Cam Costa hoping to lead Bishops to a winning record this season

Cam Costa, like many other Charleston area residents, is a transplant. The Bishop England senior grew up in a certain state up north that draws a lot of notoriety for its residents migrating to the Palmetto State. There has been so much migration that there was, at one time, a website dedicated urging their return: www.gobacktoohio.com.

Costa, who moved from the greater Cleveland area, has heard the jokes, although sometimes he doesn’t quite get the humor.

“It’s kind of funny,” said the senior, who recently earned the starting quarterback job for the Bishops. “Everyone has a reason for moving. But when they find out you are from Ohio, they kind of take it personally.”

Costa’s parents decided to move because of the weather. They had some friends relocate to the Charleston area and decided to make the journey down Interstate 77 to I-26 and the Lowcountry.

Costa was part of last year’s team that went 3-7 and was bounced from the first round of the playoffs. This year, the goals are simple: a winning record, a Region 7-AAA championship and a deep run in the playoffs.

“As a team, we, collectively, have worked hard this summer to turn things around,” Costa said. “Last year, we had a lot of first-year starters after heavy graduation losses the year before. We also had some key injuries and coach (John) Cantey had some health issues. It’s tough when you lose your main man. It wasn’t the season we were hoping for. We want to build the BE program and get it back where it belongs.”

The summer and early fall camp was highlighted by a QB battle between Costa and junior Eddie Marinaro. Both players had unique talents, and in the end, Costa won out. Marinaro, arguably the better runner of the two, will see plenty of action at the skill positions.

What the Bishops get in Costa is a combination of brawn and brains. He’s 6-4 and weighs 220 pounds and has a 4.5 GPA. That’s the stuff leaders are born of. Although captains had not been selected at press time, look for Costa to be a leader because of his size, strength, smarts and talent.

Last year, Costa split time at quarterback and completed 51-of-111 passing for 592 yards and four touchdowns. He said he hasn’t set any individual goals for 2019. His main focus is helping the team rebound from a losing record, one of only three seasons in the red under Cantey, who is in his 12th year as head coach of the Bishops.

Cantey played quarterback for the Bishops in the early 1990s and the team’s quarterback coach, Danny Croghan, quarterbacked the Bishops to their first state championship in 2011.

“Having two quarterbacks as coaches definitely helps a lot,” Costa said. “I know coach Cantey was outstanding and when I got here as a freshman, all I heard was Danny Croghan was the best quarterback in BE history. Now, I will follow in their footsteps. It’s a tough act to follow.”

Costa camped over the summer and developed numerous relationships with Division II coaches.

“If I have a solid season, I would consider playing at the college level,” he said.

And if that happens, the Ohio transplant could matriculate to a college near you.