Dedication on and off the field

Saturday morning, both players were in Sacramento for a Black College Fair. The attending schools waived the application fees, one less monetary barriers facing prospective students.

"They're trying to get African-American kids going to more African-American colleges," said Coleman, who applied to 11 schools and was admitted on the spot to four. "They were just pushing us to go to college. A couple schools weren't even looking at [grade point averages]. They were just looking for kids with a commitment."

That commitment to go to college also extended to their team. San Mateo had a 2 p.m. kickoff against Piedmont Hills Saturday. Montgomery and his mom left San Mateo at 6 a.m. and Nick got back to campus just in time for kickoff. He missed a few plays but was on the field most of the game. Coleman didn't make it back until the fourth quarter, having spent extra time talking with counselors at the fair.

San Mateo coach Mike Parodi said he was a bit leery at first about the players not being at the game on time, but gave them his blessing after Montgomery and his mom explained what was going on.

"I was glad [they] went," Parodi said. "[They] are doing everything they can to go to college. [They] want to do college."

Montgomery was not at practice Monday because he was sick but Coleman, who said Texas State University is looking at him for a baseball scholarship, wouldn't be surprised if Montgomery got one as well.

"I know he's gotten a lot of invite letters for football," Coleman said. "But I wouldn't be surprised if he got an academic scholarship as well."

It's nice to see high school athletes and coaches taking an aggressive approach to college. A lot of kids might wait around and see if any colleges came knocking and then wait too long. Coleman and Montgomery are committed to going to college and will do everything in their power to accomplish. Their commitment on the football field has served them well in their pursuit for college enrichment.

"It's very important we have a lifetime commitment and also a football commitment," Coleman said.

***

A few of Riordan players showed a lot of sportsmanship following a very unsportsman-like play near the end of the Crusaders' 39-22 loss to Burlingame.

On the second to last play of the game, Burlingame fumbled the ball with quarterback Drew Shiller falling on the loose ball. In high school, once a player is down, the play is done. Unlike the NFL, a player doesn't have to be touched to be ruled down.

Yet a Riordan defensive lineman decided to take his frustration out on Shiller by spearing him in the lower back when he was on the ground.

The play infuriated Burlingame coach John Philipopoulos, who stormed the field, yelling at the officials and had to be physically pulled back to the sideline.

Shiller didn't think it was that big a deal.

"At first it hurt," Shiller said, who shook it off and took a knee on the last play to end the game.

After the post-game handshakes and huddles, three Riordan players, including starting quarterback Giovanni Perez, came over to Shiller to apologize for their teammate's play.

"That was a classy move," Shiller said.

Nathan Mollat can be reached at e-mail: nathan@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 x102. What do you think of this column? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.