SAN JOSE, CA -- Bellarmine was considered by some to be an under-the-radar team heading into the season, but after a 56-20 rout of Piedmont Hills to give it a 3-0 record in non-conference play, the rest of the WCAL should be taking notice.
It all went right for Bellarmine Friday night at San Jose City College. Led by versatile and dynamic offensive threat Kyle Macauley, the Bells ran wild on the Pirates with six rushing touchdowns, and all but one of their scores came on big plays that were at least 20 yards. Macauley led the way with three touchdowns, the first of which was a 72-yard run straight up the left side that set the tone on the Bells’ first possession. He also made a spectacular, one-handed leaping catch late in the second quarter for a 65-yard touchdown that gave Bellarmine a 35-6 lead.
“Macauley is a big-play guy,” said Bellarmine coach Mike Janda. “He’s got great speed and vision. We’re going to need him to make big plays.”
Thanks to a five-touchdown second quarter, the Bells opened up a 49-6 halftime lead, and extended it right off the bat in the second half when Devon Buenrostro returned the opening kickoff 91 yards to the end zone.
It was a struggle for Piedmont Hills to conjure up much consistency on either offense or defense. They did score two touchdowns late – Isaiah Stewart and Aaron Tillak from quarterback Marcus Romero – to make the score more respectable.
Said Piedmont Hills coach Matthew Kiesle: “We had to play close to perfect and we didn’t do that. You never play a perfect game, but to beat [Bellarmine], you can’t afford to make the mistakes we made.”
Kiesle added that Bellarmine has always been a tough opponent “all 15 years we’ve played them,” a compliment for both the Bells’ players and coaches.
Speaking of which, tonight’s victory marked Janda’s 250th win as a coach at Bellarmine, a milestone for the man who has been patrolling the Bells’ sidelines since 2004.
“It just reminds me how old I am,” he said, modestly. He declined to isolate his favorite moment, but mentioned how much he enjoyed “being with the players and coaches every day.”
Janda and the Bells will look to continue their win streak as league play begins for them on Oct. 4 against St. Ignatius. Piedmont Hills will head to Gilroy next Friday.
