Galippo took play to another level

Chris Galippo and his Servite football teammates are self-proclaimed video game junkies.

The game of choice is "NCAA Football '07."

"I'm unbeatable if I have 'SC, it's not happening" said Galippo, who has committed to USC.

Galippo concedes that Friars offensive lineman Matt Kalil, who also has committed to USC, is the "master of the XBox," but only because he owns the XBox.

Galippo, Kalil and D.J. Shoemate have been friends since they were 8 and 9 years old, and teammates ever since they played Jr. All-American football. Their video game wars are the stuff of legend. They wager meals, house- cleaning duties and anything else they can think of. Kalil made Galippo make him a steak after a recent XBox triumph. "Slave for a day" is a wager of choice.

"We can get more competitive playing video games sometimes than we are playing football," Galippo said.

Galippo's play on the field throughout his career at Servite made it seem like he was playing a video game because he was at another level.

For the second consecutive season, Galippo is the Register's Defensive Player of the Year.

He put up XBox-like statistics. His speed, quickness and power made him a nightmare for opposing coaches. He delivered bone-jarring, highlight hits on a weekly basis.

The Trinity League coaches had nothing but respect and awe for Galippo. And they are glad to see him graduate.

"I think in the 14 years I've been at Orange Lutheran he's the finest linebacker I've seen play," Lancers coach Jim Kunau said.

"Galippo is by far the best defender we ever faced," Santa Margarita coach Mike Jacot said.

"I watched a kid grow and develop from a talented sophomore who was a little out of control at times to a highly focused, highly physical senior who had an outstanding 2006 season," Mater Dei coach Bruce Rollinson said.

This season was more of a challenge than last for Galippo because every team he played against was squarely on not letting him be the difference.

"This year, with so many people scheming around me and running away from me, it was really frustrating," Galippo said. "Once league came I started getting my rhythm, and that's when I really started performing."

Galippo, a 6-foot-2, 230-pound linebacker, finished with 98 total tackles, seven sacks, 20 tackles for losses, one interception, two caused fumbles and five blocked kicks.

In one game against St. John Bosco of Bellflower, he had 15 tackles, four sacks and three blocked kicks.

"I don't know how one guy can do all that," Kalil said. "I think the reason for his success is because when he is off the field he works his butt off. He watches film, studies it and looks for ways that he can make himself better. I think that's a big part of his success."

Another challenge for Galippo this season was playing both offense and defense. Shoemate, who was the Serra League's Offensive Player of the Year in 2005, went down with a season-ending leg injury in the season opener. That meant Galippo went from being used sparingly on offense to a significant role. There were times he didn't even come off the field.

"Once D.J. was out and we lost that first game, it was kind of like a reality check," Galippo said. "We all took a step back realized this is what we are going to have to do. We're not going to waste our senior season because one of our guys went down. I think we rallied pretty well."

Galippo rushed for 354 yards and three touchdowns on 48 carries and had 25 catches for 297 yards and three touchdowns.

Servite ended up with an overall record of 8-4. The Friars went 4-1 to win a share of the Trinity League title and they advanced to the quarterfinals in the CIF-SS Pac-5 playoffs. One of the victories Galippo is most proud of is the 28-21 double-overtime victory over Orange Lutheran in league play. The Lancers went on to win the Pac-5 title and the Division II state championship.

"If we had D.J., without a doubt, I think we would have been the state champions," Galippo said. "I mean, we beat the state champions. We were the only team to beat the state champions, and that shows you what we could do."

Galippo said he is looking forward to playing at USC. He will be joined at USC by Orange Lutheran quarterback Aaron Corp and defensive end Michael Reardon and Edison lineman Martin Coleman. Galippo competed against all those players throughout his high school career and he said he knows how talented they are.

He has another goal when he gets to USC.

"I'll be on 'NCAA '08' next year," Galippo said, "so I'm sure that will be my favorite (video game)."