Bellarmine takes big step by holding off Campolindo for an impressive 17-16 victory

SAN JOSE – Wherever they are, Bellarmine Bells can hold their heads a little higher, puff their chests a little further, and walk a little taller.

Winning will do that, especially at a school with a proud football tradition.

So why does the Bells’ 17-16 victory over Campolindo on Saturday seem like it makes such a difference? Because the Bells went 0-10 two years ago and were rarely competitive during last year’s 2-8 season. But on Saturday, they beat a strong team. The result said more about the progress of Bellarmine football than any other over the past three seasons.

Now 2-0 under first-year coach Tom Williams, Bellarmine broke a 10-all tie in the third quarter and then watched as Campo missed an extra-point attempt with 4:01 left to hold on for the victory.

After going a combined 4-26 over the past three seasons, the administration, coaches and players finally seem aligned. The Bells are officially good again, relatively speaking. The West Catholic Athletic League will be an even stronger test, but don’t yuck their yum.

“We raised our level,” Williams said. “I think maybe there’s a belief that didn’t exist before. I know this: I like our team, I like our attitude, and I like where we’re at.”

Campo (0-2), coming off a disappointing performance in a loss to Granada, rode the exquisite playmaking of quarterback Cayden Mulliken, who completed 16 of 27 passes for 255 yards and a touchdown.

Mulliken has a quick release and throws a tight spiral with great timing. And it helped to have receivers such as Ryan Erickson, who had five catches for 107 yards, and intercepted a pass. He, Rai Marchetti and Frankie Polichio all showed great hands, strong route running, and a great connection with Mulliken.

But after Mulliken’s 45-yard strike to Erickson gave Campo a 10-7 second-quarter lead, Bellarmine cranked up the pressure and a weary undersized offensive line was no longer able to give him time.

“He didn’t have a chance to really breathe,” Campo coach Kevin Macy said. “For the balls he got out and gave our receivers a chance, he had an impressive night.”

In the first half, Bellarmine senior Jaeden Harris got behind the defense and let an easy touchdown pass slip through his fingers. After that, he seemed even more determined and it paid off when got open in the back of the end zone during a scramble drill and scored the go-ahead touchdown on a pass from Kaden Hill for a 17-10 third-quarter lead.

“I was livid after dropping such an easy pass like that,” Harris said. “But as a receiver, you learn you’ve got to move on to the next play. Coach Williams says that every single day: ‘next play.’ I was down about it, but then I was like, ‘I’ve got to make something happen.’ I ended up making something happen.”

Campo’s James Desyatnik recovered a gift fumble deep in Bellarmine territory off a bad snap, but the Cougars got stuck at the 3 and tried a field goal, which was wide. They were given one more chance, thanks to a poor Bells punt midway through the fourth quarter.

With renewed energy, Campo found the end zone. Colton Willis closed the 55-yard drive with a 4-yard run off left tackle with 4:01 left to draw Campo within a point, only for the extra-point try to sail wide.

Bellarmine handed the ball off six consecutive times to Justin Donahue, who completed an 18-carry, 169-yard night by running out the clock by himself.

Pride matters.

“I think they’re very proud to be Bells,” Williams said. “Their excitement fuels my passion for doing this. I’m just excited to see how far we could go.”