Now in his 24th season as the Bishop Diego football head coach, Tom Crawford has created an expectation of excellence with his program.
The Cardinals have recorded 10 winning seasons in the past 12 years, and advanced to the CIF-SS Division 3 semifinals last season.
This year, however, presents a new challenge for Crawford. He’ll be coaching his youngest team during his time at Bishop Diego, as there are only two seniors on the squad.
“We’ve got talent and potential, we just need to gain experience,” said the veteran coach.
The youthful squad will have to grow up fast, as Crawford and the Cardinals have a gauntlet of a non-league schedule lined up before entering the rugged Marmonte League.
Bishop Diego opens against a big Orange County school, Santa Ana-Foothill, then faces off against three good private-school programs in San Luis Obispo-Mission Prep, St. Pius X-St. Mathias of L.A. and La Jolla-The Bishop’s, all of whom finished in the top two of their respective leagues last season.
There’s also a game at CIF Central Section power Central of Fresno, which rallied in the fourth quarter to beat the Cardinals, 38-34, last year at La Playa Stadium.
On top of the strong non-league games, the Cardinals face more tough tests against their Marmonte rivals: St. Bonaventure, Oaks Christian, Westlake, Calabasas and Simi Valley.
“In putting together a non-league schedule, you’re always thinking of trying to get exposed to different types of schemes and athletes,” Crawford said. “It’s going to be a challenging schedule, but I think it’s a good schedule for us.”
Crawford will be navigating this schedule with a bit of a new-look coaching staff, as former athletic director and defensive coordinator Aaron Skinner left for a head coaching job at Oregon City High School.
John Hazelton, who has been on staff for the Cardinals, will now serve as the defensive coordinator, while new athletic director John Muller will coach the offensive and defensive lines.
Muller previously coached football at St. Bonaventure, where he was also the athletic director for the last 14 years.
“John Muller is a seasoned coach… bringing a wealth of knowledge in regards to offensive and defensive line play,” Crawford said.
The coaching staff will have the task of guiding this young team throughout the year.
Bishop has a marquee player to rely on in senior running back/linebacker Misa Paiau.
Paiau (5-11, 215) was the backup to All-Marmonte League and All-CIF standout Qu’Ran Gossett last season. A powerful, relentless runner, he averaged a whopping 9.9 yards per carry. He gained 779 rushing yards and scored six touchdowns.
On defense, he was one of the team’s leading tacklers as a linebacker. Paiau was also named to the All-Marmonte League First Team.
“[Paiau] is one of the more talented players I’ve seen here,” Crawford said. “He’s instinctive, physical and aggressive. His work ethic is just tremendous; he doesn’t want to skip a beat.”
While Gossett ran for an unfathomable 2,126 yards and 30 touchdowns in 2022, Paiau is looking for a similar season in his senior year.
“I know he carried us last year, so I’m trying to live up to that,” he said.
As one of the team’s two seniors, Paiau is expected to be a leader, something that is “a new thing for [him].”
“Leadership is a hard thing,” he said. “I’m trying to fight and be a good leader for this year.”
Crawford believes that Paiau’s leadership comes from the way he works at his craft.
“He pushes himself really hard, and it really sets a nice model for the young guys,” Crawford said.
Handing the ball off to Paiau and quarterbacking this year’s Cardinal offense will be sophomore Tua’ Rojas (6-1, 170). whose older brother, Kai, went to St. Bonaventure High and is currently playing for Navy.
“He really has developed his arm strength over the offseason,” Crawford said. “He can hurt teams with his feet and he’s really progressed throwing the ball.”
While Rojas, who started a few games at safety last season for the Cardinals, is a dynamic playmaker on the ground who can deliver the ball well, he is also a much-needed leader for this team, according to Crawford.
“[Rojas] is a leader-type that pushes the other guys,” Crawford said. “He’s a competitor, it doesn’t matter what we’re doing, he wants to win.”
Protecting Rojas and leading the way for Paiau will be an offensive line that returns three of its impact starters from a year ago, with senior Tristan Fui (6-3, 280), junior Mays Pese (6-2, 270) and Jesus Vargus (6-2, 270).
“I feel like every year we are a very physical line,” Fui said. “Me and my linemen have been working since January, so I’m really looking forward to this season.”
On the defensive side of the ball, the linebacking corps of Paiau, junior Isaiah Kitt (6-2, 210), and sophomore Jason Lotu (6-0, 210) is experienced and athletic, according to Crawford.
The secondary, meanwhile, is a younger group. Junior Gabe Villa, sophomore John Michael Flint, junior Nick Malesky, sophomore Sam Crawford and junior Danny Ortega should all see playing time at the cornerback and safety positions.
With the youth on this year’s Bishop Diego team, it may take a little time for things to come together. But the squad has plenty of potential to do something special.
“We have juniors and sophomores stepping up, and even some freshmen proving that they can play big-boy ball,” Fui said. “I really think we can do something here.”
Bishop Diego Football Schedule
Saturday, Aug. 19 Foothill (Santa Ana)
Friday, Aug. 25 Mission Prep (San Luis Obispo)
Friday, Sept. 1 @ The Bishop’s (La Jolla)
Friday, Sept. 8 @ Central Fresno
Friday, Sept. 15 St. Pius X-St. Mathias (L.A.)
Friday, Sept. 22 BYE
Friday, Sept. 29 St. Bonaventure#
Friday, Oct. 6 @ Oaks Christian#
Saturday. Oct. 14 Calabasas#
Friday, Oct. 20 @ Westlake#
Thursday, Oct. 26 Simi Valley#
#Marmonte League game
