One week into the
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second season,
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and the San Benito Haybalers are undefeated.
Salinas – One week into the “second season,” and the San Benito Haybalers are undefeated.
The ‘Balers scored 26 points in the second half, highlighted by a pair of touchdowns from running back Nick Acosta, and kept the Everett Alvarez Eagles winless in their 2007 campaign with a 29-13 victory.
After San Benito struggled through a rough preseason with a 1-3 record, the ‘Balers started their league season on the right foot Saturday in Salinas, and currently own a 1-0 record in the Tri-County Athletic League. Although it wasn’t as easy as the 16-point margin may look, as head coach Chris Cameron said, “It was a great win … It was better than the alternative.”
The ‘Baler win was highlighted by the ground attack, as San Benito racked up 232 rushing yards, 137 in the second half alone. Leading the charge was Abel Jacquez, whose 19 rushes for 117 yards was a season-high for the senior running back, while sophomore Nick Acosta supplied 15 rushes for 66 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
“We have a bye next week, but hopefully the win will carry over to the next week and we’ll get better,” Acosta said. “They were pretty good, but we just came out in the second half and ran all over them.”
Before the second half, however, the ‘Balers trailed 6-3 at halftime, with the only points coming from a 45-yard punt return by Alvarez’ Esau Merino and a 43-yard field goal from San Benito’s Gus Silva.
“I think we came out in the first half not taking them very seriously,” said offensive lineman Zach Johnson. “We expected to run over them and when we didn’t, it jolted us a little bit.”
With the ‘Balers outscoring Alvarez 26-7 in the second half, though, Cameron said it was all business in the locker room at the half.
“There was no inspirational speech,” he said. “There was no Knute Rockne thing … Just business. Do it right.”
San Benito’s defense held the Eagles’ offense in check all game, especially on the ground. With just 87 yards in the air from Eagle quarterback Matt Baker, Alvarez was held to a measly 31 yards rushing.
After junior lineman Sam Doty recovered a fumble by Eagle full back Sean Cooper, setting up a 7-yard touchdown run by Acosta and a 9-6 ‘Baler lead, Alvarez marched down the field to reclaim the lead in just three plays.
Starting from their own 25-yard line, Baker hooked up with receiver Lalo Melesio for five yards, then found Mike Skinner on the right sideline for 44 yards. From there, Merino turned the corner on the left sideline for a 26-yard touchdown, and a 13-9 Eagle lead.
“Our biggest problem is immaturity,” Cameron said. “That leads us to not being able to fire on all cylinders.”
But in the fourth, San Benito caught a break on a punt that netted nine yards for Alvarez, and the ‘Balers capitalized when Acosta pocketed his second touchdown of the day, this time from two yards out.
Silva added a 27-yard field goal to push San Benito’s lead to 19-13, and on the ensuing kickoff, things went from bad to worse for the Eagles.
The kickoff was returned by Jacob Jones who accidentally stepped out of bounds on the 2-yard line. With 98 yards of space in front of them, the Eagles then snapped the ball out of bounds, awarding the ‘Balers with a safety.
But a false start penalty on the Eagles made the safety void. However, on the following play, the Eagles fumbled the ball in the end zone where ‘Baler Michael Murphy fell on it for a touchdown.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Eagles fumbled the ball once again, and Sebastian Cathirell recovered the loose football, eventually setting up a 27-yard field goal by Silva.
The ‘Balers (1-0 TCAL, 2-3 overall), who scored 20 unanswered points in the fourth, will have a bye this week before they return home to battle North Salinas on Oct. 12.
“As tough as our league is, we’re gonna take every win,” said defensive coordinator Tod Thatcher. “We’ll get better and give North Salinas the best game we can.”
Frosh Note: The San Benito Haybalers freshman team lost to Everett Alvarez on Saturday in Salinas 39-15.
“We played better,” coach Randy Logue said. “We did some things better. For whatever reason, we tend to come out not pumped up. We haven’t come out fired up at the start of the game. If we could do that … I think we could be OK.”
The ‘Balers got on the scoreboard when they forced a fumble off a sack, and Zach Rodriguez recovered the ball and ran 40 yards for a touchdown. The extra point by Cody Hendricks was good.
With about six minutes left in the third quarter, San Benito’s Nick Espinoza ran in from 25 yards out on an option play. The two-point conversion was good when Cooper Sepulveda connected with Matt Sanchez to cut the lead to 26-15.
The ‘Balers got the ball back on an onside kick, but the squad would later fumble and turn the ball over.
The ‘Balers will play their home opener on Thursday against Seaside.
