The 2005 Prune Bowl against the 3-2 Gilroy Mustangs could make
or break Hollister’s season
Hollister – When the lights go on tonight at Hollister’s Andy Hardin Stadium, there will be much more on the line than just bragging rights between two historic rivals.
The Haybalers (2-3) and the Mustangs (3-2) are both teams that desperately need a victory to start out the Tri-County Athletic League season.
“It’s big for bragging rights in terms of the two schools and the two towns,” said SBHS head football coach Chris Cameron. “But to me, the broader picture is, it’s league time now. We’re competing within the league and we want to be in a position where we can play that 10th game of the season and have it mean something.”
Hollister has yet to win two in a row this season while Gilroy is coming off back-to-back losses. The Mustangs fell to San Lorenzo Valley, a team that Hollister defeated 28-21 in week two, by a final score of 40-41 in week four. In its last game, Gilroy fell to Oakland Tech 17-26 despite putting up 284 yards of total offense.
Should they lose tonight in the TCAL opener and fall to 3-3 overall on the year, the Mustangs would be looking at a very tough beginning to their league season as the Palma Chieftains come to town on October 21 for what should be another tough game for Gilroy.
For the Haybalers, all of the preseason games against some of California’s best programs were meant to prepare them for what begins tonight the 2005 TCAL campaign and another run at a league championship.
The defense is primed, as was evident in last Friday’s 28-14 win over San Luis Obispo. In that game, Hollister’s defensive unit held running back Stuart Hill, who was coming off two-straight games in which he rushed for 200-plus yards to go over the 800-yard mark on the season, to just 51 yards on 21 carries.
The ‘Baler offense also seemed to get into an efficient groove in the team’s win over the Tigers. Running back Jeff Weltz pounded out 72 yards on 10 carries for a touchdown, Tim Lango came through with some crucial power runs and quarterback Karson Klauer came through when it counted by hitting Jason Ramirez for a 33-yard touchdown reception to take the lead in the fourth quarter.
“We’ve obviously got some momentum, Cameron said. “But we didn’t go out and win the Super Bowl or anything so we have to put that win behind us now and look ahead. It’s better to come out of the preseason with a win as opposed to another loss but our sights are set on Gilroy.
