Santa Barbara, Calif. – Bishop Diego High School’s football program is gearing up for a physically demanding 2026 season, with head coach Tom Crawford emphasizing the importance of a strong line of scrimmage. “We feel our strength is probably in the trenches,” Crawford, entering his 27th year at the helm, told KEYT.
The Cardinals boast size and experience on both sides of the ball. Senior offensive tackle Terrence Tasila, a 6‑foot‑1, 270‑pound senior, summed up the team’s mindset: “I love getting physical.” Complementing him on the defensive front is senior defensive lineman Donovan Tupa’i, who measures 6‑foot‑3 and 360 pounds.
Running back Sam Boeddeker, a junior who already has a scholarship offer from Cal Poly, will also feature prominently in the backfield. Boeddeker praised his Samoan teammates, saying, “All of those Samoan guys out there giving it their all every play, you know it’s definitely a blessing to run behind them.” Crawford added, “He had a great sophomore season, but I’m expecting even more this year.”
While the Cardinals intend to “ground and pound” opponents, they will not be one‑dimensional. Sophomore quarterback Kaleo Satele, weighing over 200 pounds, leads a passing attack that has shown steady improvement. Crawford noted, “He has developed and continued to develop a lot over the course of the summer and has been particularly good here this past month, so we are gaining a lot of confidence in him.”
Despite losing several skilled players to graduation, Bishop Diego’s depth remains solid. Seniors Remi Boykin (wide receiver/defensive back), Nate Hernandez (running back/defensive back) and Jeremiah Mercier (tight end/defensive line/linebacker) are expected to step up and make significant contributions.
The Cardinals open the season on the road on Friday, August 21, when they travel to face Paso Robles. Their first home game follows a week later, on Friday, August 28, against West Ranch at Santa Barbara City College.
League outlook
Bishop Diego competes in the Marmonte League, a rugged conference that includes state powerhouse Pacifica of Oxnard. The league’s physical style of play aligns with the Cardinals’ emphasis on line strength, setting the stage for a competitive season.
Coach Crawford remains confident that the blend of seasoned seniors and developing underclassmen will allow Bishop Diego to contend with the league’s toughest opponents. “We’re focused on fundamentals, hard work, and playing with heart,” he said.
Fans can look forward to a season that showcases both the bruising ground game and an evolving aerial attack, reflecting the balanced approach the coaching staff has cultivated over nearly three decades.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
