CIF STATE BOWL GAME PREVIEW
Division III: Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa) 13-0 vs. St. Bonaventure (Ventura), 13-1
When: Saturday, noon
Where: Home Depot Center, Carson, Calif.
TV: Southern California – FSN Prime Ticket; Northern California – CSN California.
Audio: www.KBCSports.com
FACTS AND STATS
Rankings — Cardinal Newman: State, No. 29 by MaxPreps.com, No. 12 by Cal-Hi Sports; St. Bonaventure: Nation, No. 28 by MaxPreps, No. 27 by ESPN; State, No. 6 by MaxPreps, No. 4 by Cal-Hi Sports.
Notable Alums — Cardinal Newman: Jerry Robinson (former Philadelphia Eagle LB), John Wetteland (former World Series MVP pitcher, New York Yankees). St. Bonaventure: Lorenzo Booker (former Miami Dolphins RB); Darrell Scott (current Colorado Buffalo RB).
Leading Rusher — Cardinal Newman: Jeff Badger (130-1,141-18 TD). St. Bonaventure: Devon Blackledge (131-1,189-17 TD)
Leading Passer — Cardinal Newman: Randy Wright (162-229-2,573-30 TD). St. Bonaventure: Logan Meyer (157-263-2,311-24).
Leading Receiver — Cardinal Newman: Wade Amaral (44-739-14 TD). St. Bonaventure: Isaiah Burton (42--584-7 TD).
Points per game: Cardinal Newman 41.8, St. Bonaventure 37.
Points allowed per game: Cardinal Newman 13, St. Bonaventure 10.9.
Rosters: Cardinal Newman, St. Bonaventure
Team statistics: Cardinal Newman, St. Bonaventure
OTHER GAMES
Friday
Small schools: Hamilton Union (Hamilton City) vs. St. Margaret’s (San Juan Capistrano) 14-0, 4:30 p.m.
Division I: De La Salle (Concord) 12-1 vs. Centennial (Corona) 14-0
Saturday
Division II: St. Mary’s (Stockton) 12-2 vs. Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) 13-0, 4 p.m.
Open Division: Grant (Sacramento) 13-0 vs. Long Beach Poly 14-0, 8 p.m.
MORE INFORAMTION
Tickets: Home Depot Center Box office, Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com; Tickets $15 for adults, $8 for high school student (with valid ASB card), seniors (65+) and children.
Nike Coaches Clinic: Saturday, 9:30-11:30 a.m., Agassi Pavilion. Clinicians are Pete Carroll and Chris Carlisle. More information, click here.
Ancillary events: California State High School Cheerleading and Dance Championships
Wednesday previews: Small schools, Division I.
Thursday previews: Division II, Division III
Friday previews: Open Division, 10 Players to Watch
By Kevin Askeland and Mitch Stephens
MaxPreps.com
Let’s just hope the CIF Division III championship game has more drama than the selection itself.
Most people saw the match-up between bowl-game veterans — defending champion St. Bonaventure (13-1) against 2006 runner-up Cardinal Newman (13-0) — coming months ago.
Each played rigorous schedules and had nearly perfect season, the only blemish between them a narrow 12-7 road loss by St. Bonaventure to Long Beach Poly, ranked between No. 2 and 4 in the nation. It was a game decided in the final minute and a defeat that actually launched the Seraphs, a three-time mythical state champion, into the national rankings.
“Potential is a funny word, but if we didn’t play to it we came awfully, awfully close,” St. Bonaventure coach Todd Therrien said.
The Seraphs edged undefeated Oaks Christian (14-0), which defeated Newman two years ago in the state final, for the Southern California berth despite a 13-1 overall record.
St. Bonaventure also holds wins over traditional powers such as Crespi of Encino, Santa Margarita and Newbury Park. The Seraphs also had an easy time in the section finals, defeating Moorpark 42-7.
In fact, it was something of a walk on the gridiron throughout the season for the Seraphs, who’s closest margin of victory was 17 points. A remarkable feat considering the team graduated a college (baseball) scholarship quarterback, the nation’s top recruited running back (Darrell Scott, now at Colorado), its top receiver and three starting offensive linemen.
“There were some huge question marks but guys worked extremely hard and answered them all,” Therrien said. “There’s not a lot of complaints.”
You won’t hear any from Cardinal Newman’s Paul Cronin either.
There was no debate over whether or not the Cardinals would represent Northern California. Cardinal Newman sought out the top Division 3 teams in the north state, edging Central Catholic and Palma early in the season while also knocking off tough teams from Rancho Cotate and Del Oro.
The Cardinals zipped through the playoffs, posting a 17-7 win of previously undefeated Clayton Valley in the North Coast Section Division II finals.
Cronin’s reputation as one of the state’s top coaches soared from the team’s overtime loss to heavily-favored and nationally ranked Oaks Christian two seasons ago.
The Cardinals were a three touchdown underdog in most people’s eyes, but if not for a procedure call in the final minute of regulation, it likely would have pulled off the major upset.
“This team is probably just a little better,” longtime Santa Rosa Press-Democrat writer and high school sports expert Rich Rupprecht said. “This team is a little faster, a little better on defense and has a few more offensive weapons.”
“I’ve watched four tapes of (Newman) and the kids know what they are doing, they play hard and (Cronin) is an outstanding coach,” Therrien said.
CARDINAL NEWMAN OFFENSE/ST. BONAVENTURE DEFENSE
The Cardinals operate out of the spread formation with quarterback Randy Wright throwing for 2,573 yards on the season. While Cardinal Newman has a number of playmakers at receiver, including Wade Amaral (44 catches, 14 touchdowns) and Casey Miller (43 catches), but the difference maker for the Cardinals is Jeff Badger.
Although built like a linebacker, Badger is capable of breaking off long runs, as he did in a big second half against Central Catholic in the season opener. He’s so vital on defense, his carries are limited, only four times carrying in double digits, yet he still pounded out 1,409 yards (10.8 per carry) and 13 touchdowns.
What gives Newman more versatility than two years ago is a second back in Joe Ferguson (98 carries, 678 yards, 11 touchdowns). The duo are very good at catching the ball, combining for 55 receptions for 965 yards and seven TDs.
The offensive line, led by Jacob Gowan (6-4, 275) and Jonathan Steele (6-0, 215) is disciplined and protects Wright well. The senior quarterback (6-2, 195) has only been hurried into throwing four interceptions this year with 30 touchdowns. He’s a classic drop back quarterback but once he gets moving, Rupprecht said, he’s very effective. Counting sacks he’s rushed for 367 yards and eight touchdowns, two longer than 60 yards.
See this terrific story by Rupprecht on the evolution of Cronin’s offense.
“They do a lot with that spread,” Therrien said. “They’ll challenge our defense.”
The Seraphs, however, will likely outweigh the Cardinals along the line of scrimmage. St. Bonaventure also has one of the nation’s top linebackers/defensive backs in Patrick Hall, a 6-1, 185-pound senior headed to USC next season.
The defense is loaded with speed and that also includes safety Xavier Ramos and cornerbacks Isaiah Burton and J.B. Dock.
“The defense has been lights out all year,” Therrien said. “But we kind of expected that.”
ST. BONAVENTURE OFFENSE/CARDINAL NEWMAN DEFENSE
With All-American Scott shuffling off to be a Buffalo in Colorado, the Seraphs have become more of a passing team this season behind the play of quarterback Logan Meyer.
The junior has thrown for 2,311 yards and 24 touchdowns and has a trio of outstanding receivers in Drew Gibson (29 catches, 530 yards, 7 TDs), Isaiah Burton (42, 584, 7) and Nolan Rodarte (31, 550, 1).
The Seraphs can run the ball as well, with Devon Blackledge and Hall taking turns in the backfield. Blackledge leads the team with 1,189 yards on 131 carries, but Hall has also shown explosiveness with 706 yards on 78 carries and 11 scores. Both backs are averaging over 9.0 yards per carry.
The Cardinals counter with a defense led by Badger and fellow linebacker Joe Ferguson. Ryan Rodriguez and Michael Knott (43 tackles each) have also been stellar while Steele and Kendrick Talamante lead the defensive front.
Badger has been a tackling machine of late.
“This is one of the best defenses I’ve coached here,” Newman assistant Bao Alderson told the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat. “It’s got a lot of speed. Badger in the middle and defensive line is always fresh.”
EXTRA POINTS
Badger, Wright, Steele, and Miller all played in the 2006 bowl game when the Cardinals lost to Oaks Christian 27-20 in overtime … The Cardinals are the fourth team to make a repeat trip to the CIF bowl games. The others are De La Salle, Centennial and Cardinal Newman’s opponent, St. Bonaventure … St. Bonaventure assistant coach and athletic director Mike Gianelli said Monday that the Seraphs and Long Beach Poly have agreed on a two-year contract, playing next season and Ventura and returning to Long Beach in 2010. … Burton (20 yards) and Gipson (70 yards) caught TD passes in last year’s title game, a 35-21 win over Central Catholic (Modesto).
E-mail Mitch Stephens at mstephens@maxpreps.com and Kevin Askeland at kaskeland@maxpreps.com.