Gonzalez Leads Bishop Past Carp In Little Big Game
For the first time in this rivalry, Bishop Diego has three straight wins over Carpinteria in the Little Big Game. Abel Gonzalez scored two second-half rushing touchdowns to lead the Cardinals to a 24-6 win in front of an estimated seven thousand fans at Santa Barbara City College.
Trailing 6-0 late in the second quarter, Bishop Diego went on an 88-yard scoring drive capped by a 12-yard touchdown pass from Gabe Molina to Thomas Lash. The extra point gave the Cardinals the lead for good. They tacked on a field goal on the final play of the half to lead 10-6 at the break.
Gonzalez broke free on a 34-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to stretch the lead to 17-6.
Carpinteria had two costly turnovers in the fourth quarter. Bishop Diego stopped a drive when Gonzalez recovered a fumble and then John “Cowboy” Samson intercepted a pass. The Cardinals cashed in the second turnover with a 5-yard touchdown run by Gonzalez who was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.
After a scoreless first quarter, Carpinteria scored the game’s first touchdown on a 19-yard touchdown pass from Ian Craddock to Peter Ramos. But that is all the Cardinals would allow as their defense has now given up just a total of 25 points in six games this year.
The game was the Tri-Valley League opener for both teams who were undefeated in the non-league season. The Cardinals are now 6-0 on the year and should remain ranked No.1 in the CIF Northwest Division. Carpinteria, who entered ranked 4th in the same division, fell to 6-1 overall.
