Cardinal Newman absolutely dominated their season opener with a 37-6 rout of the Seahawks, a victory that felt like it was written in the stars, or maybe, in the flip of a special coin. Maurita Budnyk, the late coach Sam Budnyk’s wife, was right there on the field named in his honor for the commemorative coin flip. Even though Community School of Naples won the toss, that moment, with Maurita holding a coin etched with “CN” and “SB RIP COACH,” set the tone for a game that honored a legend in the best possible way.
The Rout Was On, A Coach Budnyk Special
Talk about coming out swinging! Five plays into the game, Cardinal Newman wide receiver Justin Barerra was already weaving through the defense for a touchdown, snagging a Pedro Martinez pass that just screamed “this is our night!” It was a full-on rout from there, a commanding 37-6 win to kick off their Class 1A state title defense. Cardinal Newman coach Jack Daniels nailed it after the game: “We came out here and played the way coach Budnyk would have wanted tonight, except the penalties.” You gotta love that honesty, but man, what a performance. This wasn’t “just a football game,” as the public address announcer put it; it was a powerful tribute that couldn’t have gone any better.
A Legacy That Echoes Through Generations
The celebration of Sam Budnyk, who passed away on July 17 at 92, was more than just a pre-game ceremony. Cardinal Newman waited over a month to give this man his due, with a tribute that started more than two hours before kickoff. The cafeteria transformed into a full-on museum of his life and career, with reminders of his 46 years at the school, starting way back in 1961. He was a coach, athletic director, teacher, mentor, the whole nine yards. Plaques for over 25 Coach of the Year awards, newspaper articles, game programs dating back to ’61, state softball championship trophies from ’81, ’82, and ’83,Maurita said there are even more at home! Ed McGann, a captain from the program’s first undefeated team in 1970, summed it up perfectly: “This is quintessential coach. Coach had such an impact on all our lives.” Tom Flynn, a 1975 graduate and the first Cardinal Newman football player to get a scholarship to Notre Dame, straight up called Budnyk “the most influential person” in his life. Flynn credits Budnyk for playing with Joe Montana, being on the ’77 championship team, and even getting his law and MBA degrees from Notre Dame. That’s not just coaching; that’s changing lives.
What a way to kick off the season and honor a true legend. Cardinal Newman’s dominant performance was the perfect tribute, setting the stage for what they hope will be another Class 1A state title run. That’s what happens when you play for more than just the scoreboard; you play for the legacy.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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