When they take the field on Saturday night for a key Frontier League clash, Bishop Diego will have more players on its football team than Grace Brethren.
But numbers can be deceiving, because what Grace Brethren lacks in quantity it’s made up in quality.
“They’re a very dangerous team because, while short on numbers, they have talented football players, including perhaps the best player in the league,” said Bishop coach Tom Crawford, referring to senior quarterback Max Leffler.
The Cardinals hope to contain Leffler at La Playa Stadium in a game that gives the winner an inside track to the league championship. Bishop (4-3) is 2-0 while Grace Brethren (4-3) is 1-0.
Leffler used his arm to lead Grace Brethren to the CIF East Valley semifinals last year. He passed for more than 3,300 yards.
This year, under first-year coach Josh Henderson, Leffler has become a dual threat. He’s thrown for 841 yards and nine touchdowns and he’s the Lancers’ leading rusher with 562 yards. He ran for 143 in a 27-20 loss to Carpinteria.
“He is a big-play guy who is solid and competitive,” Crawford said. “While surrounded by quality athletes, he has the ability to take over a game with both his running and throwing as he has shown several times this year. We must contain him — no one stops him completely — to have a chance to win.”
Leffler is the main man on a squad of only 18 players on its roster. But no one is feeling sorry for Lancers. They’ve proven they can win with 18 and win big. In their four victories, they’ve scored 46, 39, 55 and 34 points.
“Grace is also capable of playing physical football with a pounding running game,” Crawford said.
Kendall Rettig, a 5-10, 190-pound running back, has gained 525 yards on 85 carries and scored five touchdowns.
Crawford also noted that the Lancers are big on the defensive line and inside linebackers, “so we expect it to be a physical contest.”
Bishop isn’t a power football team, but the Cardinals get opponents off balance with their diversity and execution on offense.
“We’re more diverse and finesse than straight power, so I’m not sure we can wear them out,” said Crawford. “What I do think is that if we execute, we will move the ball, as they do not give you looks which are unfamiliar or confusing — in other words they are schemes our guys should recognize.”
Crawford likes how his team has formed into a cohesive and confident unit.
“What I do like about our progress is the way we are finishing plays compared to even two weeks ago and, for the most part, minimizing the negative plays.
“We’ve also reached the point where there is a confidence level and steadiness that is reflective of a group that thinks they can compete no matter the opponent,” Crawford added. “One example, after getting stopped after 15 plays at the 1-foot line against Santa Clara, our kids responded by stuffing SC inside their 10 as opposed to hanging heads. As a coach, I appreciate that as a sign of maturity — dealing with both the good and bad with an evenness and play-by-play approach.”
One of the keys to the Cardinals’ improved play is the development of the unheralded players on the squad.
Crawford said players like Tom Renick, Mike Winnewisser, Troy Skinner and Keegan Araujo and Jesus Valle have stepped up and made a difference.
They’ll need everyone to step up on Saturday.
WHO: Santa Barbara (2-6, 1-1) at Dos Pueblos (4-3, 1-0)
WHERE & WHEN: Friday, Scott O’Leary Stadium, 7 p.m.
Dos Pueblos’ football team cleared a big hurdle last Friday in its quest for a Channel League championship this season, bringing down Buena 17-0 at Scott O’Leary Stadium. In order to keep their unbeaten league record intact, the Chargers must leap past Santa Barbara on Friday when the two teams meet at Dos Pueblos.
The high of winning the Big Game for Santa Barbara was taken away by last week’s 31-6 reality check from Ventura. The Dons have only two games remaining because of a bye in their final week.
Verdict: Chargers 33-10
WHO: Grace Brethren (4-3) at Bishop Diego (4-3)
WHERE & WHEN: Saturday, La Playa Stadium, 7 p.m.
This is a HUGE game for both teams as it is the de facto Frontier League championship game. The Cardinals have already bagged two league wins while the Lancers beat Santa Clara 34-7 in their only league game so far.
Verdict: Bishop Diego 33, Grace Brethren 27
WHO: San Marcos (1-6, 0-1) at Ventura (5-3, 2-0)
WHERE & WHEN: Friday, Larrabee Stadium, 7 p.m.
Ventura needs to get past San Marcos for a chance to play for a Channel League title on November 11, as the Cougars have their bye week before facing Dos Pueblos in their last game of the season.
The Royals are coming off a bye week, having lost to Santa Barbara 6-0 in their last game two weeks ago.
The Verdict: Ventura 34, San Marcos 10
WHO: Carpinteria (6-1, 2-0) at Oak Park (5-2, 1-0)
WHERE & WHEN: Friday, at Oak Park, 7:30 p.m.
A lot is riding on the line here in this Tri-Valley League matchup. The Warriors and Eagles are two-of-three unbeaten teams in league. Nordhoff is the other.
The Warriors are 2-0 and travel to Oak Park(1-0) hoping to hold on to its perfect league record going into the following week’s matchup with Nordhoff.
The Verdict: Carpinteria 17, Oak Park 15
