Bishop Diego’s Dylan Streett runs into the end zone untouched for the Cardinals’ first touchdown. (Presidio Sports Photos)
Two Bishop Diego touchdowns in the fourth quarter lifted the Cardinals to a 14-9 victory over visiting Righetti on Friday night at La Playa Stadium.
Dylan Streett caught a 36-yard pass from quarterback Spencer Stovesand on the second play of the final period to give Bishop Diego its first lead of the game at 7-3. AV Bennett’s 24-yard sweep with 3:05 on the clock pushed Bishop Diego ahead 14-3.
Righetti held it together and gave itself a chance to win as DJ Freitas returned the following kickoff all the way to the Bishop Diego six-yard line. Freitas took the handoff on the next play and reached the end zone with 2:48 remaining in the game. Even though a failed two-point conversion left Righetti needing a touchdown to win, the Warriors managed to get the ball back and drive just inside Bishop Diego territory in the final seconds of the game before being intercepted by Streett on the game’s final play.
John Harris was Bishop Diego’s leading rusher.
The Cardinals expected a stiff challenge from Righetti, a larger school that was a Division 3 playoff team last year.
“We came out really bad in the first half – we didn’t execute that well – especially the first drive,” Matt Shotwell explained. “(We) came out and did our thing the second half, and that’s execute plays even though we’re not the biggest team around.”
Shotwell led the defense with 15 tackles and a sack. Ashton Borgeson was another defensive menace, collecting 12 tackles.
The Cardinals got a boost when Righetti’s DeAndre Thomas suffered a ankle injury in the first half and didn’t return.
“We were safe with him,” said Warriors head coach Ed Hermann. “He’s a good player and I just wanted to make sure we have him ready for more than just tonight.”
Bishop Diego didn’t escape unscathed either as Stovesand’s throwing hand was stepped on in the first half. The quarterback wrapped it with some extra padding, took some practice throws on the sideline, and stayed in the game.
Bennett’s TD was set up by Michael Soracco’s longest run of the day, a 20-yarder. Soracco, a senior transfer making his debut for the Cardinals, picked up 48 yards on 11 carries. Sophomore John Harris led the Cardinals with 51 rushing yards on 10 carries. Bennett, a CIF sprint champion in track & field, showed his speed on his touchdown run. He made it to the edge and raced to the end zone within inches of the sideline.
“I was looking at that corner. I didn’t know if I was going to make it but I just went for it,” Bennett said.
Crawford wasn’t so sure either.
“I thought he was going to be tackled in the backfield. Their linebacker had a pretty good angle on him,” Crawford said.
Despite some offensive sluggishness in the first half, the Cardinals head coach said he was happy to see his team match up well against the bigger Warriors.
“The good news is that with their physical running game that we did a pretty good job defensively dealing with their big guys upfront and their running game. So that’s a real plus.”
Bishop Diego (1-0) won its fifth straight season opener. The Cardinals travel to Santa Fe Christian for next week’s game. Righetti (0-1) moves on to face Simi Valley.
Bishop Diego defenders John Harris, left, and Matt Shotwell chase down Righetti quarterback Gregory Lewis.
