The week after St. Monica’s football team received instruction from two Santa Monica coaching legends and nearly pulled out a victory, the team played poorly in a 33-0 loss to Bellarmine-Jefferson High at Corsair Field on October 17.
“Very disappointing,” said Coach Sean Ritter. “We had an emotional letdown. Our practices didn’t go well and we made a lot of mistakes in the game.
“I felt we’d be competitive with that team, but after they scored right away we didn’t come back. Some players were out of position and our defensive backs didn’t come up to make tackles on runs.”
St. Monica drove inside the five yard line twice in the fourth quarter but was stopped on downs. After the second one, Bell-Jeff had an 80-yard run.
I observed that the visitors had a big advantage in speed, but Ritter dispelled the notion, saying the Mariners’ speed was good enough but the effort wasn’t.
Coaching legends Tebb Kusserow and Norm Lacy continue to lend support. But the practices and development of the game plan weren’t part of their duties for this past week’s preparation.
St. Monica is 0-6 this season and 0-1 in the Santa Fe League. The school’s four-year losing streak has reached 35 games.
Ritter considers the streak a factor in the current losses.
“If something bad happens, it really knocks us down,” he said. “It doesn’t take much to discourage us.”
There are three games remaining on the 2008 schedule. None will be played at Corsair Field, as the Mariners have used up their three home games there.
Hector Sanfiesteban ran for 155 yards and sophomore Sam Holguin gained valuable experience backing up senior Joe Giesregen at quarterback.
Of St. Monica’s three remaining opponents, St. Genevieve is considered the strongest. The teams will play Friday night, October 24.
