By Ray Hamill — A difficult week for St. Bernard’s ended on a high note on Saturday afternoon, as the Crusaders cruised to a dominating 46-12 win over Del Norte at Crusader Field.
They scored six first-half TDs to lead by 28 at the break, and after that there was no way back for a disappointing Warriors team.
But the big story of the day was the manner in which the SB players responded to a challenging week, as off-field controversies — including an altercation in the stands at last weekend’s game after some of the players were suspended for two games after an incident on a recent trip to Michigan — stole the headlines.
But instead of allowing the distractions affect their play, the St. Bernard’s players turned in their most impressive performance of the season and dominated a team that has caused them substantial problems in recent years.
“I thought we played really good on offense, on defense and on special teams,” head coach Matt Tomlin said. “And I thought everybody contributed.
“We had a lot of adversity to overcome this week. It’s been a very tough week for our program with a lot of outside noise, and it was really a special performance by the players.”
The same could not be said of the Warriors, who were never in the game and saw any hopes of a win disappear long before halftime.
“I was disappointed with the effort,” Del Norte head coach Nick White said. “We played good against Ferndale (last week) and I was hoping we’d come out with some intensity.
“I give all the credit to St. Bernard’s and coach Tomlin, and now we’ve got to come back and play a McKinleyville team that beat Ferndale.”
Several players stood out for the home team, but a pair of outstanding one-handed touchdown catches by sophomore Cal Figas and senior Garrett Shanahan in particular epitomized the performance by the home team.
They came out strong and never allowed the Warriors get comfortable while scoring touchdowns on six of their first seven possessions.
Cal Figas pulls in a one-handed TD catch during Saturday’s game …
And it could have been even worse for the visitors had the Crusaders capitalized on a 12-play opening drive that stalled at the Del Norte five-yard line.
It was a statement performance and one that suggests the Crusaders are peaking at the right time and more than ready for a deep playoff run no matter what happens in league play on the final weekend of the regular season.
Tomlin praised the maturity of his players for the way they came together and didn’t allow the distractions of the week affect them in a negative way.
“I’m just super proud of the kids,” Tomlin said. “They came together and played as one family.”
Shanahan and fellow senior Josh Tinkham enjoyed outstanding afternoons.
The former had two first-half TD receptions from quarterback Trenten Hagler, one for 17 yards to put the home team up 14-0 late in the first quarter, and a second on a brilliant one-handed catch midway through the second quarter that he took 76 yards to the end zone.
His influence on this year’s team is growing by the week.
“He’s just been a tremendous leader for our team,” Tomlin said of the receiver/safety. “He just had an outstanding all-around game.”
Tinkham, meanwhile, was a nightmare matchup for the visitors in the trenches, and he was so on both sides of the ball
“Josh Tinkham was unbelievable,” Tomlin said. “He just made so many tackles in the backfield, and he was the anchor on our offensive line.”
Figas’ impact for St. Bernard’s has been noticeable all season long and that continued to be the case on Saturday.
He came up with a interception to end Del Norte’s third drive of the day and followed that with a TD reception from Hagler just two plays later, making a one-handed grab and taking it 56 yards to the end zone on as good a TD catch as you’ll see all season long.
Another sophomore, running back Jack Omey, also made his presence felt for St. Bernard’s.
One week after a three-touchdown performance against McKinleyville, Omey ran in for two more TDs against the Warriors, opening the scoring on a four-yard run on the Crusaders’ second drive of the day midway through the first quarter, and adding a 16-yard scoring run late in the first half to put his team up 34-6.
Robert Sirrine added a one-yard TD run shortly before halftime, and Mason Long would close out the scoring on a long TD reception from Braylon Johnson in the second half.
Long also had a first-half interception on defense.
Del Norte had two first-half TDs.
The first on a 10-yard pass from quarterback Trent Cronk to running back Max Borges and the second on a seven-yard pass from Cronk to freshman receiver Elijah Brunson, who is quickly establishing himself as a big-time playmaker for his team.
Check out one of Jack Omey’s TD runs below …
Mason Long’s interception during Saturday’s game …
Cronk, a senior team captain, has also been impressing as the Warriors switch to a more aerial attack this fall.
“I think he’s playing well,” White said of the starting quarterback. “He’s getting better every week with his decision making.”
The Warriors, however, struggled to compete in the trenches and were overwhelmed on both sides of the ball all afternoon.
The win was the second straight for the Crusaders, who improved to 1-1 in the Pacific League and 6-2 overall, and it keeps them in contention for the league title going into the final weekend of league play in two weeks.
The loss for Del Norte was their second straight and fifth of the season, but the Warriors (1-1 and 3-5) can still clinch a share of this year’s league title with a win over Fortuna in two weeks.
Despite the disappointment, the Warriors still have plenty to play for and can become playoff eligible with a win over McKinleyville, a fellow D-6 program, next week, or a victory over Fortuna.
“I think every single week we’re learning and progressing,’ White said. “And learning from our mistakes.”
For video highlights of Saturday’s game, see VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS — St. Bernard’s firing on all cylinders and peaking at the right time …
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