See more photos below Photos by Mary Cottingham, South Texas Catholic
The Bishop Garriga Middle Preparatory School Crusaders played an intra-squad scrimmage on Aug. 27 at St. John Paul II High School football field. The teams wore their new uniforms courtesy of Mira's Sports and More. In addition they wore new gold helmets, "which mirror the Notre Dame team," Athletic director and coach Jack Tanny said.
Coach Jason Moreno raised $3,200 for the new helmets, and the rest came from the school's football fund. Other coaches include Ashton Benavidez, Robert Garibay, Jason Moreno and Jaime Guerrero.
The two teams pitted against each other were Bishop Garriga's sixth and seventh graders against eighth graders. The Sixth and seventh graders wore the white out of town uniforms and the eighth graders wore the blue home team uniforms. Just as in a real game, parents, teachers and students filled the stands and cheerleaders led the cheers.
Tanny said the school's motto, "BG III" on his cap and shirt (also worn by other coaches, parents and staff) represents the three "G's" in the order of importance–"God" first, "grades" second and "game" third.
"We impress upon the students that when they don the uniform of the Crusader they are representing our school–we expect them to be first and foremost Catholic/ Christian individuals in their attitude and their manner; secondly we expect them to do their very best in the classroom; and finally we expect them to give 100 percent on the field," Tanny said.
Bishop Garriga is the only middle Catholic school in the Diocese of Corpus Christi with a football team. The teams open their season to play against London ISD seventh graders at 5:30 and eighth graders at 7 p.m. The games will be played at London. Other schools on their schedule include Driscoll, Ricardo, Browne, Baker and Adkins.
No score was kept during the scrimmage but the coach was pleased with what he saw.
"I thought that our eighth-grade running back Josh Moreno and quarterback Jaime Guerrero put on an outstanding performance and I was pleased with their progression and look forward to seeing them play for the rest of season," Tanny said.
Principal Rene Gonzalez and president Father Peter Martinez came out for the event and players and spectators were treated to lunch and refreshments after the game.
The 2016 Football Schedule
Sept. 8 BG at London 7th grade at 5:30 p.m. 8th grade at 7 p.m.
Sept. 14 Ricardo at BG 8th grade at 5 p.m.
Sept. 21 BG at Beeville 7th grade at 5:30 p.m. 8th grade at 7 p.m.
Sept. 28 Driscoll at BG 7th grade at 6 p.m. 8th grade at 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 5 Fall Break No games
Oct. 12 Adkins at BG 7th grade at 6 p.m. 8th grade at 7:30
Oct. 19 Browne at BG 7th grade at 6 p.m. 8th grade at 7:30 (Homecoming)
Oct. 26 Baker at BG 7th grade at 6 p.m. 8th grade at 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 11 CCISD at BG 7th grade at 6 p.m. 8th grade at 7:30 p.m.
*Schedule subject to change. All home games will be played at Saint John Paul II High School.