Rickert's 150th career win a little a milestone

When Drew Rickert strolled, well, truly, he hopped, onto the football field at Galt High School to coach his Bradshaw Christian team Friday night, he had no concept a win would be the 150th of his coaching profession at that south Sacramento private school.
Rickert, who has a cast on his left leg and appeared to prefer it sometimes that night, had his team go through the movements against a Warrior team that he knew was terribly undermanned. The Pride won, 70-14, in a game where the entire second half was a running clock.
When Kayson Jones returned the opening kickoff 84 backyards for a goal, Rickert's Pride identified Galt a 6-0 lead. After that, it was all Bradshaw Christian.

Rickert asked his kid and beginning quarterback Ethan to run pass plays every down, other than one, in the first quarter. The Warriors simply weren't all set.
" We knew we might toss the ball real well this year, but we haven't had an opportunity," he discussed. "We constantly run the ball and we get up in the score and we can't throw it, so I chose we're going to come out the very first quarter and throw it a lot. We need to work on that things because we'll probably require it in the playoffs."
The young Rickert tossed 5 touchdown passes in the opening verse, four to Nathan Zippieri and one to David Wiser. It was 37-6, Bradshaw.
In the 2nd quarter, the Pride went into their trademarked tight double-wing formation and ran every down, the trademark of Rickert's offense. Fullback Mateo Mojica scored three touchdowns. Add Roberto Garduno's 35-yard interception return for a goal and it was 63-6 at halftime.
The entire time, following huge plays and touchdowns, the Pride players calmly congratulated each other and went back to the sideline or the huddle, trying not to appear the weaker challenger, something completely unlike most of today's football in-game events and frequent garbage talking. The rage of Rickert would have been on any Bradshaw gamer if they did or do something out of line.
Rickert was, well, Rickert in working the referees, in at least the very first drive or 2 of the video game, offering impassioned comments when penalties weren't called. The side judge on the Pride sideline was none other than -3 news press reporter Mike TeSelle who moonlights as a high school football official on Friday nights. When he heard enough from Rickert, TeSelle tossed a charge flag early in the game.
" I was annoyed since I asked him about a hold and he got mad at me," he discussed. "Then later I asked the umpire to determine and then (TeSelle) threw the flag on me. We spoke about it later on then he was fine."

After the last weapon and shaking of hands with the Warrior group and coaches, Bradshaw athletic director Alex Williams and protective planner Dan Paige got the whole group to collect in front of the visitor's bleachers, generated the parents and Pride fans to give Rickert a cut-crystal trophy commemorating the achievement.
" He was my coach when I played and I am honored by that," Williams said. "The most important thing I can state about Coach Rickert is that the 150 wins isn't about the wins, it's about what these boys imply to him and growing boys and seeing them progress members of society."
A teary-eyed Rickert was overwhelmed by the program of gratitude.
" It's so incredible, I had no concept I 'd won 150," he said. "I didn't know what to say. I look forward going to work.
His child, Ethan, who has actually grown up knowing nothing but Pride football, was similarly as honored.
" I've seen all his 150 wins and growing up around here and now being a part of it is great," he said.
In his now 18 seasons of coaching football at Bradshaw Christian, Rickert has won 5 Sac-Joaquin Section championships, one in Division VII and the others in Division VI. With a strong core of juniors, most with now three years of university experience, there's no factor the Pride will not be a group to beat this year in Div.
" It's pretty special because we have a group of kids, we have only five seniors, however we have this group that's been with us given that Junior Pride," Rickert said. "They are great kids, they strive and it is so unique to see them head out there and prosper."
" And, I get to speak about the Lord to them which's the most significant thing of all."