As the St. Joseph Knights raced onto the field before Friday night's football game against the Bishop Diego Cardinals, the players had to run through a giant banner made by the cheer squad that said - in big, bold letters - CAGE THE CARDINALS.

The Knights then went out and did just that - coming away with a 28-12 non-league victory at Al Maguire Field.

Using a balanced offense, St. Joseph (2-2) picked up 250 yards and three touchdowns on the ground and another 134 yards and a touchdown through the air - going up 28-0 before the Cardinals could get on the board.

Tailback Thomas Sua led the Knights, piling up 181 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries.

Fullback Philip Adam picked up 26 yards and powered the ball into the endzone twice.

Quarterback Brian McConkey was 9 for 14 passing, including a perfect strike to Scott Cathcart that was good for 20 yards, a 16-yarder to David Wolfe that kept another drive alive and a picture perfect pass to Patrick Cusack that was good for a 27 yard score.

"The kids played well tonight," said St. Joseph coach Mike Hartman. "Thomas Sua - what a workhorse. Brian McConkey was 9 for 14 with a touchdown. Patrick Cusack, Scotty Cathcart - the whole defense. I'm proud of the way these guys played."

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"St. Joseph's running backs played very well," said Bishop Diego coach Tom Crawford. "Our kids were very competitive, they played hard to the end. They really played their hearts out. I'm very pleased with the way both teams played."

For the Cardinals (2-1), Jacob Sandoval ran for 30 yards the first time he touched the ball, but after that couldn't break a run for more than 8 yards - totaling 110 yards on the ground on 23 carries.

"Our tackling was much better this week," said Hartman. "We emphasized that in practice all week."

Bishop Diego quarterback Christian Winnewisser hit 9 of 21 through the air, good for 129 yards, but his biggest strikes - 29 yards to Sandoval, 24 yards to Kevin Duley and 22 yards and a touchdown to Aaron Skinner - came too late to get the Cardinals back in the game.

"I think Christian grew up tonight," said Crawford. "He was much better throwing the ball but more than that he matured as a leader. For instance, he saw something with the St. Joe defense at the end of the game, called an audible and got us our second touchdown."

The Knights opened the scoring with a 7 play, 68 yard, 3-minute 12-second drive that began in the middle of the first quarter.

Starting at their own 32 yard line, McConkey gave the ball to Sua on three straight plays.

McConkey then went up top - hitting Cathcart with that 20-yard bullet. Sua then pounded the ball down to the 6 yard line.

The Knights then changed the pace, giving the ball to Adam who powered it in from the 6.

Sam Hawkes' point after kick was good, the Knights were up 7-0 and they were off and running.

The Knights made it 14-0 with 9:25 to go in the second quarter after an 11 play, 62 yard drive - culminating with Sua's 1-yard run.

St. Joseph went up 21-0 just before the half, running off a 7 play, 78-yard drive - capped by McConkey's 27-yard touchdown pass to Cusack.

The Knights put this one on ice midway through the third quarter when Adam pounded it in from the four, for his second TD, ending a 5 play, 78-yard scoring drive.

"I'm really proud of these guys," said Hartman. "We had two tough games the last two weeks - against Arroyo Grande and Atascadero - It feels good to get back on the winning side of the ledger."

With the clock winding down in the third quarter, the Cardinals got on the board - after an 11 play, 55 yard drive - with Sandoval running it in from the one.

The Cardinals tried for the two-point conversion and failed.

Winnewisser hit Skinner with a 22-yard touchdown pass with 6:15 remaining in the game for the Cardinals' final score. Again their two-point conversion attempt failed.

"Our kids never quit," said Crawford. "I know we have talent. This was a good test for us as we head into league play. This really is a wonderful group of kids."

"The credit needs to go to coach Crawford and his kids," said Hartman. "They didn't pack it in. They were behind, but they came to play. For that they should be commended. This was a good test for us, too. It was good preparation for our league opener next week. We hope we can carry this momentum on through the next game."

The Knights open their Los Padres League season on the road next Friday night when they travel to Morro Bay. Gametime is 7:30 p.m.

Sports Editor Elliott Stern can be reached at 739-2235 or by e-mail at elliottstern@santamariatimes.com.

Sept. 24, 2005