovel pass. The Cardinals led, 21-16. The Rangers came right back after a short kickoff and a long return set them up at the Bishop 33. Woodcock’s TD run and a two-point conversion put them ahead, 24-21. It was the sixth lead change of the game. In the fourth quarter, the Cardinals’ defense came up with two stops to keep them within three points. With 3:06 remaining, the offense took over at its own 20. Carter, who also played safety on defense, was fighting exhaustion. He had
PAUL WELLMAN PHOTOS
what it takes to compete, day in and day out. When Gabe gets hurt, it puts things into perspective a little bit. It is a game. … This one was a great football game.” It kicked off a weekend of gridiron drama, experienced on Saturday by those who watched Ohio State versus Michigan semifinals. — the Wolverines went down to defeat like Bishop Diego on Bishop Diego’s lineup was laden with seniors who made it a potential game-winning pass (for a two-point PAT) that to the semis for the third consecutive year. It was their mission was intercepted — and then the incredible Auburn upset of to play for the championship of the Northwest Division, and Alabama. in the final 30 seconds of Friday’s game, they were eight yards Ralph Molina told the Cardinals,“I’ve been around a long away from accomplishment. Standing in their way was the time. I coached here when we didn’t win a game all year. I’m sturdy defense of the Nordhoff Rangers, the defending CIF proud to be part of this. I’m proud to have my sons part of champions from Ojai. this.” He left for the hospital, The marquee matchup, where Gabe would be released Bishop Diego’s first home playat 1:30 a.m.“He’s got a strained off game in three years, brought neck, and probably a concusa crowd of 5,000 to SBCC’s La sion,” the dad/coach/police offiPlaya Stadium. The two wellcer said.“He’ll be all right.” coached teams pulled out all the Bishop Diego players linstops. Bishop tried a fake punt; gered on the field after NordNordhoff faked a field goal. The hoff departed in triumph. For defenses stopped both plays. most of them, it was the last Bishop’s first touchdown came time they would wear their after a 42-yard pass from Gabe padded Cardinal uniforms. Molina to Anthony Carter, They had pushed and pulled who alternates at the quartereach other through long, back position with Molina. Norsweaty practices, through many dhoff got rolling on a 56-yard wins and few defeats (33-6 in burst by running back Matt 2011 through 2013), and now Woodcock. they shared the pain of absoThere was a critical turnover. lute finality. Late in the first half, leading “There’s no next year,” line14-10, the Cardinals fumbled man Jack Braniff said. “We left everything on the field. I deep in Nordhoff territory. The couldn’t find a better group Rangers brought the ball out to of guys to spend the past four midfield, and on the last play of years of my life with.” the half, Cooper Garcia boomed “It sucks,” said Williams, who a 50-yard field goal to make the scored two touchdowns.“It’s score 14-13. one of the worst feelings.” At 5:12 in the third quarter, “It’s terrible, knowing that it’s the clock stopped and the staover,” tackle Joe Salcedo said. dium went silent. Molina, who “It hurts knowing we couldn’t tried to stop a bruising 10-yard come through for our brothers run by Woodcock, lay flat on the THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY: A 27-yard touchdown run by Aidan Williams (left) gave Bishop Diego a 21-16 lead over at the end. I’d give anything to turf. Ralph Molina was among Nordhoff late in the third quarter. Bishop Diego’s Thomas Lash (right) knelt on the turf as Nordhoff players leapt in celebrathe first to check on his son. have a practice on Monday.” tion of their 24-21 victory. John Samson, a short “Gabe took a shot to the and stocky lineman known as head,” said Molina, a longtime “Cowboy,” came over to the 6 6 Salcedo and hugged him assistant coach and former player at Bishop Diego.“I saw him no choice but to suck it up and make plays. He completed tightly. The two went off by themselves and sat together in the moving, but his neck hurt, and we weren’t going to take any six consecutive passes. B.J. Murillo snagged a 20-yarder in end zone for several minutes. chances.” Paramedics and an ambulance were on standby, and Nordhoff territory. Daniel Molina’s reception gave the Cardinals a first-and-goal at the eight with 28 seconds remaining. Samson was smiling after the encounter.“It’s amazing,” he they carefully removed the player on a stretcher during a pro“I really thought we had it,” Bishop head coach Tom Craw- said.“Joe and I didn’t know each other before our freshman longed time-out — a Hail Mary pause. ford said. year. Now we’re best friends. It hurt to lose tonight, but look Ralph Molina went back to coaching after Gabe went off A spike on first down stopped the clock. On second down, what we got out of this. We got a friendship for life.” to the hospital with his mother.“I know it’s scary seeing the ambulance on the field, but a lot of stuff looks worse than it is,” Carter’s pass into the end zone fell incomplete. There were 23 GAUCHO CINDERELLAS: UCSB, projected to place seconds remaining. On third down, Carter dropped back to Molina said.“I’m a police officer. I’ve seen a lot of kids in the sixth in Big West women’s volleyball under new head coach pass, and a fierce rush by Nordhoff forced him to retreat. He ER. There’s a risk in every sport, but I’ve seen horrible things desperately threw the ball toward the end zone, but it came up Nicole Lantagne Welch, finished as co-champions and will happen to kids who don’t play sports.” play at the University of San Diego on Friday, December 6, in short and was picked off by Nordhoff ’s Shane Hersh. When the game resumed, the Cardinals seemed a bit the NCAA tournament. Just like that, Bishop Diego’s hopes of playing El Segundo deflated. Garcia nailed his third field goal of the game to for the championship this weekend were dashed. The quest of put Nordhoff ahead, 16-14. And now, because of Molina’s the seniors, who had been on this brink so many times, ended injury, Bishop’s two-quarterback system was reduced to one in another frustration. quarterback. “It’s been a hell of a ride,” Crawford proclaimed as the tearCarter took up the challenge. He led the Cardinals to a For more sports, including a weekly highlight schedule, ful young men gathered around him.“You showed everybody touchdown in three big plays: a 34-yard pass to Thomas see independent.com/sports. ening, inspiring, and heartbreaking about football came into play last Friday night when the Bishop Diego High Cardinals tried to break through the barrier of the CIF Southern Section
december 5, 2013
THE INDEPENDENt
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