‘Balers look to increase their ground game against Wilcox
HOLLISTER
The numbers don’t lie.
Through their first two games of the season – a 24-12 loss at Milpitas and a 13-12 victory to Lincoln – the San Benito football team is passing a lot more, almost twice as much when compared to their first two games last season.
With 111 offensive plays already in the books, the ‘Balers have passed 47 percent of the time, compared to 119 offensive plays last season, when they were passing just 24 percent of the time.
Head coach Chris Cameron said the numbers aren’t adding up.
“What we really need to be able to do is establish a running game,” he said. “We don’t have a consistent running game right now, and it is the thorn in our side. We’ve always been known as a physical football team that runs the ball first.”
To date, only one back (Nick Acosta) has lodged double-digit rush attempts in a single game, while the ‘Balers are averaging 2.27 yards per carry.
While the figures suggest they are still running the ball more, the noticeable increase in passing is limiting what the ‘Balers have always been, which is a physical, run-first football team.
Cameron said the offense will scale back in the passing game this week, and will “have a little less in the arsenal.”
“Our pass protection at times has been extremely porous, because there’s confusion,” Cameron said. “We’ve got some confusion going on and we’re not doing the right things, so guys are coming through unblocked when they’re supposed to be blocked.”
For a team like San Benito that is anchored by its defense, a heavy passing attack can sometimes lead to more possessions for the opposition, what with incompletions and clock stoppage, not to mention a fatigued defense, more or less, by the end of regulation.
Running the ball, moving the chains and keeping the clock continuous will certainly be a key for San Benito Friday, as they welcome the Wilcox Chargers to Andy Hardin Stadium at 7:30 p.m.
The Chargers are coming off a 28-21 loss to Terra Nova in which they compiled 64 offensive plays from scrimmage. Although they committed five turnovers – including one inside their 10-yard line – the Chargers’ split-back offense will give the ‘Balers several players to keep an eye on, nonetheless.
Quarterbacked by Cory Murphy, Wilcox has a number of players in the backfield, including right halfback Anthony Pohahua (who’s also their inside linebacker) and left halfback Anthony Herrera.
“He’s a very good player,” Cameron said of Herrera. “He’s the guy – they want him getting the pitch and he runs well inside, too. They’re big up front.
“But turnovers killed them, absolutely killed them. It was the difference in the game.”
Justin Chapman is the top wide receiver for Wilcox, which runs the pro and slot formation. The Chargers also run a double-slot formation with a single back, at which point they’d favor the pass.
“And they’re a big-time option football team,” Cameron added.
San Benito defeated Wilcox last season 13-6 by stuffing offensive threat Patrick Mitchell and holding the Chargers’ attack to a single score.
Mitchell entered that game with a 10-carry, 200-yard performance from the previous week against Terra Nova – in which Wilcox put up 42 points – but was held to just 48 yards on 10 attempts against the ‘Balers.
San Benito will look to do the same Friday against Wilcox’ newest threats: Murphy, Pohahua and Herrera.
“For us to be successful throughout the course of the season, we have to be able to run the football,” Cameron said. “Last year when we played Wilcox … we dominated the line of scrimmage on third-and-short.
“What’s that do? It keeps the clock running, it keeps the chains moving and we get another fresh set of downs. It keeps the defense off the field.”
