Judging by those four categories, the Bulldogs were effective in a 38-16 non-conference win over De Anza Saturday in the season opener for both teams. CSM averaged 7.0 yards per carry (Pollack said 5.0 is excellent), allowed zero sacks (pretty good job by the offensive line there) and had 10 plays covering 15 yards or more (the team aims for eight or more).

The Bulldogs did commit two turnovers — Pollack would like to see one or none — but that was offset by De Anza’s three giveaways. So all in all it was a successful day offensively, given the fact that it was an opening game. Defensively, CSM absolutely stuffed the Dons in the run game, limiting them to 7 yards on 29 carries.

One thing Pollack would like to see that didn’t happen against De Anza is for the offense to suck the morale out of the opposition.

“I didn’t see the killer instinct that I would have liked,” he said.

Pollack likes to establish the run game first, and from that standpoint CSM was fabulous, finishing with 348 yards on 49 carries. Quarterback Wes Price (13 rushes, 143 yards) and running backs Daniel Porter (12 rushes, 77 yards) and David Aknin (11 carries, 65 yards) combined for the bulk of the output. The trio looked strong behind a stout offensive line. Still, the passing game — which produced only 82 yards — left a lot to be desired.

“We’re still waiting for a receiver to emerge,” Pollack said. “I don’t count the slots as receivers, but guys on the outside. You find out a lot about the team from Game 1 to Game 2.”

Which brings us to Saturday’s 1 p.m. home game against cross-bay rival Chabot. The Bulldogs and Gladiators have played every year for the last decade, and possibly longer. The close proximity and relationships between the coaching staffs make this game always interesting to watch. The games are marked by a lot of trash-talking, tons of penalties, explosive action and at times great finishes.

“It’s a friendly war between the coaching staffs,” Pollack said. “There are recruiting wars with us and Chabot. They fired a shot over here and won (a battle during the offseason).”

Pollack was referring to former Aragon standout quarterback Alex Miller, who decided to play for the Gladiators but is currently out with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, Pollack said. Even though Chabot got over on this one, CSM has done its fair share of raiding East Bay talent, as a number of its starters and key backups hail from the greater Oakland and Hayward area.

Speaking of recruiting, Kansas State coach Ron Prince was at CSM on Tuesday to take a look at linebacker Hanson Sekona and a couple of other players.

CSM Water Polo

Bulldogs coach Randy Wright will never be confused for being the sleepy type.

He’s full of energy, hope and if he ever wanted to could probably find a job as a motivational speaker. For Wright, 2010 can’t come soon enough. That’s when CSM — which is currently undergoing a massive construction project — will have an aquatics facility second only on the Peninsula to Stanford’s, Wright said.

For now, the Bulldogs have to make do as a team without a home. When they’re not playing games, the Bulldogs practice three days a week at Carlmont High, one day at Highlands Recreation Center and one day at San Mateo High. Ninety percent of their matches are on the road.

“We are a band on the run,” Wright said. “We’re moving around the greater San Mateo area.”

The lack of a home facility hasn’t put a damper on Wright’s outlook. Far from it. CSM opened the season over the weekend with a 16-10 win over Sacramento City. It dropped its next game to Merced 17-7 but rebounded with a 22-3 win over Laney. Sophomore center/driver Tiffany Chan showed why she’s one of the top two or three players Wright has coached in the last six years, as she tallied 22 goals in three games, including 11 against Sacramento City.

Chan, a Mills High graduate who was the Peninsula Athletic League Ocean Division Most Valuable Player two years ago, has a chance to break Jessica Scott’s single-season goal scoring record. Like Scott did a few years back, Chan can dominate a game at a moment’s notice. Her versatility and instincts are what separate her from many players.

“She’s got great inside moves, and is good in motion and in set,” Wright said. “She has too many moves. In Coast Conference I don’t think she can be defended one-on-one. It’s not my team, it’s her team.”

The Bulldogs are working themselves into game shape, having only practiced for the last three weeks. Other teams with their own facilities practiced for a lot longer. Despite the lack of a home pool presence, Wright isn’t going to use that as an excuse. He’s coaching his team to win, in and out of the pool. And while it’s a tough situation, Wright sees brighter days ahead — much brighter.

“We’re weathering the storm, but in two years there will be a ray of sunshine,” he said. “The new facility is going to turn heads. The dream is coming.”