Bishop Amat's Daniel Kane and Davis Cazaris ready to lead Lancers against Mater Dei
Note: Today's feature in the paper was cut short because of space, but the full version is here ...
Bishop Amat defensive players Daniel Kane, left, and Davis Cazaris, the heart and soul Lancers' vaunted defense. (SGVN/Staff photo by Watchara Phomicinda)
By Fred J. Robledo, Staff Writer
LA PUENTE - Notre Dame quarterback Ryan Kasdorf had a simple explanation for Bishop Amat's 31-14 victory over the Knights last week that gave the Lancers a piece of the Serra League title. It also sums up what makes the Bishop Amat defense so special. It is led by a pair of seniors in defensive lineman Daniel Kane and hard-hitting safety Davis Cazares. The Lancers are allowing just 17 points a game, quite an accomplishment considering the opponents they line up against each week. To continue, click thread
"Bishop Amat just out-physicaled us in every part of the game," said Kasdorf, who was sacked five times.
It's something that could have been repeated after just about every Lancers game, with the exception of their lone loss at Crespi, 38-25.
"It's not about who we got on the field, it's about us playing together as a unit," the normally soft-spoken Kane said. "When we don't play as a unit, like against Crespi, you see what happens. But when we're together as one, we can accomplish just about anything."
Mater Dei (6-4) should expect more of the same when it visits the Lancers (9-1) in the first round of the Pac-5 Division playoffs on Friday at Kiefer Stadium, where the Lancers are 10-0 since coach Steve Hagerty took over.
"We don't have a bunch of flashy players," Cazares said. "But we're solid. If we outhit and outhustle you, the rest takes care of itself."
After losing defensive standouts Sheldon Price and Isaiah Bowens, now at UCLA, and Brent Seals, who walked on at Stanford, Hagerty wondered how his undersized no-name defense would do.
Go through just about any scouting service, and you won't find Bishop Amat defensive players at the top of any recruiting list.
It's something Hagerty discussed with former Lancers head coach Mark Paredes, who phoned to congratulate Hagerty on their first league title since 2002.
"We both agreed that this team reminds us of the 1988 team (that reached the championship and lost)," Hagerty said. "Our defense was really good. I could tell you who played, but I don't think anybody that year went anywhere on an athletic scholarship."
The 1988 team followed the much-heralded 1987 team with Mazio Royster that lost in the second round, and the 1986 team with Eric Bienemy that also lost in the second round. That left the Lancers thin on returning marquee players in 1988.
"I remember losing those guys (Royster and Bienemy) and a bunch of other good players and thinking, 'what are we going to do now that all those guys are gone?'" Hagerty said. "And that year ('88) we end up playing Fountain Valley for the championship.
"This team has a lot of similarities to that one, a bunch of kids that work hard and work together," Hagerty said. "This team has what a lot of teams have that win, they care about each other. When you care about each other you have the ability to accomplish just about anything."
At the center of it all is Cazares, a thinking-man's safety who doesn't mind getting in a someone's face. Teammates respect him enough to deliver his message.
"Davis will go over to a player and say, 'if you don't get over to the (bleeping) middle, I'm going to put my foot up your (butt). He won't embarrass you, he will do it a quiet personal way so that you get the message," Hagerty said. "He reminds me a lot of his father Mark (who also played at Bishop Amat). He's a very devoted and focused young man. His instincts on the field are as big a part of his success as anything. He reads well, it's all the things you teach kids, but some kids get it and care about it, where others don't think it's such a big deal.
"Davis takes it and absorbs it. His dad has trained him to be focused, that's why he doesn't miss a lot of reads, that's what allows him as a safety to be where he needs to be. He's religious about that kind of stuff and he has earned a tremendous amount of respect from his teammates because of it.
Kane is the leader in the trenches. He hardly ever says a word, but his teammates get the message, too.
"I think our players watch him work and are inspired by the way he works," Hagerty said of Kane. "I can't tell you how many other coaches have come up to me and said `That guy (Kane) is a stud.' They rave about him."
"He wrestled (last year) and lost about 20 pounds. He's about 255 and is faster, stronger and just better. He has completely devoted himself to being the best player he can be.
"It's amazing how that kind of quiet leadership can come through so loud on team where people love to talk."
Much of the defense success also is attributed to defensive coach Mike DiFiori, the former Lancers head coach who describes Cazares and Kane as the heart of the team's character.
"They anchor both ends," DiFiori said. "It's nice when you have a guy in the middle (Kane) that can take care of two or three gaps, and then Davis in the back making sure everyone is aligned correctly.
"Those two make everyone accountable for their effort because they bring that effort every second. They're always going 190 miles per hour. Nobody will listen to you or react to you if you don't follow through yourself. They just get it, they really do."
fred.robledo@sgvn.com (626) 962-8811, Ext. 2161
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raider nation,
I have a big bucket of yellow and brown ready for you. It's feeding time LOSER!
Outside Observer
Bishop Amat won a share of one the most difficult leagues in the entire country. They have been on the front preps webpage of the Los Angeles Times w/ complete coverage numberous times, including the past 3 weeks. Last night, they beat MATER DEI! Mater Dei beat the pants off of Corona Centennial and only lost to Edison (#1 in the State of California, #5 in the U.S.A.) by ONE TOUCHDOWN.
What part of "apples to oranges" do you not understand? LOL! Bishop Amat beats NATIONALLY ranked St. Bonaventure, Alemany, Loyola, SO Notre Dame, and now Mater Dei.
But yes, you're right, football at Bishop Amat is exactly the same as it is at Los Altos, South Hills, or Charter Oak. LMFAO!!!
Get with the program dude...
It was never my intention to "bash" Bishop Amat. They are, as I said, a good local team worthy of our support. What I DID say, was that it seems that the continuous comparisons between your school and the rest of the valley schools isn't really apples to apples.
Seriously, I've watched high school games in Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri, where they would have chuckled at the though that the Lancers coulld compete with them. It's nothing against Amat...it's just that back there, they don't have a couple of really good players and they a supporting cast. They platoon 22 starters that ALL would start at Amat!
So...be happy they are good. Cheer for them. Buy that hat and sweatshirt. But just leave the public schools alone!
BTW, several of those public schools DID make the playoffs and DID win tonight! And they did it with kids who live within a mile or two of the school! Imagine that!
So let me get this straight....9-1 with victories over teams that would beat an SGV All Star team by 30! ... and IF the Lancers lose....it makes all the hateraction nutjobs right? This reminds me of the idiot who "KEYS" expensive cars and gets into used cars with three previous owners to their name and who drag around three essentials in their trunk...used battery cables. gas and water containers and a cut off piece of hose to syphon gas in a pinch....and feel good about themselves..."Yea...I showed him!!!! ha ha ha ha"
Amat is a sore subject to these types of individuals. Keep telling yourself "they're no better than me" as you key their "season" or bag on their accomplishments or family sacrifices to send their kids to private school in this economy. Try and tarnish Amat's outstanding season by wasting time saying one moronic accusation after another if it makes you forget your station in life...but please don't ever think your actions or words mean a damn thing to anyone but fools just like you.
Funny but when Bishop Amat wins...I read so many comments like "way to represent the SGV"...really? To buther a Joe Pesci line...
"represent how?...how do I represent you?"
Every time I see some dirt bag "thug" wearing a USC cap or jersey I think to myself...."you have no idea"....I love my USC DAD baseball cap....and like Bishop Amat's reputation...."I earned it!"
BEST OF LUCK BISHOP AMAT...WHAT A HECK OF A SEASON...10-1 WOULD BE INCREDIBLE +
jim, Outside Observer, yellow and brown, why hate on Amat? Seriously, wouldn't you rather spend your time and energy cheering and posting positive things for your home team?.......Oh I forgot, they didn't win any games nor made the playoffs this year nor do you have a Life.
All this back and forth between the haters knocking us and us trying to defend AMAT is useless at this point . The game is tonight and that is where we will make our statement. Win or lose they are still going to come after us . To the Men in Blue go out and make us proud tonight. Keep your focus and keep your eyes on the prize. AMAT WILL SHINE.
jim - please give an example of what you feel is an arrogant comment on this blog from an Amat fan
I'm not the idiot, but you seem to be, and by the way, please change your shorts, your begining to bleed yellow and brown.
Outside Observer...Best post yet in years on this Blog!
Do you really belive that statement ? Only if your an idiot
Harry,
If you mean by having football camps and open houses and I know we used to have CYO football at AMAT on Saturdays as your meaning of recruiting then yes you are right. But please what is your definition of recruiting before we get to deep into this one.
Lance R.
"Amat does not recruit players".... Do you really believe that statement?
To Outside Observer,
Where do you seen any Amat follower put down local schools? The bantering between Amat and CO were just that bantering. You don't see anymore CO fan saying they are better than Amat, because our success on the field against the behemoths of football speaks volumes. Nor do we have anything to prove to any local HS except maybe to shut up the haters like yourself. Any hate or dislike we have is to our old nemesis the Slime of St. Paul and now Mater Dei of Santa Ana.
Oh BTW, good luck to all the local SGV football teams in the playoffs! Including Charter Oak and South Hills!
A private school is what we are talking about here. Amat does not recruit players, they come out of word of mouth that if like to play football and you are good at it, this is a traditional football program that you should look into. The same goes for people that live around or from far away that attend schools like Amat, St. Paul, Damien, Servite, Mater Dei, Loyola etc etc. They have a right to attend whatever HS they want to as long as it is private. The kid from Claremont going to ND, his choice, not Amats to go get him and say you play here,,,, he likes ND and maybe his mom or dad works out that way, no one knows. Lots of kids are from in and around Amat and you have some coming from Ontario,Monrovia,Chino Hills...This has nothing to do with Amat vs the Public schools around them. It is a players choice to come to Amat to play sports. By no means is Amat out there sweeping them in forcing them to come play here. It is all done on word of mouth and ads that do not even mention the Football team. The way people paint Amat is like we have a Billboard out there on the 60 fwy east and west telling people to bring their kids to Amat to play football. Jealousy will get you nowhere haters. We do have homegrown kids here at Amat playing football, and they start.
Outside Observer,
There's a 6'5" Freshman on the SO ND Frosh team from Claremont that commutes every day. Obviously Amat doesn't pick pick their players like you say they do, they do but if they did to the extent you say then they would have gotten that kid. There's a plethora of privates in between here and there for him to attend.
Joe Amat,
Could you give us a break down on how many Bishop Amat football players are from La Puente and then a break down on the student population. I bet it is a lot higher than people think.
what a great article. cazares and kane are truly excellent players who deserve such praise. cazares seemingly patrols that secondary seeking prey. he has pummeled many would be receivers across the middle this year and been the spark the defense has needed virtually every game. kane is what i would consider the rock that anchors that defense. i imagine the run defense would not be as prevalent as it is without the play of kane. he soaks up blocks and creates havoc on the other side of the line of scrimmage constantly. i am truly glad to see these deserving young men get recognized for their abilities, but more importantly, their leadership skills. tomorrow's game should be a great one. i will be there. i believe bishop amat will win this game. they seem to answer the bell in the biggest games. good luck to all the teams from the sgv tomorrow night.
It seems to me that Bishop Amat fans who boast about their superiority to the inferior teams in the valley have forgotten one very important fact. ANY TEAM should win when they have their pick of the best players in the area! Having traveled the country and seen high school football all over....I can say with much confidence, that while they are a fairly good team locally, there are no less than 100 teams in the country who would beat the Lancers by 3 touchdowns or more. And many of those teams are from small school USA.
Proclaiming your team to be the greatest in the area....when you have an advantage none of these other schools have, seems a rather hollow accomplishment. It's like getting all happy because the Lakers are better than the mighty Kzeilakistan Midgets! Big woopy deal!
How about just being happy and rooting for your team instead of always putting down the other schools in the area? That would not only be good sportsmanship, it would be classy.
jcaz,
i am comfirming that the "A" will be at midfield on friday for the first round home game. i talked to hagerty this week and he said the kids deserved it. And here we go again with the haters. nothing will satisfy you guys. even if amat wins cif you will be saying that it is not good enough because we didnt play any good teams. just stop hating because your teams arent as good as amat and good enough to play division 1 schools, not just that but the best division 1 schools in the state.
Here's my suggestion, instead of hating, somehow get a ticket and go to Friday's game and see how welcoming the attitude of Bishop Amat fans actually is. You'll decide to stop hating because their respect for everyone is big.
bleeds blah blah blah (Fool); Was kinda indifferent about Monarch game, but now I have a prediction;
MD 28 bishop 0.
raider nation,
You stupid fool*, if you even BOTHER to follow this blog, I have posted my hate for the raiders and especially for their fans many times here and the fear that they may come back here to SoCal.
My comment was a joke and a slap in the face to the raider faithful. If you don't get that, then you have serious comprehension problems that only remedial reading courses can maybe, in YOUR case, can fix.
*stupid fool - the one fool all the other fools call stupid.
Cal Preps has Amat losing. Can it be another first round tank job?? YES AND IT COUNTS.
Being a diehard AMAT fan and alumni, its disappointing to see the complete disrespect the SGV is given all the time. Even CalPreps, one of the best websites for high school football, doesn't respect AMAT in this game. They predict AMAT to lose 24-22.
Go get'em Lancers!! We brought the Bob Wood's Trophy home, lets keep it were it belongs...
When you have a raider mentality like the Bishop guy who bleeds yellow and brown, then you understand why these idiots act the way they do. Bleeds yellow and brown said: I just read where the Raiders benched Jamarcus Russel for the rookie QB. When Jamarcus was informed of the benching in the office, he threw a fit but it was immediately picked off. Classic Raider nations thinking yellow and brown.
I hope the football team loses so I can get back my catcher, third baseman, and center fielder.
jim,
Just read your post. Can you please give an example of an arrogant post by an Amat fan . I have been reading the bogs and have not seen one for an Amat blogger. Some from followers of the program but you should not blame Amat for those posts. Please explain that drive by shot you just took at Amat.
Hey fool you are right the nation can't hang but THE AMAT FAMILY WILL DEFINTELY HANG WITH ANYBODY AT ANYTIME AND ANYPLACE . On to victory .GO LANCERS.
jim - please give an example of what you feel is an arrogant comment on this blog from an Amat fan
I have relatives attending Amat and am trying very hard to support the team! What I can't stand is all the arrogance from the Amat fans. In my opinion, that is the main reason why Amat has haters. Good luck to the team and too bad they have to deal with Arrogant Fans!
I'm only waiting for the golden "A" to appear at mid field once again. Should be real soon don't you agree ?
But not the village idiot. Amat beats Mater Dei in a doozy, get's past the second round...after that hopefully they get it done.
We are Amat!
We are Amat!
Amat gets smacked out of the 1st round 31-17
Just be real amat nation we can't hang with teams that are average, we are amat nation
There is always going to be all those haters and what not, but Amat was predicted 4-6 going into the year and look at them now, 9-1 with a Serra League title...Please can someone tell me any other valley school that is at the level of play in which Amat is...Yes, Charter Oak is good, and South Hills, they are good VALLEY schools, but hwen we are talking about ranked in the state and nation, Amat will be the only valley school to step up to the plate.. Let's lvie the present though, all the haters you guys could hate, but just know that Amat is gonig to continue to do their thing...And DEFENSE is amats strong point. THey have probably one of the best defensive coordinators in the state and just top quality players.... They are not the fastest d, biggest d, or strongest,, but Amat has the knowledge....This d knows what their opponent is going to do and when....THey have film every school day at lunch, and msut know all their assignments before earning the right to play in the game, scouting reports are drilled into their minds....THey get film for each player to take home and study the other team....Amat football in general isnt based on having the best players, but rather the most prepared mentally players....THen the skill comes..DiFori and McCutcheon know what they are doing with this defense, and Hagerty is controlling the o just well....But this article comes down to Davis Cazarez and Daniel Kane, which i completely agree with the tribune that they lead the D. Davis with his hard hitting and voice of the d, and Kane doing all the dirty work down low...Offenses try to key away from these players not knowing that the entire defense is trained to do their job...Kane and Davis don't always make the big play but they do their job no matter what, same goes for the rest of the d....And if an Offense scores 14+ on Amat's defense its because they did their homework. Because this is 2 yrs. in a row now that Amat's d avg. about 14-17 pts. a game only..And for high school football those are good numbers.....
So good luck to Amat, may they continue to play well and win..its win or go home, havnt lost at home in 10 games, keep it up..Too Bad you guys didnt play POlY at home, we could have gave them what they deserved from last yr....But Mater Dei is the task at hands, good luck guys, guarauntee i will b there.....OUT!
Ignore these whiny haters. We could be 1-9, 2-9, 5-5, 10-0, League Champs, Pac 5 Champs.....it does not matter, they will still come out just to hate! Remember envy is a vice and a sin! Go love thy neighbor and cheer for us instead of being such a whiny little biatch that you are.
Oh BTW...You want some CHEESE with the WHINE? LOL.
Fred,
I freakin LOVE IT, great article for a great week! Yes, ALL BLUE CUPS!!!
ON BLUE!!!
Well well well so amat has gotten lucky up until this point, with no offense and special plays from special players I don't see them getting passed the second round. Let's face it amat is the Notre Dame of high school football, and steve hagerty is the charlie weis in the waiting. Next year they will be 3-7 just like ND was, the year after another average year, then the amat nation, family whatever you guys call yourselves will be calling for his head. Football is the only thing holding that school for sports, basketball is garbage, baseball plays in a weak division, and I can't even remember what other sports are at that school. I will let Amat and the rest of the SGV will also, let you guys have your one exciting moment in the steve hagerty era, because after this year it all falls down.
GO MONARCHS!
It will not be that easy and you must earn it all the way through 4 qtrs. This goes for both Bishop Amat and Mater Dei. Cal Preps has Mater Dei as the projected winner of this contest. Even though Mater Dei is a 3 seed out of the Trinity League and Amat is a 1 out of the Serra, this game is a toss up. Could be decided by a field goal late or some more Amat O.T. action. One thing is for sure Kiefer Stadium will be loud and Rocking Friday. No RED cups Amat tailgaters.
I am not a huge Amat fan but also not a hatter.
But I have to say Amats number 65 completely dominated ND. He played a great game and when you havea a NG who can play at that level it gives a D coordinator lots a great option with blitzing and coverage. It really opens it up for everyone on D to do their thing.
Great job kid and if he plays that well this week it will be another no contest.
Good Luck Amat. I hope you show socal that the SGV can play with the OC (if done right).
Mater Dei at Bishop Amat: Bishop Amat Coach Steve Hagerty said Mater Dei receiver Victor Blackwell could "single-handedly" beat the Lancers, but the Monarchs have been inconsistent for most of the season and their signature victory over Corona Centennial came two months ago. Plus, Bishop Amat's defense made Sherman Oaks Notre Dame standout Ryan Kasdorf look like an average high school quarterback last week. That's no small feat. Prediction: Bishop Amat 35, Mater Dei 24.
DEFENSE!!
Great write up Fred. I love watching these two guys in action. They are indeed the heart and soul of our vaunted defense. Keep up the great work guys, all of you boys make us proud to be Lancers!
GO BIG BLUE! BEAT THE MONARCHS!
Lance, what can I say, I'm a team player.
Great Amat article Fred, well done. The most intresting article I found was on B1 in the Healthbeat section. Fred Say it aint so.?