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The Bellarmine Bells football team represents Bellarmine College Preparatory in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) of high school football. Bellarmine plays its home games at San Jose City College in San Jose, California. The head coach of Bellarmine is Jalal Beauchman[1], the 6th head coach in the program's history. The Bells compete in the West Catholic Athletic League (WCAL) as a member of the Central Coast Section (CCS). The Bells have won 20 WCAL titles, 7 CCS Division 1 Championships, and have played in the California State Championship game three times[2].

Bellarmine Bells Football
SchoolBellarmine College Preparatory
Founded1916
LeagueWest Catholic Athletic League (WCAL)
Based inSan Jose, CA
StadiumSan Jose City College Stadium
AnthemBells Fight Song
Head coachJalal Beauchman
League titles20
MascotBellarman
Official fan clubBCP Blue Crew
BroadcastersKevin Danna

History

Early History

The Bellarmine football program traces its origins to 1916 when the school was known as Santa Clara University Preparatory.

Dennis Heenan era (1938-1946)

Dennis "Denny" Heenan was the first official head coach of Bellarmine Football. He legitimized the program by establishing a track record of success as he compiled 56 wins, 18 losses, and 5 ties. Heenan went on to become the Athletic Director at Santa Clara University. Heenan returned to coach at Bellarmine in 1965 where he coached JV football until 1976, when he retired.

Bill Prentice era (1948-1951)

After his graduation from Santa Clara University, Bill Prentice became the head coach of the Bells. He was an instant success, winning the Catholic Athletic League in his first year. In his four years as Bellarmine's head coach, he compiled 26 wins, 11 losses, and 1 tie. Bill Prentice coached standout Bellarmine players such as Bill Nolan, Dick Pfaff, and 5 time Super Bowl winner Bill McPherson.

John Hanna era (1952-1976)

John Hanna became the head coach in 1952 and went on to become the longest tenured head coach up until that point. In his 24 seasons as head coach, he accumulated 21 winning seasons in which 5 were undefeated seasons. Between 1963 and 1966, the Bells had one of their most dominant runs as a program as they had 36 wins and only one loss in that time frame. Additionally, in that time frame, the Bells had 4 All-Americans, 2 nationally ranked teams, and boasted the number one ranked defense in the nation in 1965.

Walt Arnold era (1977-1983)

In 1977, Walt Arnold was hired as the head coach of the Bells. In his 6 year tenure, he accumulated the highest winning percentage of any Bellarmine coach at 82%. In the 1981 season, the Bells won their first ever CCS championship in any sport under Arnold's direction. That same year, the Bells played in the California State Championship game. Walt Arnold's teams were perennial contenders in the then Catholic Athletic League (now West Catholic Athletic League) and CCS. Arnold was a competitive coach who instilled that nature in his players. The Bells, under Arnold, ran a pro-style offense with a fullback and a tailback, with the quarterback under center on most downs. The Bell's rivalry with the Saint Francis Lancers was taken to a new height during Arnold's tenure as he maintained a professional rivalry with the head coach of the Lancers at the time Ron Calcagno.

Mike Janda era (1984-2019)

Mike Janda has the longest head coaching career in the Bell's program to date of 36 years[3]. Under Janda, the Bells were known for their unique run-heavy double wing style of offense where they relied on misdirection and disciplined blocking. Janda became the winningest coach in CCS history[4] with 270 wins, 104 losses, and 3 ties. The Bells won 6 CCS Championships (1986, 1990, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2015), and 14 WCAL Championships. Additionally, the Bells made it to the California State Championship Game 2 times under Janda. In 2011 led by quarterback Travis McHugh and linebacker Joe Gigantino, the Bells had one of the most successful seasons in the program's history as they won the WCAL, CCS[5], and made it to the California State Championship game. Quarterback Travis McHugh won CCS Player of the year. In 2015, the Bells defeated Folsom in the Nor-Cal State Championship Game with standout quarterback Troy Martig under center[6].

Jalal Beauchman era (2020-Present)

In March of 2020, Jalal Beauchman was hired as the head coach of the Bellarmine Bells[7]. Beauchman played for the Bells himself where he was a standout wide receiver both in high school and in college where he played for the San Jose State Spartans. In 2019, Jalal Beauchman served as the head coach of Bellarmine's freshman team where they went undefeated and won the Freshman Football WCAL title.

2020 Season

Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, the 2020 football season was moved from its usual Fall schedule to Spring of 2021 where the Bells played a shortened season of 5 games. Under Jalal Beauchman, the Bell's entire program was transformed. Beauchman made it a priority to modernize the program as he introduced a new spread offense system with the help of offensive lineman coach Scott Glicksberg. Additionally, he incorporated a college level style of defense as he brought former Bell player Joe Gigantino as the defensive coordinator. Former Bell player and San Jose State alum Jackson Burrill was brought on as special teams coordinator. Additionally, Beauchman hired Bell alum Brennan Ronald as the Director of Football Operations. Together, Beauchman and Ronald modernized the program by incorporating data analytics, headed by then Director of Data Analytics Samarth Girish[8]. Additionally, the program established a student front office staff of graphic designers, video editors, and a marketing team to propel the Bellarmine Football brand.

The Bells showed signs of promise in the 2020 season as they went 2-3. The season included a win against the Archbishop Mitty Monarchs [9], a team the Bells had not beat in 5 years at the time. Additionally, the second win of the season came against the San Benito Haybalers [10], a game in which the Bells had 17 players and one coach out due to Covid protocols[11]. The Bells found themselves down by 14 points against the Haybalers and had a come from behind win led by quarterback Tommy Anderson, running back Jaxon Sawyer, wide receiver Nicho Domine, and tight end Griffin Waiss.

The Bell's losses came against the Central Catholic Raiders [12], a game in which the Bells blew a 21 point lead. The other losses in that season came against the Valley Christian Warriors [13], and the Saint Francis Lancers [14].

2021 Season

The Bells came into the 2021 season with momentum from the promising 2020 campaign. Led by quarterback Wade Smith and running back Ben Pfaff, the unranked Bells stunned the 5th ranked Menlo-Atherton Bears in the first game of the season [15]. The 2021 season marked the first time since 2015 where the Bells won their first four games of the year. After defeating the Bears, the Bells beat the San Leandro Pirates [16], Central Catholic Raiders [17], and the Archbishop Riordan Crusaders [18]. The Bells also defeated the Archbishop Mitty Monarchs [19], Valley Christian Warriors [20], and the Saint Ignatius Wildcats [21]. The Bell's regular season losses came against the Junipero Serra Padres[22], Sacred Heart Cathedral Fightin' Irish [23], and the Saint Francis Lancers. The Bell's finished the regular season with a record of 7-3 and finished 3rd in the WCAL. The Bells qualified for the CCS Division 1 Playoffs as the number 3 seed [24]. The revival of the program brought a sense of belief into the student body and the phrase "We Bellieve" became the rallying cry for the team.

In the first round of the playoffs, the Bells faced the Los Gatos Wildcats. Though the Bell's were the higher seed, the match occurred at the Wildcat's home stadium Helm Field due to Covid-19 restrictions at the Bell's regular home San Jose City College. It was a close game in the 4th quarter in which the Wildcats had the ball on the Bell's nine yard-line with 57 seconds left in the game. The Wildcats opted to pass which resulted in the ball being tipped by Bells linebacker Brandon Broch and intercepted by Bells defensive back Thomas Divittorio who returned the ball 90 yards for a game sealing pick 6 . That play went on to be known as "Mayhem at Helm" due to the chaos and elation which ensued during and after the play. Divittorio was awarded 49ers Cal-Hi Sports Play of the Year for his heroics.

The Bells advanced to the CCS Semi-finals where they lost to the eventual CCS Champions the Serra Padres[25].

Championships

CCS Championships

The Bells won the CCS Championship in the following years: 1981, 1986, 1990, 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2015 [26].

Facilities

San Jose City College Stadium

The Bells play their home games at San Jose City College as the stand on-campus is not large enough to fit all fans.

Ghiorso Field

Ghiorso Field is the practice facility for the Bell's varsity team which is located on the Bellarmine College Preparatory campus. This serves home field for the Freshman team and for select Junior Varsity games.

Rivalries

Saint Francis Lancers

The Saint Francis Lancers are the Bell's biggest rival due to both school's high academic and athletic standards. The rivalry game called "The Holy War" occurs at least once a year where both school's students prepare festivities in the week leading to the game. The 2022 season will mark the 76th Holy War game.

Archbishop Mitty Monarchs

The Monarchs and the Bells field a rivalry due to the proximity between the two schools. Though the Monarchs play their usual home games during the day, when they play the Bells at home, the game usually occurs at night, generally signifying the Homecoming game for the Monarchs.

Junipero Serra Padres

The Padres and Bells share a rivalry due to both schools being the only two all-boys schools in the WCAL.

Culture

Blue Crew

The Blue Crew is the official student section of the Bellarmine Bells. Led by Yell-Leaders, they organize cheers, chants, and in-game celebrations.

Bellarmine Band

The Bellarmine Pep Band serves as the primary source of auxiliary entertainment at Bellarmine Football games. Before the game, the band plays during the tailgate for the fans, and in game, the band plays during timeouts, breaks, and scores. Though not a marching band, the Bellarmine Pep Band features a variety of instruments from a brass section to drums, guitar, keyboard, and bass.

Mascots

Bellarman

Bellarman is the official mascot of the Bellarmine Bells. The mascot is an anthropomorphic Bell who can be seen waving flags, taking pictures with fans, and cheering on the Bells. The Bellarman gets his name from a play of words on the school name "Bellarmine".

Mini-man

The Mini-man in a miniature version of the Bellarman. The Mini-man and the Bellarman are often seen together as they support the Bells.

References

  1. ^ "Bellarmine hires its next football coach, promoting from within". The Mercury News. 2020-03-30. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  2. ^ "Football | Bellarmine College Preparatory". www.bcp.org. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  3. ^ "Longtime Bellarmine Varsity Football Coach Mike Janda Retires from the Gridiron | Bellarmine College Preparatory". www.bcp.org. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  4. ^ "Bellarmine football coach Mike Janda announces he's retiring". The Mercury News. 2020-01-24. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  5. ^ "High school football: Bellarmine routs Palo Alto for CCS Open Division title". The Mercury News. 2011-12-02. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  6. ^ Sabedra, Darren (2015-12-12). "CIF football: Bellarmine tops Folsom, Milpitas falls, competitive equity works & more". Varsity Extra. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  7. ^ "Bellarmine Names New Varsity Football Head Coach | Bellarmine College Preparatory". www.bcp.org. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  8. ^ "Bellarmine Football: Director of Football Analytics". Bell Online. 2021-04-20. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  9. ^ "Bellarmine College Prep vs Archbishop Mitty | Football | 4/17/2021". www.maxpreps.com. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  10. ^ "San Benito vs Bellarmine College Prep | Football | 4/3/2021". www.maxpreps.com. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  11. ^ "Prep football: Bellarmine-St. Francis postponed after positive COVID tests". The Mercury News. 2021-03-26. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  12. ^ "Bellarmine College Prep vs Central Catholic | Football | 3/19/2021". www.maxpreps.com. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  13. ^ "Valley Christian vs Bellarmine College Prep | Football | 4/10/2021". www.maxpreps.com. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  14. ^ "Bellarmine College Prep vs Saint Francis | Football | 4/24/2021". www.maxpreps.com. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  15. ^ "High school football: Bellarmine stuns Menlo-Atherton, announces its return to prominence". The Mercury News. 2021-08-28. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  16. ^ "High school football: Bellarmine blasts San Leandro, alum Brad Bowers". The Mercury News. 2021-09-11. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  17. ^ "Bellarmine magic: Late TD, interception in end zone on final play keep Bells unbeaten". The Mercury News. 2021-09-18. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  18. ^ "Archbishop Riordan vs Bellarmine College Prep | Football | 9/24/2021". www.maxpreps.com. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  19. ^ "Bellarmine College Prep vs Archbishop Mitty | Football | 10/8/2021". www.maxpreps.com. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  20. ^ "High school football: Bellarmine breaks five-game skid against Valley Christian". The Mercury News. 2021-10-30. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  21. ^ "Bellarmine College Prep vs St. Ignatius | Football | 11/6/2021". www.maxpreps.com. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  22. ^ "Bellarmine College Prep vs Serra | Football | 10/2/2021". www.maxpreps.com. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  23. ^ "Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory vs Bellarmine College Prep | Football | 10/15/2021". www.maxpreps.com. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  24. ^ "CCS football playoffs fall 2021: First-round schedule in all divisions". The Mercury News. 2021-11-07. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  25. ^ "CCS football playoffs: Serra overpowers Bellarmine, sets up St. Francis rematch for title". The Mercury News. 2021-11-21. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  26. ^ "Historical Record of CCS Football Champions Year-by-Year". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
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