Friday, November 21, 2025
We had another semi-clandestine Friday lunch meeting today of our Team Husky Trio somewhere in the greater La Cañada-Flintridge megalopolis.
Due to the nature of our sensitive lunches, photos are strictly prohibitive.
All that I'm allowed to say is that our lunch with Paul Sabolić and Michael D'Antuono was more special than usual given the troubling health issues that Paul faced earlier this week.
Thankfully, Paul is doing much better and was in great spirits throughout our time together today.
By the way, Paul wisely forsook his traditional order of fried fish and chips for a much healthier salad like the ones that Michael and I usually order at these lunches.
I had given Paul a ride to our lunch and after dropping him off at his home, it hit me.
Paul and Joanne's home in Northridge is close to a Porto's Cuban Bakery.
Porto's was crowded as always . . .
. . . but the wait was worth it
Two dozen meat pies, four ham croquettes, four potato balls, a cheese roll and an apple strudel should be just about right.
Life can be interesting and righteously delicious at times, to be sure.
Time for another edition of Friday Night Lights . . .
A C.I.F.-S.S. DXII Semifinal Game
It would be my 63rd football game of the 2025 calendar year having seen games in Spain, California and South Carolina.
Let's take a look at tonight's combatants . . .
Bellflower H.S. Buccaneers
8-4 overall, 3-2 Mid-Cities League
Third Place Mid-Cities League
2025 Results
vs. Santa Ana (4-6) – Lost 2-0 Forfeit
at Oxnard (0-10) – Won 35-7
vs. Whittier (5-5) – Won 28-6
vs. Rio Hondo Prep (12-0) – Lost 36-7
at Arrowhead Christian (1-9) – Won 16-14
at Gahr (7-5) – Lost 48-13 *
vs. Firebaugh (1-9) – Won 51-0 *
at Compton Early College (2-8) – Won 63-7 *
at Lynwood (4-6) – Won 21-7 *
vs. Norwalk (10-1) – Lost 41-7 *
vs. Nogales (7-4) – Won 14-7 **
vs. Colton (6-6) – Won 13-12 **
* Mid-Cities League Game
** C.I.F.-Southern Section DXII Playoff Game
at
Santa Paula H.S. Cardinals
7-5 overall, 1-4 Tri-County League
Fifth Place Tri-County League
2025 Results
at Grace (9-3) – Won 45-34
vs. La Cañada (10-2) – Lost 42-14
at Del Sol (1-9) – Won 42-0
at Narbonne (0-10) – Won 34-8
vs. Carpinteria (3-6) – Won 43-10
vs. Agoura (10-2) – Lost 35-10 *
at San Marcos (4-7) – Lost 25-0 *
vs. Dos Pueblos (4-6) – Lost 14-3 *
at Hueneme (1-9) – Won 27-16 *
vs. Fillmore (9-2) – Lost 45-8 *
vs. Ocean View (7-4) – Won 27-7 **
at Arroyo Valley (9-3) – Won 21-14 **
* Tri-County League Game
** C.I.F.-Southern Section DXII Playoff Game
Even though I may have had a few Cuban meat pastries before we left for the game, we still needed to maintain our pre-game rituals which always includes a pre-game meal.
We dined in the lap of luxury at Santa Paula's Draft House at the Mupu Grill, an always fun sports bar run by Greg the grill's always warm welcoming owner.
Their chicken Caesar salad hit the spot.
On to the game . . .
Tempting but not tonight
It must be noted that this was Santa Paula's first trip to the Semifinals in 53 years. That particular Cardinals team was led by legendary Head Coach Joe Zeno.
The two teams were warming
up as we settled into our seats
The Cardinals exiting the field quietly . . .
. . . only to return moments later
with a vengeance
We were "Ready for Some Football!"
Santa Paula came out throwing
Did he catch this pass?
Yes, he did!
End of the First Quarter
Bellflower - 0
Santa Paula - 0
Solid Santa Paula pass protection
The Buccaneers run the no nonsense,
ground oriented Double Wing Offense
The Cardinals pounced on this
Buccaneer fumble to end a drive
Halftime Score
Bellflower - 7
Santa Paula - 7
Santa Paula's TD came as the result of a blocked punt with a 35 yard scoop and score for a happy Cardinal Defensive lineman.
The Cardinals kept throwing and it
eventually opened up their ground game
The Buccaneers just kept lining up . . .
. . . and running the ball with power
A patient Bellflower RB and a host
of Buccaneers running through
the hole play after play
End of the Third Quarter
Bellflower - 14
Santa Paula - 7
The fans were riveted and into
the game 100%
OH, NO!
It was Fourth and Goal and the Cardinals were still trailing by seven points but the Bellflower Defense came up with a HUGE stop.
No matter, the Cardinals would fight back on the next possession to tie the game and then, thanks to great Defense, get the opportunity to get the win if they could convert a 22 yard Field Goal with just seven seconds left in the contest.
They did and I'm guessing that the Cardinal's kicker, in future years, will never have to pay for a beer in this town the rest of his life.
Such is life in a small town like Santa Paula's high school football fortunes.
Joy and Bubbles in the Santa Paula
community's post-game celebration
Final Score
Santa Paula (8-5) - 17
Bellflower (8-5) - 14
The Cardinals will play on the road against the Grace H.S. Lancers (10-3) next Friday for the C.I.F.-Southern Section DXII Championship and a berth in the California State Playoffs.
These two teams played in the first game of the season, a 45-34 Santa Paula victory way back on August 22nd.
Reaching the C.I.F.-Southern Section Championship Game is a tremendous accomplishment in any year. For Santa Paula H.S., established in 1891, it is rarified air.
In 1948, the Cardinals won the C.I.F.-Southern Section's Northern Division crown by beating Carpinteria H.S. Warriors, 33-20.
The 1950 campaign saw Santa Paula winning their second C.I.F.-Southern Section's Northern Division Championship Game, this time besting Paso Robles H.S. Bearcats, 13-6.
The next time a Cardinals football team reached the C.I.F.-Southern Section Championship Game was 1963 AA title tilt. This time the Brea Olinda H.S. Wildcats defeated the Cardinals, 21-7.
This then is Santa Paula's fourth ever shot at the big prize.
GOOD LUCK, CARDINALS!
We just had to celebrate the Cardinal's
win with some ice cream at
Santa Paula's Baskin-Robbins store
Tonight's scores from the five
Semifinal games that involved six
Ventura County area schools
News from the net . . .
High School Football is
still #1 in the USA
We were asked to pick our
favorite helmet from the long
defunct World Football League
For me, it was the Southern California Sun followed by the Memphis Southmen.
He did WHAT?
Why had I never heard of this remarkable and most interesting story?
It was a good Friday on many levels, now we look forward to our next football game tomorrow night at the Rose Bowl.
GO HUSKIES!
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