Season preview: Bishop Diego ready for tough league schedule after offseason of improvements | Sports

Bishop Diego's 2023 football season was a tale of two halves: They started the season 1-6 before turning it on and winning three games in a row to sneak into the playoffs at 4-6.

The Cardinals accomplished this feat as one of the youngest teams in Tom Crawford's 25-year tenure as coach, with only two experienced players on the roster.

This season, Bishop Diego will compete in the newly formed Marmonte League with almost the same team as last season – a year of experience that will prove valuable.

“We're counting on the guys to pick up where they left off. Fortunately, we finished the season with some Bishop-level games, playoff-level games in terms of win or lose… the guys rose to the challenge,” Crawford said.

“We were very young and I think we have returnees in key positions. Almost everyone in the starting line-up had a lot of playing experience last season, so we are counting on that.”

Bishop Diego gets a chance to showcase the progress made during the offseason against one of the toughest leagues in Southern California.

A hard road lies ahead of us

The Marmonte League was considered one of the toughest in the area for years, but underwent a major overhaul in the offseason.

In addition to the return of strong programs in Simi Valley, St. Bonaventure and Oaks Christian, the league also welcomed former Channel League heavyweights Pacifica and Camarillo.

“I think the league is even tougher now than it was before,” Crawford said. “Pacifica has been a top team for several years and their entry into the league means another physical, tough league game.”

“Camarillo is always well trained and will always provide new challenges… Oaks Christian is ranked in the top 15 in most polls.”

In preparation for the upcoming demanding league schedule, Crawford and Bishop Diego have also created a demanding non-league schedule.

Before facing league opponents, the Cardinals will face top teams Salesian (10-2 in 2023), Notre Dame (5-5 in 2023), Westlake (2-8 in 2023), Northgate (3-7 in 2023) and Etiwanda (7-4 in 2023).

“Our non-league schedule is tough too,” Crawford said. “We try to get inspiration from different non-league schools. The goal is to have the non-league games prepare us for the league.”

An off-season of growth

With the Bishop Diego program only having two seniors last year, the team was forced to rely on several sophomores in key positions against some top programs.

At the quarterback position, Tua Rojas (6-0, 190) was one of those sophomores and had to miss some time due to injury. However, he has worked during the offseason to ensure that won't be the case in his junior year at quarterback.

According to Crawford, his quarterback gained at least 20 pounds of muscle mass during the offseason in preparation for the upcoming season.

“Gaining some weight this year has definitely helped me a lot. Going from 165 to 190 will be a big step to be able to play this year,” Rojas said. “We have a tough league, so you have to be physically prepared.”

Rojas wasn't the only player who hit the weight room for the Cardinals during the offseason. They, too, benefit from a natural increase in size from year to year.

“That's one of the changes from last year's team. We have a lot of guys who have gained weight and muscle compared to last year,” Crawford said.

Crawford believes the Cardinals' passing game will improve with Rojas' added size. He also emphasized that he has matured this year and is more comfortable in the offensive system.

“[Rojas] has always been pretty accurate with his throws, but his throws are quicker now,” Crawford said. “From a coaching perspective, I think the biggest thing is that he seems to understand what we're trying to do on offense and has done so far.”

“I think good things are in store for him this year.”

In his junior season, Rojas has two big targets on the outside lanes: wide receivers Nick Malesky (6'2″, 186 kg) and John Michael Flint (6'2″, 189 kg).

“My chemistry with the receivers is great, Nick is big and can catch,” Rojas said. “John Michael Flint is a fast guy, he's a volleyball player, so if I throw him the ball, he's going to catch it.”

Crawford has observed the developing connection between Rojas and his key targets.

“Nick Malesky was our best receiver last year and made some key catches for us in the final period,” Crawford said. “He and Tua are getting along pretty well throwing the ball and have gained more trust in each other.”

“With John Michael Flint we have another receiver opposite Nick, he has excelled this summer as a safety and receiver.”

Dominate the ground game

In recent years, the Bishop Diego football team has been successful when the running game has been successful.

Last season, the Cardinals planned to rely on senior Misa Paiau to lead that offense, but an injury forced Bishop Diego to turn to sophomore Oscar Mauia (5-11, 220), and he did not disappoint.

Mauia was named to the All-Marmonte League First Team and was the league's second-leading runner, turning heads as the younger players battled through some strong defenses.

He ran for 851 yards and reached the end zone ten times for Bishop Diego.

“We were really pleased with Oscar's performance last year,” Crawford said. “As a 10th grader, Oscar was under a lot of pressure and I think as the season went on, he became more and more confident.”

“He has a running style that is physical, (with) the attitude: 'I'm not going to go down.'”

In addition to Mauia, Gabe Villa (5-8, 175) will serve as a running back for variety, and senior Isaiah Kitt (6-2, 215) may also play fullback for the Cardinals.

An all-league running back is certainly helpful, but the offensive line is just as important to the team's success on the ground.

Bishop Diego has plenty of support there, led by 6-foot-2, 250-pound senior Mays Pese, who has committed to the University of Arizona and is one of the “best players in the league,” according to Crawford.

“Mays wants to win and he makes that very clear,” Crawford said. “Mays is vocal, he brings energy to every practice, he is contagious in the weight room with his hard work.”

The Cardinals have lost only one offensive lineman from last year's team, and the returnees in a large line will include senior JD Vargas (6-2, 275) and Terrence Tasila (6-0, 260).

With most of the roster's players having another year of development, Bishop Diego will look to compete in a strong league and advance deep into the CIF playoffs in 2024.

Bishop Diego Schedule

Friday, August 23 against Salesians, 7 p.m.

Friday, August 30th @ Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks), 7pm

Friday, Sept. 6 @ Westlake, 7 p.m.

Saturday, September 14 against Northgate, 1pm

Friday, Sept. 20 @ Etiwanda, 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 4 @ Camarillo*, 7 p.m.

Friday, October 11 against Oaks Christian*, 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 18 @ Simi Valley*, 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 25 against St. Bonaventure*, 7 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 1 @ Pacifica*, 7 p.m.

* – Marmonte league match