Both teams are ranked in the top 10 of their respective CIF divisions and both are headed to the playoffs.
One team is a league champion while the other still has a chance to share a league title.
That’s all great for the football teams of Bishop Diego and Carpinteria, but the only thing that matters to them this week is winning the annual Little Big Game.
“Not a whole lot has to be said,” said Carpinteria coach of the rivalry.
This year’s battle for bragging rights is on Friday night at SBCC’s La Playa Stadium.
Carpinteria has won the last four meetings.
Bishop Diego senior running back Brandon Gonzalez, a four-year varsity player, is well aware of that fact.
“I’m looking forward Carp,” he said after his four-touchdown performance in last Saturday’s 54-3 romp over Villanova that gave Bishop the undisputed Frontier League championship. “I haven’t beaten them yet. They better watch out, because we’re coming after them.”
Bishop Diego (8-1), the No. 5 team in the East Valley Division, brings and eight-game winning streak into the game. The lone loss was a 1-point decision (23-22) against Santa Ynez in the season opener.
Carpinteria (7-2) is coming off a disappointing 34-24 loss at Nordhoff that cost it the undisputed Tri-Valley League title. The Warriors, which dropped from fourth to seventh in the CIF Northwest Division rankings, can earn a share of the TVL title, if Nordhoff loses at Oak Park on Friday night. That would leave all three teams at 3-1 in league.
Both Bishop coach Tom Crawford and Carpinteria’s Ben Hallock look at this game as good preparation for the playoffs.
The competition will be fierce as both teams are well-coached and have plenty of playmakers.
Bishop’s offense is led by the quietly efficient Nolan Tisdale. The senior quarterback has completed nearly 61 percent of his passes ( 76 of 125) for 1,115 yards and 20 touchdowns, with only four interceptions. His two favorite targets are speed-burning flanker Sam Kwock (17 receptions for 288 yards) and tight end Reese Moulton (16-282).
The Cardinals’ running game is led by the 1-2 punch of Gonzalez (918 yards) and Jack Gregson (626 yards).
Linebacker Thomas Renick keys a swarming defense that has allowed only 99 points this season.
The Bishop defense will be facing a Carpinteria attack that has scored more than 32 points in its last six games.
The Warriors all season have gotten solid play from sophomore quarterback Ian Craddock. He’s completed 62 percent of his passes (61 of 98) for 967 yards and nine touchdowns, with only three interceptions.
Craddock’s steady play has been aided by an experienced group of playmakers around him, players like senior fullback Jeffrey Moorhouse and senior receiver Jordan Robinson. Junior running back Paul Cortez has stepped up and played well in place of the injured Alex Rodriguez.
Linebacker Moorhouse and senior end Andrew Sova lead a scrappy defensive unit.
Because of the Veteran’s Day holiday on Friday, several teams are playing on Thursday. Here are the capsules of Thursday’s games.
San Marcos (1-8, 0-3) at Dos Pueblos (2-7, 2-1): The Royals look to achieve one of their goals: win a crosstown rivalry game. To do that, they’ll need to stop a healthy and fresh DP running back Josh Bartley. He ran wild in last week’s win over Santa Barbara. The Chargers are peaking at the right time of the year and have their sights on a city championship, sole possession of second place in the league and a guaranteed playoff spot. The Pick: Dos Puebos.
Buena (2-7, 1-2) at Santa Barbara (5-4, 1-2): All is not lost for the Dons, losers of their last two league games. A win in the regular-season finale could earn them an at-large berth in the CIF Western Division playoffs There are four at-large berths available. Santa Barbara will be looking to get running back Cheroke Cunningham going again. He’s been held under 100 yards in the last two games. Defensively, the Dons need to contain Buena’s athletic quarterback Kendrick Mathis. The Pick: Santa Barbara.
Friday
Carpinteria (7-2) vs. Bishop Diego (8-1), at SBCC: It’s a non-league game that means the world to the players involved. Bishop’s seniors are hungry for a win, having never beaten the Warriors. Both teams possess potent offenses, so which defense comes up with the big stops will determine the outcome. The Pick: Bishop Diego
