Did you know that when one team wins the VFW Memorial Trophy,
the opposing team (read: Gilroy) must walk the trophy across the
field and give it to the victors?
Did you know that when one team wins the VFW Memorial Trophy, the opposing team (read: Gilroy) must walk the trophy across the field and give it to the victors?
This may be a little known fact surrounding the Prune Bowl, since San Benito has won the trophy five years in a row now, and 12 times since 1992.
Due to sheer dominance, the Prune Bowl trophy is rarely walked across the field because the same team (read: San Benito) keeps winning it.
There’s no need for it to cross the field. It’s perfectly comfortable where it is.
And this year, the trophy has found its niche on the San Benito sidelines, and it doesn’t plan on moving anytime soon.
San Benito and Gilroy will square off tonight at 7:30 p.m., and with so much on the line for the ‘Balers, the only time the trophy will be crossing the field is when San Benito is parading around the confines of Andy Hardin Stadium.
Here are five reasons why San Benito will win:
1. San Benito’s playing for more:
Yes, I know, Gilroy is seeking to win their first outright Tri-County Athletic League title since 1981. But they’ve already wrapped up at least a share of the league crown, and are already off to the Central Coast Section playoffs.
San Benito, though, is playing for their playoff lives. With a win, and only with a win, do the Haybalers have a shot at the CCS.
What more do you need?
2. San Benito is streaking right now:
After a tough first half to their season, which resulted in a 1-3 preseason record, San Benito is playing their best football of late.
It may not sound like much, but they’ve scored 65 points in their last nine quarters of play. Granted, those may not be Gilroyan numbers, but we’ll get to why Gilroyan numbers won’t matter in a moment.
The offense is executing so well that even penalties, of which San Benito has had 29 in the last two games, can’t slow them down.
3. Defense wins games:
It’s the ‘Balers’ bread and butter, and it’s the reason why Gilroy won’t be able to score at will like they have in previous games. The Mustangs may allow slightly fewer points on defense (13.4 to 15.0), but that’s just because they run the score up and force teams into uncomfortable situations.
Everyone and their grandmother knows Gilroy will pass. Since the ‘Balers can stop the run in their sleep, they can now devote their time and energy to welcoming Gilroy quarterback Jamie Jensen.
With open arms (to pick off passes), of course.
4. The teacher. The student:
Gilroy coach Rich Hammond is a former ‘Baler player and a former ‘Baler coach. To say he’s learned something from San Benito’s current coaching staff may be the understatement of the year.
You may be wise to go with the student, since he may know all the tricks of the opposing team, as well as a few others he picked up along the way.
But thinking back to my high school days, the teacher is the teacher for a reason.
5. History:
The numbers do not lie. Since the Memorial Trophy was first awarded in 1956, San Benito owns a 29-20-1 advantage. And as I stated before, the ‘Balers have won five in a row and 12 of the last 15.
Many will say this doesn’t matter. Many will say that it’s a brand new ball game this year. Many will say the players weren’t alive back in the 1970s when San Benito dominated (winning 8 of 10 in that decade, for your information), so why does this matter?
Of course, the only people that say history doesn’t matter are those doomed to repeat it (read: Gilroy).
