Cardinal Newman is latest victim of the Cougar football playoff machine, scoring just 14 points to Campolindo’s 56 in Friday’s NCS semi-final matchup.
According to head coach Kevin Macy, he was surprised by the Cougars offensive attack. “I did not expect that we were going to do this tonight [score 56 points]. I thought that we would play good. We had a great week of practice, but I did not think that we would look so explosive,” he said.
Junior wide receiver and defensive back Max Flower believes it was a team effort. “The line blocked really well and provided time for Jack [Stephens] to take a drop and get the ball downfield. Fadelli had a great game, and Adam [Remotto] stepped up big,” he said.
On the first snap of the game, senior running back Nick Fadelli ran for an 80 yard touchdown. With the extra point conversion, the Cougars led 7-0.
After a punt, the offense scored another touchdown to make the score 14-0. Cardinal Newman responded with a touchdown of their own, but Campolindo scored another touchdown on their next possession, and expanded their lead to 21-7.
According to Macy, the early lead was crucial. “Even when we won in 2011, we have always gone 3 and out the first couple of possessions. We have always fallen down 14-0, or even 21-0. So for us to be able to get those early scores, and to stop them, that was a huge lift for our kids,” he said.
Macy’s defense also performed well, as Cardinal Newman was stopped in a 4th a goal situation.
According to Cardinal Newman head coach Paul Cronin, this was a major turning point in the game. “I think early in the game we had to score. We thought that we would have to score 42 points. When we got stopped early on the goal line, things start to get away, and things become more difficult. We had to throw the ball a little more than we would have liked to,” he said.
Campolindo scored 35 unanswered points until the Cardinal Newman scored late in the 4th quarter.
Flower believes that the defensive performance was due to excellent preparation. “That was all due to the scout team and practice,” he said.
The Cougars will host Analy High School on November 28.
