Guards held in check in defeat

MEMORIAL FIELD — It’s always wise to study before taking a test, that way there are no surprises.

It was obvious from the outset that the Salesian High football team knew exactly what Bellarmine-Jefferson wanted to do Saturday in the Santa Fe League opener for both schools.

The Mustangs had a watchful eye on junior running back Jorge Chaidez, and hoped to pressure young quarterback Daniel Radoccia into mistakes.

The tactics worked to near perfection, as the Mustangs ran all over the Guards, 44-21, at Memorial Field.

One of the best backs in the area, Chaidez found little room to roam against Salesian, which held him in check with 107 yards in 18 carries. Chaidez has rushed for 1,039 yards in seven games.

Every time Chaidez had the ball in his hands, there were numerous defenders swarming in his direction.

“We did our homework,” Mustang Coach Chris Griego said. “We had scouted them for three games. We knew he [Chaidez] was going to carry the ball.”

Meanwhile, Mustang senior tailback Joseph Salazar scored three first-half touchdowns and had 228 rushing yards in 25 carries.

Salesian, the defending league champs, picked up 290 yards on the ground and controlled the clock most of the evening.

Salazar’s four-yard scoring run with 3:34 left in the first quarter tied the game at 7, and his second touchdown -- from 27 yards out pushed the Mustangs ahead, 14-7, with just under nine minutes left before the half.

Chaidez did cross the goalline twice — one on a 90-yard kickoff return down the right sideline with 7:05 left that brought the Guards (3-4) within, 30-21.

“They [Salesian] had a good game offensively,” Chaidez said. “They’re a very good team. Their [offensive] line did a great job. I don’t know what happened to us. We didn’t play our best game, and we needed to against Salesian.”

When it came to hurrying Radoccia, the Mustangs (3-3) did a fantastic job. On many downs, Salesian rushed Radoccia up the middle, forcing him to scramble right or left.

Under constant pressure, Radoccia completed seven of 13 attempts for 121 yards, but was intercepted twice.