For the second-consecutive year, the Balers will open their football season against an opponent that is coming off a deep playoff run the year before. After being overwhelmed with the speed of Palo Alto a year ago, San Benito will open its 2012 season at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Andy Hardin Stadium against 2011 Division II finalist Pioneer.
The San Jose school enters the year with high expectations, returning 17 players, including starting quarterback Drew Fryhoff. San Benito returns only a few starters from last year’s Tri-County Athletic League championship team, but it will bring back most of its defensive secondary, along with running back Zak Hicks and quarterback Josh George.
San Benito head coach Chris Cameron expects the season opener to be a physical contest between the two strong Central Coast Section teams.
“They were a playoff team,” Cameron said. “ They have good backs, really good, tough running backs. They run a lot of things really well … They are going to be coached really well.”
It will be a tough but good competition for the Balers early in the season, as San Benito works to replace nearly six starters on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.
“We are going to find out if they can do it or not,” Cameron said. “The practice part has been done and done. It’s time to see if we can do it. It’s a good challenge for us.”
Along with talent, Pioneer brings experience down to Hollister.
“It’s going to be a good football game,” Cameron said. “They are going to come down here ready to play. They are going to be well coach. They have some pride, they know what it is like to play in some big games. A lot of kids returning know what it is like to play in a section championship game – a game that went down to the wire in the fourth quarter.”
In the season’s first contest, Cameron is looking to see his team compete and execute against a good opponent.
“I would like to see us play real physical on the offensive side of the ball,” he said. “Plant some people on the ground. Execute what we are supposed to do. Defensively, we need to execute our gameplan. We need to put hats on the ball.”
