Bishop Diego High School, the CIF State 3AA champion in 2017, appears positioned to pursue more future glory.
Two Cardinal underclassmen — sophomore Jordon Tagaloa and junior Adrian Soracco — received top honors for their performances during last fall’s 4-7 season. Both also helped Bishop achieve its record-setting, 15-1 season in 2017.
Tagaloa, a 6-foot-2 and 285-pound defensive lineman, was selected by CalHi Sports to its All-State Sophomore Team. He made 44 tackles — second-best on the team — which included 22 solo stops for the Cardinals last season.
He also played right tackle on offense.
“Jordon deserves the recognition he is receiving,” Cardinals coach Tom Crawford said. “He is a hard working, team-first young man with tremendous strength, size, smarts and mobility.
“He is still coming into his own, so we are excited to see his continued development over the next two years. He could be special.”
Soracco was one of four County players to be voted to the All-CIF Southern Section teams for 11-man football The 5-foot-11, 205-pound running back was selected to the Division 4 team after rushing for 1,151 yards on 163 attempts – an average of 7.1 per carry – and 12 touchdowns.
Channel League champion Lompoc placed two juniors of its own on the Division 3 honor squad: Leondre Coleman and Jacob Nunez.
Coleman, a 6-2 and 200-pound offensive back, rushed for 980 yards and 11 TDs on 144 carries, and he also catch 12 passes for 316 yards and five scores. He also made an impact for the Braves’ defense with 60 tackles, which included 42 solo stops and 9.5 quarterback sacks.
Nunez, a 6-4 and 275-pound offensive lineman, paved the way for Lompoc’s powerful running game. The Braves rushed for 2,733 yards and 31 TDs last season.
Santa Ynez High’s Jasper Kadlec was tabbed to the All-CIF Division 7 team as a utility player. The 6-4 and 210-pound senior gained 1,091 all-purpose yards. That included 565 receiving yards with 10 TDs on 28 catches, 154 rushing yards with three TDs on 16 carries, 337 kick-return yards with one TD, and 35 more yards on interception returns.
Seven county players were also chosen to the All-CIF team for Eight-Man Football, with Cate quarterback Jack Deardorff earning selection as the Division 1 Offensive MVP. Three of his Ram teammates – senior Drew Anastasio and juniors Casey Callum and Scott Holmes, also made the Division 1 squad.
Valley Christian Academy placed four players on the Division 2 honor squad for Eight-Man Football: seniors Andrew Sparlin and Ethan McCoy, junior Adam Aldana, and sophomore Tyler McCoy.
VOLLEYBALL
CARDINALS HIRE NEW COACHES
Bishop Diego High has hired new coaches for both of its volleyball programs, with Dillan Bennett taking over both the indoor and sand teams for the girls, and Keely Stevenson assuming head duties for the Cardinal boys.
Bennett, who helped coach the Penn State women’s program last fall, previously coached at Laguna Blanca, Dos Pueblos, and Bishop Diego. He will take over for four-year head Coach John Sener, who stepped down after leading the Cardinals to the playoffs the past three years.
“Dillan is a talented and accomplished coach with a track record of success and a bright future ahead of him,” athletic director Dan Peeters said. “I am thrilled to bring him on board and look forward working with him again.”
Stevenson played at El Segundo High,the University of Northern Arizona, El Camino College, and UCSB. She previously served at Bishop in 2016 as an assistant for the girls’ varsity and is currently the Player Development Director for the Santa Barbara Volleyball Club.
“Her energy, enthusiasm, and passion for volleyball will ensure the boys reach their potential,” Peeters said.
