He played against Bellarmine College Preparatory rival Pat Burrell in both football and baseball.[23] Brady began his football career as the backup quarterback on the Padres junior varsity team. At first, Brady was not good enough to start on the 0–8 JV team, which had not scored a touchdown all year.[24] Brady ascended to the starting position when the starting quarterback was injured. He became the varsity starter in his junior year and held the position until he graduated.[25] By Brady's senior year, he was striving to be noticed by college coaches.