When it comes to powerhouse high school football programs in the southern California area, the Ventura (CA) St. Bonaventure Seraph football history speaks for itself.
State title and countless league title victories, not to mention the lengthy list of talented athletes, are the main reason the small private school in Ventura has flourished on the gridiron.
The Trojans have made a run at several St. Bonaventure stars, signing one of the nation’s top players in 2009 in athlete Patrick Hall, followed by one of the state’s top offensive lineman in 2010, Giovanni DiPoala (6’4, 260).
Despite an impressive victory over a traditional power in Long Beach (CA) Long Beach Polytechnic, the the Seraphs lost a close one to Bishop Amat (CA) 24-23. Personally, the usually harsh self critic is surprisingly pleased with the way he has performed to this point.
“I’ve actually felt good about this year,” said DiPoala of his performance this year. “Usually I’m really hard on myself, but I’ve been having good games.”
An increase in performance can be attributed to a wide variety of things, although DiPoala, who chose the Trojans over Stanford, believes his edge is developed prior to every game.
“I think it’s mental,” said DiPoala of his improvement. “I’ve been pretty much perfecting my pregame ritual, and now I visualize to get prepared. I was testing out a bunch of stuff my first few years , getting too nervous or getting too relaxed, and I’ve got it down now.
“I try to get myself nervous, because I play a lot better when I’m nervous. It’s kind of hard, but I do start off rocky at first but get better through the game.”
His nervous energy has opened up gaping holes for Seraph tailback Devon Blackledge to run through, helping the shifty back to rack up monster numbers on the year. DiPoala, who airs on the lighter side of the spectrum for an offensive lineman, has gotten up to 260lbs.
“I’m about 260 (lbs) right now,” he said of his weight. “I try to play around there, and I’m as fast as I’ve ever been, so it’s not slowing me down a little bit.”
The Trojans are in need of offensive linemen in the 2010 class, and while DiPoala has started at tackle for St. Bonaventure since his freshman year, he will move inside to a position not necessarily overflowing with depth.
“They’re pretty low on centers and that’s where they want me at,” said DiPoala. “I’m going to go there fighting to jump in and learning the position. Coach (Pat) Ruel is a really good coach, so I’m sure he’ll get me there. The only thing that worries me is getting the play calls down.”
While he will need to add weight before making a major impact at the next level, he is ready to do whatever is asked of him when he steps foot on campus next June.
“I’m just going to let them take me by the hand and do what they want me to do,” said DiPoala. “If they want pounds than they’ll put it on me, if they want me to lose weight they’ll take it off me.”
