Pounding out yards, victories

BARRY FAULKNER

Posing side-by-side for the camera as childhood chums, the pictures

of Bubba Kapko and Mike Cahill that appear in the Estancia High

football program are difficult to view without chuckling.

But for defenders who see the pair of 230-pound seniors stationed

together in the Eagles’ backfield, the image is anything but

humorous. Horrific, in fact, may be a better term.

Kapko, a hard-charging fullback, and Cahill, a surprisingly nimble

colossus of a tailback, have become hefty but heroic figures in the

Eagles’ 3-1 start this fall, a marked improvement from Estancia’s

combined 1-18 record the previous two seasons.

And while they also sparkle at linebacker, their role as unlikely

offensive catalysts is clearly their most striking contribution to

the team’s success.

Cahill, in his first season at tailback -- though he carried 15

times for 63 yards last season as a part-time fullback -- produced a

career-high 92 yards on 14 carries in the Eagles’ 35-30

come-from-behind, Golden West League-opening win at Ocean View Friday

night. Included in that performance was a serpentine 32-yard

touchdown run that illustrated the stylistic difference between the

two burly ball carriers. Cahill’s offensive playing time, enhanced by

the injury troubles of junior David Moreno, has produced 223 rushing

yards on 43 carries, as well as a team-leading 11 receptions, for an

additional 84 yards.

“I have a few more moves than [Kapko], but not much,” Cahill said

when asked to compare the two.

Kapko’s “style” is more demolition than deception, as he showed on

two fourth-quarter touchdown runs that helped the Eagles erase a 30-7

deficit against the Seahawks. After bulling 8 yards to paydirt, then

hammering over the goal line for a two-point conversion with 4:23

left to bring the Eagles within 30-22, the Eagles scored on a 78-yard

pass with 2:02 left to pull to within 30-28. The attempted two-point

conversion run was stuffed, but the Eagles recovered a fumble three

plays later to take possession at the Ocean View 25.

After Cahill rumbled for 7 yards and Brad Young passed to Ryan

Sanford for 16 more, Kapko capped the comeback by thundering through

a hole on the right side for the game-winning touchdown with 17

seconds remaining.

“When Bubba gets the ball on the goal line, he can just run over

people,” Cahill said. “I’m blocking for him, but when I see him go by

me and run over a second guy that is unblocked, I just say ‘Wow!’

He’s the type of back who can run through guys and not go down.”

Kapko, who led the team with 375 rushing yards and six touchdowns

as a junior, has a team-best 338 rushing yards and six TDs this

season. He has also caught one pass for 7 yards.

While Cahill also possesses enough power to propel himself through

a pile, his familiarity with the finesse of the skill positions --

having played quarterback in flag football before high school --

often helps him take a more circuitous route through the defense.

“We both joke around about being fat running backs, basically,

glorified linemen,” Kapko said. “I love getting the ball and I love

running with it. But it’s fun even watching [Cahill] get a good run

with the ball.”

Cahill, best friends with Kapko through childhood, said the two

miss few opportunities to kid one another about their individual

techniques.

“We joke with each other when we’re watching [videotape of

games],” Cahill said. “If I put my head down to take on a tackler,

he’ll say ‘What, are you trying to be like me?’ And if he tries to

put a move on someone, I say he’s trying to be like me. It’s kind of

funny.”

Cahill and Kapko had plenty of fun together growing up, with a

history that dates back to kindergarten.

“People used to think we were brothers when we rode our bikes

together to school,” Kapko said.

Added Cahill, “We did a lot of cool stuff [including the

aforementioned flag football alliance, with Kapko as Cahill’s center,

Cub Scouts and more]. “In fourth grade, I used to go over to his

house every day after school and we would watch the movie ‘Tommy

Boy.’ We both identified with [the portly protagonist, played by the

late Chris Farley], because we were both a couple of porker kids.”

The two grew apart somewhat as they headed into high school and

the relationship took another hit when Cahill transferred to Mater

Dei, where he spent his sophomore year.

But, Kapko was among those most happy about Cahill’s surprise

return to Estancia the first day of preseason practice last fall, and

Cahill has rejoined a close group of senior football buddies, of

which Kapko is a charismatic leader.

Kapko said Cahill’s obsessive work ethic, particularly in the

weight room, helped lay a foundation the entire team has rallied

around this fall. And, with first-year coach Craig Fertig and his

staff adding instruction and motivation, the members of the “Tommy

Boy backfield” are enthusiastic about the team’s six remaining

regular-season games.

“Friday night was the greatest feeling I’ve had in a long time,”

Cahill said. “It’s just so great to be accomplishing things and

overcoming obstacles with kids you’ve grown up with.”