For those new to the high school football scene, it may look like one of the state's basketball powerhouses has now found a way to shine on the football field.
But anyone who knows anything about local football history knows there's a lot more to Judge Memorial's football legacy than its recent success.
In fact, one of the most intriguing aspects of the re-emergence of the Bulldog football program is the man at the helm. It is a familiar name to Judge faithful, who are reveling in the recent success of the football team, which will play for the 3A state title against Logan this Friday at 6 p.m.
"I've been getting so many messages on my cell phone, I'm not getting to work calls," said head coach James Cordova, who took over the program five years ago. "Nobody really wanted it, but I asked for it. ... It's a wonderful thing that's happened. People were great to me when I was losing, they've been great to me now that we're winning. ...
"I understand it has very little to do with me and a lot to do with these boys."
Asked what turned the program around so quickly, he said without hesitation, "It's more of a commitment by the kids. We connected to old Judge traditions, and we just try to instill in them to do the best we can. We're never going to the biggest ... but they're just tough kids. I feel extremely fortunate to be part of this."
Cordova, like many who coach at Judge, graduated from the Catholic high school. His father, Gil Cordova, now 69, was the football coach there in the 1960s and '70s, winning three titles of his own. He finished coaching before his son started playing.
The Bulldogs remained a contender in the 4A classification until the late '80s. Judge students and supporters renewed a tradition of walking to the stadium before kickoff.
This recent success, said Judge athletic director Dan Del Porto, "obviously helps the entire feel of the school. Marching up there with the entire student body (for Friday's semifinal) was pretty incredible."
No one is quite sure why the program, which hadn't done the walk since making the finals in 1983, slumped. But moving down to the 3A classification has helped the Bulldogs rebuild the program. With around 840 students, Cordova said it's important that the coaches work together to utilize the school's best athletes. Two basketball starters are key football players. Several girls from the championship soccer team also ran cross country.
"Last year three of my key (basketball players) were also key football players," said legendary basketball coach Jim Yerkovich. "This year there are two starters out there."
"We've done well in a lot of sports because we develop the kids as athletes. "Our coaches support the philosophy that it's best for the kids to play multiple sports.," Del Porto said. "With a school our size, you have to do that to be successful."
Cordova said his father has been on the sideline of every game he's coached since he's been back at Judge.
"We fight football all the time," Cordova said with a laugh. "Actually, having my dad and my son with me has been fantastic."
This Friday the Judge faithful will gather at the school for a pre-game barbecue, and there will likely be a shuttle to the game for those who don't want to make the walk. The one thing all three men understand is that the success on the football field is only part of what makes this appearance in the title game so magical for the Bulldogs.
"This," says legendary basketball coach Jim Yerkovich, "is a great unifying, community-building experience."
E-mail: adonaldson@desnews.com