Saints SceneNovember 2009 Vol 29 no. 3

NON-PROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDSAN DIEGO, CAPERMIT NO. 663

YOUR MONTHLY REPORT ON THE ST. AUGUSTINE HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE

St. Augustine High School 3266 Nutmeg Street

San Diego, CA 92104-5199619-282-2184

www.sahs.org

Dear Parents and FriendsStop, Look, and Listen

Robert Frost’s famous poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” speaks about being out on the darkest of eve-

nings and taking time to stop and watch the mystery and beauty of snowfall. I recall, as if it were a recent event, the lecture I received from Mr. Cross my American Literature instructor that gratitude was one of the many themes of this great poem.

Robert Frost offers us an example of what we should do in this season of Thanksgiving, namely, stop, look, and listen. This discipline offers us hope in the quietness of things, and gives us an opportunity to see the truth of all that we have. And if we listen to the message, we can often find in our reflection a sense of gratefulness. Metaphorically our world is experiencing a dark time, with a fal-tering economy, a society with collapsing character, and the outbreak of a pandemic flu just for starters. But not all is hopeless. We can stop and reflect on what it is we do have, connecting with a spirit of gratitude. And gratitude can unlock the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns problems into gifts and the unexpected into perfect timing. This Thanksgiving take time with the family to stop, look and listen. Happy Thanksgiving!

Yours in the Spirit of Catholic Education,

James HornePrincipal

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Principal James Horne

Continued on page 2.

Quality of Our Sons’

SaintsExperienceBegins with

Parents Participation

by John MarinPresident, Austin Parents Association

As we settle down into the routine of the new school year, we look back at the fast pace and preparation in

August and September with a sigh of relief. For freshman parents, those first few weeks are filed with many questions and the hope that their son will fit into Saints, make new friends and keep up with the school work. For all those other parents, we know that your freshman sons were already committed to the Saints Experience once they had their first visit to the campus. By the time school started, it was only the parents who were anxious and worried about the future, not their sons. It is our sons who ultimately make the choice to be Saintsmen. They may have been inspired by a football game or it may have been through an alumni dad or uncle. That decision, however, begins in a very practical way. In October they visit the campus with their 8th grade class, they tour the campus at the November Open House with their parents and they take the entrance exam in Saints’ classrooms in January. They have a welcome dinner on campus in March, they attend sum-mer conditioning and they join an athletic team. Those initial questions and concerns of our freshman parents and their sons are an-swered at the Freshman Orientation in August and then we celebrate the start of the school year with the Spirit BBQ in September. Freshmen are so important in our rich Saints’ tradition that they get their own week! They receive their visible mark of distinc-tion, a beanie, and their Senior buddy trains them in the fine art of following orders! They experience the spirit of the weekly Wednes-day School Mass and in October, they grow

Lunch with Fr. Bob – Senior Willie Fleming, a Saints Players cast member, who will be ap-pearing in the upcoming musical “Little Shop of Horrors” introduces Saints Chaplain Fr. Bob Gavotto, OSA (’55) to Audrey, the plant. Audrey, who has a taste for religious scholarship, devoured all Fr. Bob had to say during a recent “sneak preview” performance at the Eighth Grade Visitation Day. See article below.

A Fine Evening of Drama and Music

Horrors ofHigh School, The Musical

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November 2009 Calendar Highlights The following are important days, times and events for the Class of 2013. Welcome!

Event Name Date Time/placeOpen House Nov 1 1pm-4pm on campusVeterans Day Nov 11 School ClosedDrama Production of LittleShop of Horrors Nov 19-22 Coronado High School TheaterChristmas Social Nov 21 SeaWorld’s Nautilus PavilionThanksgiving Nov 26 School ClosedProfessional Growth Day Nov 30 School ClosedToyland Parade Dec 5 11 am 30th & University A complete updated calendar is always available online at the top of the home page at sahs.org

AThanksgiving

BlessingPrayer was written by former Saints

Principal Fr. John Sanders, OSA.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the nourishment that you give us. You uplift us with your grace and

you fill us with your hope. You console us in dark times and bring us joy in ap-preciation of the simple. You humble us when we are proud and exalt us when our esteem is low. Bless the food we are about to eat and keep us mindful of the hungry, the desperate, and those who seek justice. Direct our hearts to what we truly need to be sustained in you. Amen.

St. Augustine High School Fine Arts Department invites all parents, stu-dents, family members, alumni and

the local community to start their holiday season by supporting the Saints Players as they perform Little Shop of Horrors, in the Coronado High School Theater, November 19 & 20 at 7 pm, and Novem-ber 21 & 22 at 1 pm. With tickets only

$10, this is a great way to enjoy time as a family. Tickets are available on-line for a small processing fee at showboxoffice.com, in the school merchandise store on Mondays or at the door before each performance. For more information log onto sahs.org.

Tutoring Schedule Available

Twitter.comAre you looking for up to date info on meet-ings, announcements, activities, breaking

news and game times, locations and results. Do you wish you had a reminder for all these

events?

Follow Saints on Twitterhttp://www.twitter.com/saints_info

You can set up an account to have news sent directly to your e-mail or sent as a text to your phone, or you can

simply link to the Twitter feed by clicking on the twitter icon at the lower left on the Saints home page

On this page is the tutoring schedule for the Saints Scene. All of our families should know that this is another service we offer for which

there is never an additional charge since all of our teach-ers are required to be available for any student. Also, most of our teachers can be reached by voice mail or e-mail if parents/guardians have any additional ques-tions about their student’s progress; but we encourage families to utilize Saints on the Web (SOTW) which will keep them updated on the progress of their student with respect to grades and assignments—Mr. Tom Cudal, As-sistant Principal/Academics.

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Saint’s Players Present:

Performing at the CORONADO SCHOOL OF THE ARTS 630 D Ave., Coronado THURS. & FRI. NOV.19TH & 20TH CURTAIN 7p.m. SAT. & SUN. NOV. 21ST & 22ND MATINEE 1p.m.

$10.00 per ticket (processing fee for online sales)

TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT SHOWBOXOFFICE.COM ;THE SAINTS MERCHANDISE STORE on the SAINTS CAMPUS

ORAT THE DOOR BEFORE EACH PERFORMANCE

For more information, log onto SAHS.ORG

Visit the St. Augustine High School College and Guidance Counseling

website often to:• Contact your sons Guidance Counselor• Find out SAT & ACT test dates for 2009-2010• View Freshman thru Senior check lists on preparing for college• Research Financial Aid & Scholarships• Links exploring colleges across the country

Special note: Parents interested in hosting a three week internship for a Saints senior, please contact Dr. Rey at jrey@sahs.org.

College Corner

One of the many wonderful Fall traditions at the school is the annual Family Mass held on the lawn of Vasey Hall. Presiding this year were Fr. Bob Gavotto, OSA, (’55) and Fr. Alvin Paligutan, OSA.

Mass on the Grass

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spiritually as a class in their weekend retreat together. It’s not too hard to understand how your freshman sons are well on their way to becoming young men instilled with the Augustinian values of Truth, Love & Commu-nity. Parents of upper classmen also know that it is the community of Saints parents who help make this posi-tive transformation of our sons possible. They were indebted to the welcoming efforts and support of their upper class parents. They chose to return that love to the Saints community by sharing their time, talents and treasures through the Austin Parent Association. The APA is responsible for the planning and organization of many of these important events in your freshman son’s early formation at Saints. The APA, with the support of the administration and our Augustinians, takes great pride in maintaining and keeping these traditions alive. But, it is still early in the school year and the APA continues to need your help for its future events planned for 2009-2010. The com-munity of Saints’ parents, past, present and future, ask that you keep your commitment of Family Involvement hours, through the APA, ensuring the growth and forma-tion of our sons, freshman and upper classmen alike.

Saints Experience Continued from page 1

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The St. Augustine High School Band pro-gram is in full swing providing spirited music at Varsity football games, but in

November, you will also catch them at the follow-ing school and community events:• Performing the music for Saints Players pro-duction of “Little Shop of Horrors” Nov 19-22 at Coronado High School• The 32nd Street Jazz band will play at the Saints Christmas Social at SeaWorld on Novem-ber 21st.

CIF Recognizes Top Swim Coach

Saints coach Kevin Manley has been named 2008-09 CIF San Diego

Section Coach of the Year for his leadership guiding both the Swimming and Diving teams at St. Augustine High and at the Academy of Our Lady of Peace. The CIF chooses top coaches of the year based on adherence to the principles

of competition, integrity, and fairness (CIF). “Quite an accomplishment for Coach Manley, I’m not quite sure if double Coach of the Year honors ever have been bestowed by the CIF to the same individual in the year,” says Saints Principal Mr. James Horne.

From the Band Room

• The entire 80 piece Marching Band heads to Anaheim over Thanksgiving for a 4 day perfor-mance surrounding events at Disneyland and The 76 Classic National College Basketball Tournament, airing on ESPN. Students interested in joining Saints music program, should contact Mr. Brandon Jagow in the band room.

Saintsmen Named NationalHispanic Scholars

Commended Scholars

Spotlighted

Seven seniors have been named outstanding schol-ars by the 2009-2010 National Hispanic Recogni-tion Program. The NHRP was initiated in 1953 to

identify top Hispanic/Latino high school students. Stu-dents recognized by the program must be at least one-quarter Hispanic/Latino to qualify. Nearly 5,000 His-panic Recognition Scholars were named top scholars out of more than 200,000 taking the 2008 PSAT.

Principal James Horne has announced eight seniors have been named Commended Students in the 2010 National Merit Scholarship program. About

34,000 Commended Students are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise, said Mr. Horne. That means the Saintsmen listed below placed in the top five percent of more than 1.5 million taking the 2008 PSAT qualifying test.

Nicholas Klotz Abraham Gallegos

Daniel Longstreth Bryce Persichetti

Ezekiel Oliwa

Jose Acosta

Ryan Suarez

Ian Humphrey Bryce Persichetti

Christopher Curtis Ezekiel Oliwa

Jose Acosta Samuel Howeth

Peter Martin Scott Briggs

Around the Patio

Around the Patio

A big THANK YOU to all the alumni who stepped up to the plate to help with my request for student aid this summer. Thanks to you we raised close to $32,000 to help out families facing critical finan-cial situations.

Once again, you all rallied together as a community and I am truly impressed and appreciative.

Edwin Hearn, PresidentSt. Augustine High School

You’re invited to the

Saints Tailgate BBQ

Saints vs. Patrick Henry – Senior Night

Friday November 13, 2009Dinner served 5:00pm to 7pm, Game at 7:00pm

Mesa College Parking Lot

Delicious BBQ Beef, BBQ Chicken,Baked Beans, Potato Salad, Coleslaw, Rolls,

Butter & Soft Drink (water, iced tea and lemonade)

$12 per person

Desserts available for purchasefrom Saints Cheerleaders

Get Social with the Austin Parent’s AssociationBring your family & friends... lawn chairs and blankets too!

Show your spirit & wear Purple & Gold

For more information please call:Fiona Theseira (858)344-2213 or Maggie Mudd (619)850-1031

Fiona@sddreamhome.com or JandMRealty@yahoo.com

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OvernightRetreat Bonds

Frosh withSchool

The Eighth annual Freshman overnight retreat was a smashing success this year. It was held on our Saints campus with the help of more than 200

volunteers. Frosh parents largely represented the par-ticipants over the two days of the event. Not only was the retreat a “class builder” for the boys, but for the new parents as well. They were fully immersed in a “Saint’s Experience” of their own. They enjoyed meeting and working with each other, all making new friends while marveling at these boys’ endless energy (and appetites). The retreat weekend is a chance for Freshmen to get to know one another, meet and befriend upperclassmen, give back to the community, and learn more about the famous Saints Experience. The Class of 2013 experi-enced various team building activities and reflections, led by a huge group of Senior and Junior Big Brothers, throughout the weekend. The retreat was a mix of fun and prayer, activity and reflection and seemed to be enjoyed by all (except maybe the parents who supervised the Freshman Class overnight in the gym).

THANK YOU, AGAINSAINTS ALUMS

One and Done—Freshman enjoy watching the “epic” dodge-ball game and cheer the Freshman team on to win the second game of a best of three series..

Classy Effort—Junior and Senior Big Brothers helped to facilitate the Freshman retreat and make it a big success.

Frosh Squash—The “epic” dodgeball game during the Frosh retreat pitted the Big Bothers vs. a group of Freshman. The Big Brother won the best of three tournament.

Focus Groups—Freshman students all got the opportunity to take photos with their small groups at the bell tower.

Around the Patio

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Double EaglesSaints Seniors take different paths to achieve success

The school is pleased to report ongoing good news about students, who make significant achievements outside of class and in the community. For example, the Eagle Scout program, the highest rank a Boy Scout can achieve has been populated over the years by a great number of Saintsmen. Two

more recent Eagle Scout honorees are Saints Seniors Chris and Kyle Madaffer (’10). The school’s newest Eagles joined scouting as a Webelos scout with Troop 959 in San Carlos then later transferred to Troop 53, where they discovered that many of the Scouts in the troop were classmates at St. Augustine.

Kyle Madaffer—Along the trail to Eagle, Kyle’s enthusiasm and perseverance rewarded him with 39 merit badges. On May, 2009, he completed his Eagle project with the help of 51 volun-teers. Trail erosion has become a serious problem on the Cowles Mountain Trail. He coordinated donations, procured heavy and light equipment, and led a team of youth and adult volunteers to build and install 448 feet of Peeler log fencing near the summit of Cowles Mountain in Mission Trails Regional Park in San Diego, CA. Peeler log fencing will help to protect the environment by keeping hikers on the designated trail and off vegetation. Assisting Kyle with his Eagle Scout project were current Saintsmen and alums Peter Erbes (’12), Jacob Fulton (’12), Sam Howeth (’10), Brendan Kellams (’07), Joseph Kosen (’13), Mi-chael Lindgren (’13), Chris Madaffer (’10), Kenny McClenahan (’12), Nick Morrell (’12), Ryan Morrell (’10), Eddie Moser (’09), Jacob Mudd (’09), Kyle Pocock (’10), and Evan Suda (’13).Chris and Kyle are the sons of James and Sally Madaffer of San Carlos.

Chris Madaffer—Among the many requirements on the path to Ea-gle Scout, Chris earned 41 merit badges. In June, 2009, Chris com-pleted his Eagle project with the help of many Saintsmen by install-ing drought tolerant plants and a new irrigation system in front of the Sheriff’s station at the Imperial Beach Civic Center. The theme of the project is for the City to set the example in reducing water costs, so Chris’ Eagle Scout project is helping them accomplish their goal. Assisting Chris with his Eagle Scout project were current Saintsmen and alums Peter Erbes (’10), Jacob Fulton (’12), Sam Howeth (’10), Brendan Kellams (’07), Kyle Madaffer (’10), Ryan Morrell (’10), Eddie Moser (’09) and Kyle Pocock (’10).

8th Graders Catch A Glimpse

of SaintsExperience

Each fall the school welcomes scores of current eighth grade boys (plus teachers and parents) as these future Frosh visit the campus. The popular

event includes a campus tour, free food and an assembly in the gym showcasing the talent of current Saintsmen.

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Talent Show—Visiting 8th graders were treated to an assembly highlighting the talent of Saintsmen and, in this case, OLP castmembers performing a sneak pre-view of the fall musical “Little Shop of Horrors.” Clay-ton Van Aken (’10), a world class all-around rodeo per-former displayed his calf roping technique.

While on a family tour of potential col-leges to attend after graduating from Saints, Jonpaul Rios (’11) with mom

and dad recently visited Mr. and Mrs. Harrison and Payne Tyler in Charles City, Virginia. Harrison is the grandson of the tenth President of the United States, John Tyler. The Rios’ were given a personal tour of the Historical residence of President Tyler called “Sherwood Forest Plantation.” Sherwood Forest is now a museum run by the couple. The Tyler’s discussed family history including the fact John Tyler became the first Vice President to be elevated to the Presidency after President William Henry Harrison died in office. Mrs. Tyler and Jonpaul (pictured) discussed attending College of William & Mary in Virginia where to date 354 descendents of John Tyler have attended this academic institution, including Presi-dent Thomas Jefferson.

Where Are They NowSaintsmen Visits Presidential Home

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Augustinian HeritageAugustine: A student,

a teacher, a parent

Part Three:Augustine’s own reflections on being a student

By Fr. Bob Gavotto, O.S.A., (’55)Saints Chaplain

[Editor’s Note: These ex-cerpts are from Education, An Augustinian Approach, pages 8 and 16.]

A student is one who is:Restless, Striving, Searching

You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you. (Confes-sions, 1,1,1) When truth is eagerly sought, finding it produces greater enjoyment. Found, it is sought again with renewed desire. (The Trinity, 15,2,2,) We are pilgrims, people on the road, not resi-dents. We should therefore feel unsatisfied with what we are, if we want to arrive at that to which we aspire. If we are totally happy with what we are, we will stop going forward. If we think we have gone far enough, we will not take another step. Let us

Alumni NotesOrphanage AssistanceSaints Alums Ron Cota (’62), Tom Delaney (’62) an Bruce Mullen (‘60) are named Co-Alumnus of the Year in recognition for their remarkable support over the past several years for the Augustinian administered orphanage near Tijuana, the Hogar Infantil La Gloria. Leo Sullivan (’63) would have been the fourth Co-Alumnus for his leadership in providing assistance to the orphanage, but as a former Alumnus of the Year he was not eligible in 2009. Deepest thanks and congratulations! Saints community members interested in assisting the work at the orphanage are encouraged to contact Saints Alumni Dirctor Steve Chipp (’67) at the school or schipp@sahs.org.

Hall of FamersCarlos Carriedo (’65), Sean Barrett (’03) and Fr. Patrick Keane, OSA, (’44) have been inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame for 2009. Carriedo was a standout tennis star; Barrett was a three sport letterman (track, cross country and baseball). Fr. Keane was the first Principal to graduate from the school. His meritorious tenure set the standard for sports and academics between 1962 and 1975.

County Teacher of YearTom Waldron (’71) is one of five San Diego County Teachers of the Year for 2009. He has taught English for 32 years. He is currently teaching at Valhalla High School.

Alumni GolfMay 14, 2010 is the date for the next Saints Alumni Golf Classic to be held at the Cottonwood Country Club. More info: Ed Querin (’85) at 619/287-5230 or edquerin@sbcglobal.net

Fr. Bob Gavotto OSA (’55)

continue, therefore, going forward, walking towards the goal. Let us not stop half way along the route, or look backwards or stray from the path. Someone who stops does not make progress. Someone who strays loses hope of arriving. (Sermon 169, 18) It is better to be a cripple on the right road than a great runner off it. (Sermon 169, 18) One loses nothing by questioning more carefully. (Music, 6,23)

Reflective, Able to Look Within People are moved to marvel at the peaks of the moun-tains, the gigantic waves of the sea, crashing waterfalls, the vast stretches of the oceans and the dance of the stars, while they forget themselves. (Confessions, 10,8,15) How much wealth is stored within each one of us! But what use is this wealth to us, if we do not investigate it? (Commentary on the Psalms, 77, 8) Human beings change, worsen and become poor when, rushing to conquer so many things outside them-selves, they live so much on the surface that they throw aside their own inner life. (Letter 55,9)

Open to Others, Rejecting Arrogance Accept yourself as human. That is humility. (Treatise on Saint John’s Gospel, 25,16) The first step in the search for truth is humility. The second, humility. The third, humility. And the last one, humility. Naturally, that doesn’t mean that humility is the only virtue necessary for the discovery and enjoy-ment of truth. But if the other virtues aren’t preceded, accompanied and followed by humility, pride will find an opening and infiltrate them and, sooner or later, finish up destroying good intentions. All other vices are recognized

when we are doing wrong; but pride is to be feared even when we do right. Test those things which are done in a praiseworthy manner lest they be spoiled by the desire for praise itself. (Letter 118,3,22) If you are a stubborn person, be careful. A swollen heard unbalances the whole body. Beware of becoming top-heavy and toppling over a cliff. (Sermon 266,8) Walk the path of humility, if you want to arrive at eternity. Christ, as human, is the path we are following. Christ, as God, is the destination towards which we are travelling. It is to him we are going. It is by him we are going. (Sermon 123,3,3) No one says to you, ‘Be less than you are,’ but rather, ‘Recognize what you are.’ Recognize yourself as weak, as a human being, as a sinner. When you accept and admit your shortcomings, you are on the way to healing. (Sermon 137,4,4,)

Seeks to Act Freely and Responsibly No one is doing right who acts unwillingly, even if what he does is good in itself. (Confessions, 1,12,19) I can only truly accomplish what I wish, when I cease to wish for that which I am not able to accomplish. (Let-ter 10,1) Being faithful in minor things is a major undertaking. (Christian Teaching, 4,18)

Next time, more of Augustine’s reflections, in his own words, about being a student and thus really about being human.

St. Augustine, pray for us!

Honored—Fr. Patrick Keane OSA (’44) is shown thank-ing students, faculty, staff and community for his recent induction to the Saints Sports Hall of Fame.

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Christmas on 33rd

Annual Saints Wear Holiday Sale

December 4 and 1111 am to 2 pm

Paul Rudy, the creator of the wildly popular Friday Night sports scores show on KUSI-TV brought his crew—led by cameraman Mike

Saucedo and on air reporter John Soderman--to campus to broadcast a recent Saints Pep Rally. Each week, Rudy or one of his Prep Pigskin Report staffers act as “offensive coordinators” by traveling to city/county high schools to highlight pep rallies across the county. Called the Sonic Pep Rally, the KUSI TV in-terviewed just about everyone in the Saints gym who came into camera view. One of the running schticks of the rally coverage is to whip the student body into a noise frenzy to set a new Sonic (burgers) Pep Rally decibel record.As a result of the visit, Saints set a new record: a booming 125.2 on the Sonic meter.The Pep Rally is an offshoot of the weekly PPR that airs every Friday night at 10:30 am. KUSI crews are all over the county shooting game video and report-ing final scores. Ratings are huge for the homemade show and it’s all due to Paul Rudy’s infectious sense of humor and an uncanny abililty to juggle his crews to cover just about every high school football game played. Everything is done in good fun. He’s been doing the show for 11 seasons now and its popularity continues to soar and make a lot of noise in local TVs ratings wars.

Regular Hours:Located near the intersection of Nutmeg and 33rd, the shop is open every Mon-day (excluding holidays) from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm

Extra Hours:The shop will be open after school on Friday, November 6 for pre Saints/Ca-thedral game shoppers.

Info: Mrs. Debbie Torgeson–torgeson3@cox.net.

Popular Prep Pigskin Report TV Crew Covers Saints Pep Rally

Turkey Trot—The school’s traditional Turkey Trot run around the school and into the streets of North Park will be November 24 at 11 am. In the past al-ums have been known to jump into the race—unan-nounced. Winner takes home a frozen turkey! No school track or cross country team members are eli-gible for the prize but may compete.

Neighborhood Parade—There is no memory of the St. Augustine school band not marching in the annual North Park Toyland Parade. Re-cently former staff members of North Park News were at a loss to know how many years the band has per-formed in the popular holiday pa-rade. It’s a mystery. But no mystery is the Dec 5 date for the 40th annual parade which begins 11 am at 30th & University. Don’t be late because the band often leads the parade.

Photo: North Park News archives, 1958 near University and Arizona Sts.

Publisher: Edwin J. Hearn, Jr. Saints President Editor-in-Chief: James Horne Saints Principal Senior Editor: Steve Chipp (’68), Alumni DirectorManaging Editor: Thomas Shess, Alum Parent (’05)Thomas.Shess@gmail.comArt Director: Carol SherwoodChief Photographer: Ernie Torgeson, Alum Parent (’08)

Circulation Director: Casey Callery, Associate Director of AdvancementAustin Parents Assn. Editor: Annette FlemingEditor Emeritus: John D. Keller O.S.A. (’55)Correction PolicyWhile every effort is made to be accurate, we occasionally err. We do apolo-gize to those impacted and kindly ask that you notify the Managing Editor so we may choose to publish corrections or amplifications in future issues.

Saints Scene Your monthly reporton the St. Augustine

High School Experience

St. Augustine principal, Fr. John Aherne, O.S.A., had masterfully convinced the public schools system to allow Saints to play in the tough

Eastern League, but in seven tries, Saints had not beaten the legendary prep football power, San Diego High, never even scoring more than a touchdown and had been shutout three times. In the ’58 game, the Cavers had drubbed Saints 51-0. Now, the little school on Nutmeg Street was preparing again to attempt the impossible – beat the Cavers. The men that played for the “Old Gray Castle” were proud of their legacy and their record against Saints which began in 1927 with a 12-0 victory. Caver coach, Duane Maley, challenged opponents with speed and a big play offense. With the likes H.D. Murphy, Richard McClendon, Eddie Frost, John Hutchison and Emile Wright, the Cavers were explosive and capable of the “big play” from anywhere on the field. After the 51-0 loss to the Cavers in ‘58, Saints finished the season with three straight victories. With a 5-0 record for the ‘59 season, the unbeaten streak was at eight, a school record. Coach Tom Carter’s Saints squad was built around the tough line of Mike Strogi-nis, Sal Morceri, a pair of 200-pound tackles, Mickey Frank, a 268-pound center and Joe Mullen, a scrappy 160- pound guard. By game three, the pundits were wondering whether this was the hardest hitting line in the county. George Clause was the only player on the Saints team that could match the speed of the Cavers. The Saints seniors were well seasoned and even to this day, many Saints alums remember the’59 team as perhaps the greatest in the school’s history. While the Saints were breezing through their schedule, the Cavers had a 2- 2 record, both losses coming at the hands of two LA County schools, highly

Written in Retrospective by Ed Hearn

Bledsoe and Gilham put on the brakes against San Diego

regarded Long Beach Poly and Long Beach Wilson. With one of the toughest schedules in the southland, the Cavers were formidable and certainly not intimidated by an unbeaten Saints team. Both loses had been close and came early in the season. While some questioned San Diego High School’s tough schedule, Caver Coach Duane Maley stated publicly that the schedule would only ready his troops for the tough Eastern League. Coach Tom Carter quietly readied his charges. In the week before the game, he was quoted in the Evening Tribune saying, “The Cavers are just another team. We will be up for San Diego, but we are trying not to get over anxious. I think the boys have the right attitude about the game. If we can just keep from making mistakes and contain the Cavers’ speed, we’ll be in the ball game.” Paul Cour, a beat writer for the Evening Tribune wrote, “Carter has to guard against a possible defeatist complex.” San Diego was coming off a 32-0 pounding of the Lincoln Hornets. After the game, Lincoln’s coach, Shan Deniston, quipped, “The Cavers are as good as they’ve been in several years. You do not make mistakes against them. They will go a long way. If they played Long Beach Poly, the defending southern California Playoff champion,

again, they’d win.” In an Evening Tribune interview later in the week, Fr. John Aherne, the principal, and certainly Saints most rabid fan was quoted, “This year the Saints have their best chance to beat the Cavers. I’m not going to predict the outcome, but I think our chances are better this time.” With back-to-back wins over good opponents, the Cavers had new life. Cour, commented, “They’re still the kings of city prep football, until the Saints, or somebody else, proves otherwise.” The upcoming game being played two days before All-Saints Day and the Halloween theme complete with a hex on the Saints was the storyline being played up by the press. On game night, the crowd at Balboa Stadium was estimated to range between 7,000 to 7,500 spectators by kickoff. San Diego won the coin flip. Electing to receive the opening kickoff, they returned it to the Saints 45 yard line. The Saints lined up in an eight-man front with the defensive end wide to the open side of the fi eld to turn the vaunted Caver sweep inside. While the big play was elimi-nated, San Diego scored on their initial drive in 11 plays. Taking advantage of the eightman front, the Cavers threw and ran the ball for short gains. Saints answered the score on its first possession. The unanswered pre-game question was who would be the Saints quarterback. Coach Carter could start junior Oliver Walker, or seniors Mike Burns and Dennis Shields. Coach Carter opted for the junior who had the strongest arm. In the fi rst series, Walker found Tony Gilham behind the Caver secondary, hitting him with a 55-yard bomb. He fol-lowed up with a beautifully set up screenplay and then a five-yard run by Carlton Bledsoe to end the fi rst quarter at 6-6. The Cavers came right back with a mix of passes and short runs, scoring on a 13- play drive. The extra point

Braced to try to stop that vaunted San Diego speed will be a strong St. Augustine line bulwarked by tackles Sal Mo-ceri, left, and Mike Stroginis. The Cavers and undefeated Saints will square off against each other in Balboa Stadium tonight with kickoff slated for 8 o’clock

failed. During the drive, Caver quarterback, Steve Simon was charged with unnecessary roughness and ejected from the game for attempting to hurdle Saints defender, Paul Nacozy. Simon was 8 for 9 passing and consistently beating the eight-man Saints front. Following the Caver kickoff, the Saints speedster George Clause came into the line-up at flanker. A leading rusher in the conference over the fi rst fi ve games, Clause hurt his ankle in the Coronado game the week before the showdown with the Cavers, but Coach Carter had assured the press that he would probably play in the San Diego game. As it turned out, Clause would play only four downs against the Cavers and former lineman, Carlton Bledsoe, got the nod to start at running back. When the huddle broke, Clause moved to wide out. The Cavers appeared distracted and disorganized as the Saints offense approached the line of scrimmage. Using a quick count, the Saints ran a prefect trap play with Bledsoe scoring on a 45-yard run to tie the game once again. Raul Martinez’s PAT was low and off the mark, keeping the game tied as the fi rst half ended. Both teams struggle offensively in the second half. Saints managed to penetrate to the Caver’s 22-yard line,

but the drive stalled. With 1:44 left in the game, the Cavers reached the Saints’ 31-yard line only to have Gilham intercept an errant Caver pass. The game ended 12-12. Coach Carter’s pre-game words were prophetic. He instructed his charges that “Great teams have things go wrong, but come back.” In each case, Saints answered a Caver touchdown with one of their own. Additionally, the longest run from the line of scrimmage had been 16 yards. His defensive game plan had forced the Cavers to pass and try short straight-ahead runs. While the Cavers amassed 13 first downs to 6 for Saints, they could not come up with the big play. The “rock-ribbed” play of the Saints’ line was an overwhelming factor in the game. Given that the starting center, 268 pound Mickey Frank, broke his wrist during practice the week before the game, the Saints line play rose to the occasion, challenging one of the great offensive teams in the county. After the game, Coach Carter beamed, “The kids got themselves up for this one and they deserve this.” Coach Maley was beside

himself with the Cavers’ poor play. In the Saturday edition of the Evening Tribune Paul Cour wrote, “From a spectator perspective, the Eastern League game was a thriller.” By season’s end, the 1959 Saints football team had extended their unbeaten streak to 12 games. Although they beat Lincoln and finished the year unbeaten, they did not win the league championship as they tied Hoover High School 7-7. The Cavers went on to win the rest of their league games. The 1959 clash between the Cavers and Saints changed the way Saints viewed itself and gave purpose to Fr. Aherne’s vision that St. Augustine High School could play on even terms in a public school league. Saints had taken on one of the best programs in Southern California and had played to a tie. The outcome of the game, while not a win, was a turning point for Saints, creating new possibili-ties and changing the landscape of San Diego prep football. Since that battle 50 years ago, the Saints and the Cavers have faced each other on the gridiron 30 times. There has been just one tie since the ’59 game and Saints has been the victor in 20 of those contests.

Bledsoe goes by Richard McClendon Saints’ gang tackle H.D. Murphy of San Diego

GAME OF THE CENTURYAthletic Program Comes of Age