Garriga Crusaders initiate football program with 36-6 win over West Oso

The Bishop Garriga Middle School Crusaders made history on Saturday, Sept. 8, at the John Paul II Stadium when they launched the first-ever regulation football for Catholic Middle Schools with a 36-6 win over West Oso Middle School.
 
Head coach Leo Galindo, a longtime middle school head coach at Cunningham Middle School in Corpus Christi, said the initial schedule of games will see the Crusaders squaring off against the middle schools of the Corpus Christi Independent School District, including Hass, Cullen, South Park and Cunningham.  
 
Bishop Garriga school principal Mario Vasquez said the decision to introduce football at the school was influenced by the fact that Blessed John Paul II High School has an ongoing four-year program and, as well as at the request of many parents.
 
“It was time to establish a feeder program that would benefit both schools. The addition of football will round out the existing athletic program at the school which includes basketball, volleyball, track and tennis,” Vasquez said.