SAN JOSE, CA – Anthony Guttadauro and Kyle Macauley will make their last appearance together on Friday night at San Jose City College, and it couldn’t be on a bigger stage. The running back and defensive back duo, famously named “Guttacauley” by GetSportsFocus’ Justin Lum, will be competing for Bellarmine’s fourth CCS Open Division title against top-seeded Sacred Heart Prep.
“The game plan is to go out and hit them in the mouth and play the football we know we are capable of,” says Macauley. “We need to start fast, play shut down D, and get our offense going. Our biggest adversity in this game is going to be ourselves. I believe if we play to our potential then no one can stop us.”
“SHP is undefeated and the number 1 seed. They have been in big games before. We need to forget about all that and worry about our game and how we play,” adds Guttadauro. “We need to finish, finish, finish!”
Both athletes have played key roles on the Cinderella story Bells squad that sits at 10-2 after rallying for two improbable victories against Milpitas in overtime two weeks ago and Valley Christian last week in the semi-final round.
“Our motto has always been that the strength of our team is our team, but Kyle and Twon have really served as a vital backbone to this team and it shows when they have to go both ways,” said senior center Joe Goode. “As running backs, they have to take hard hits get back up, do it again, and then go on defense. I have a tremendous amount of respect for them”.
Guttadauro, the senior, has been playing tackle football since he was in fifth grade, and played flag football prior to that. He found home at cornerback, running back, and wide receiver when he picked up the gridiron game, and has been playing those three positions ever since. In addition, the guy many know as “Twon,” is a hardcore Oakland Raiders fan.
“Yes, I love the Oakland Raiders. It’s been a difficult run, but if they can beat the ‘9ers on Sunday it will make the last 12 years of crap worth it,” said Anthony ahead of Sunday’s matchup at O.Co Coliseum in Oakland.
Macauley, the junior, has taken a different journey to finding home at the same positions as Guttadauro. He started playing tackle football in seventh grade as a receiver and a linebacker, moved to running back during his freshman year, and started playing defensive back during his sophomore year. Macauley is also a 49ers fan.
“My favorite football team is the 49ers. I know Twon’s is the Raider's but come on they've only won one game,” said Macauley.
Although the both of them have taken different routes to Friday’s CCS Final, the reason they play the game of football is exactly the same.
“My teammates are the reason I love playing the game so much. The bonds I have made over the last few years are unlike any I have made before. I could never leave these guys after all we've been through together. They've really made me appreciate the experience,” explains Macauley.
“My inspiration in football comes from my teammates. Football is a true team game. If one part isn’t doing its job the entire team suffers. I love the brotherhood that is created on a football team. The other team is trying to take your head off and you have to go to war with your brothers,” adds Guttadauro. “That you are backed up against a wall and you only have your teammates standing next to you. That is inspiring to me.”
The brotherhood at Bellarmine is something special for both of the players, and obviously something that has helped moved the Bells into Friday night’s championship game. Both players’ favorite memories of the game of football have taken place at Bellarmine as well. For Guttadauro, it was his MVP performance in the 2013 “Holy War” game, or the annual rivalry against St. Francis, when he scored three touchdowns (one a pick-six) and made the game saving tackle. For Macauley, it was celebrating with his team after the 9-6 overtime two weeks ago against Milpitas.
“My favorite memory comes from this year when we beat Milpitas in OT. I was a few yards away from Calomeni when he caught the game winning TD and the first one to celebrate with him. It was an incredible moment with our team. Everyone rushed onto the field and we celebrated our biggest win of the season,” said Macauley.
“With 4th down on the Bellarmine 3-yard line and no timeouts left, St. Francis ran a sweep to my side to try and send the game to overtime and I made a shoe string tackle to end the game,” said Anthony. “My father said I should have quit after that.”
The Bells should be glad he didn’t, and they will certainly miss him next year. Guttadauro, won’t be finished playing football though, as he has been given an offer to walk-on at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT, an established Division 1AA school competing in the Northeast Conference. The senior has also seen interest from multiple Division II and III programs. As for Macauley, he says that college is not on his mind yet.
Outside of football, both Bells compete on the track team, and Guttadauro also plays point guard for the basketball team. In addition, they excel in the classroom, with the senior maintaining a 3.9 GPA and the junior a 3.8. Twon prefers Mathematics, and hopes to major in Economics or Finance in College.
“My dad is a financial planner and has his own practice and I have thought many times that I would like to get into that business and maybe take over his firm when he retires,” explains Guttadauro.
Kyle prefers English, but notes that his favorite class is his Spanish 3 class with his teacher Mr. Hansbrough, known to many around the Bellarmine campus as “Hache,” which stands for the letter H in Spanish. Macauley does not have an intended major yet.
But for now, the only thing in their minds is Friday night.
“I am really sad that Friday is going to be my last time playing for Bellarmine. I know all the seniors on the team feel the same way. I am going to miss Bellarmine Football, all my fantastic coaches, trainers, fans and especially my teammates,” said Guttadauro.
“As a freshman the first time I touched the ball I ran back the opening kick-off of our opening game for an 84-yard touchdown. The last time I leave the field as a Bellarmine Football player I want to hold up the CCS Championship Trophy!”
All Macauley had to say was “Go Bells!”
