Cardinals have answer for everything

Empire coaches who have played against or seen the Cardinal Newman football juggernaut are in agreement in how to stop the Cardinals: It may be an impossible task.

Newman (11-0) hosts Campolindo of Moraga (10-1) tonight at 7 at Ed Lloyd Field in a North Coast Section Division II semifinal and the way the Cardinals have been running and passing over opponents, many consider it a major upset if they don’t win the next two games and earn a quick nod from the selection committee for the state Division III bowl at Carson on Dec. 20. Newman moved up in the ESPN/CalHiSports state rankings to No. 13.

One would think the Cardinals’ eye-popping team and individual stats are the most impressive components of this year’s squad. That’s until you’ve seen Newman play, with efficiency, poise and plenty of power right up your facemask. Mistakes are at a minimum and execution is darn near flawless.

“They’ve got an answer for everything,” said Santa Rosa coach Russell Ponce. “You never get that extra guy (mismatches) the way they rotate defenders and they all look like clones. I think one of the best compliments you can give them is all their receivers look the same.”

Rancho Cotate lost to Newman on Halloween night, 42-7, the Cougars’ only loss until last week’s 21-17 playoff defeat against Las Lomas.

Rancho coach Ed Conroy echoes the sentiments of most Empire coaches in his description of the Division II field, “Cardinal Newman is way above, and the rest of us are in the same boat.”

Conroy said there’s no mistaking the talent on this Newman team, but it’s the confidence of the players and their trust in teammates that truly impress him.

“Number one they have good players, but they have unbelievable confidence. They believe in each other.”

Some coaches contend this Newman team is at least the equal of, if not better than the 2006 team which took Oaks Christian to overtime before losing the state championship game in 2006.

“I’d put this team right up there with the state team,” said Casa Grande coach Rick O’Brien, who resigned earlier this week. “It all starts with their athleticism on the line. They have the best linemen we’ve seen and a pretty potent offense. Defensively, the line is fundamentally sound and the players always seem to be in the right spot.”

O’Brien’s Gauchos had its season ended by No.-2 seed Clayton Valley, which plays Las Lomas tonight in the other semifinal.

O’Brien said that Clayton Valley, like Newman unbeaten, most resembles the Cardinals among the playoff teams, with a balanced offense and a pressuring defense.

Another frequent topic when discussing Newman are the veteran coaching staff led by defensive cooridinator Dennis Bruno and offensive line coach Lynn Meister, who have been at Newman since Ed Lloyd was the head coach.

“You can tell the team is well-coached,” said Ponce. “The team always uses the same techniques and execution. It’s not a team of stars, it’s more workmanlike.”

One hint that the Newman system is more significant than individual standouts can be traced from the quarterback position. Not to discredit the skills of the players — in fact the Newman QB is nearly always a all-Empire and Player of the Year selection — but Newman in the last three seasons (35-4-1) has had three different quarterbacks.

This year’s quarterback, Randy Wright, completing an unheard of 72 percent of his passes with 29 touchdowns and just two interceptions, was Max Pond’s understudy last year and a starter at defensive back.

“It’s like being the tailback at USC,” Ponce said. “You have to wait in line.”

Ponce is a big backer of Wright.

“He’s tall, strong and poised. Sometimes it looks like he’s taking a nap in the pocket, he’s so comfortable.”

Should Cardinal Newman win this week, next weekend’s Division II championship game will likely be played at Santa Rosa High, a neutral field close to the higher seed and a locale that has applied to host with the NCS.

Joe Ferguson, running back and linebacker, who reinjured his right shoulder last week against Heritage, should play said coach Paul Cronin. Ferguson faces possible labrum surgery following the season.

Services for Cronin’s brother David, who died last week, will be held today.

“My brother was a huge football fan and I know he would want me to focus on the game,” said Cronin. “I’m lucky I have a lot of stuff going on that keeps my mind occupied.”

For more high school sports coverage, read Rich’s blog at http://prepsports.pressdemocrat.com. You can reach Staff Writer Rich Rupprecht at 521-5275 or rich.rupprecht@pressdemocrat.com.