With San Benito High in search of its first victory of the 2003
campaign this Saturday at Alvarez (2 p.m. kickoff), the non-league
matchup brings back memories of the Balers’ meeting with the Eagles
just two years ago.
The date was Sept. 15, 2001, just four days after the tragic
events that occurred back east. A confident bunch of Haybalers, who
already had a win under their belt, were bussed down to Everett
Alvarez High in Salinas to play some football. Most of the games in
the Central Coast Section were canceled in leiu what was fresh on
everyone’s minds at that time.
With San Benito High in search of its first victory of the 2003 campaign this Saturday at Alvarez (2 p.m. kickoff), the non-league matchup brings back memories of the Balers’ meeting with the Eagles just two years ago.
The date was Sept. 15, 2001, just four days after the tragic events that occurred back east. A confident bunch of Haybalers, who already had a win under their belt, were bussed down to Everett Alvarez High in Salinas to play some football. Most of the games in the Central Coast Section were canceled in leiu what was fresh on everyone’s minds at that time.
Not the Baler-Eagles game, unfortunately for the boys from Hollister. In one of the darkest days in Baler head coach Chris Cameron’s tenure, not much went right in a 32-19 loss to a quality Alvarez team. Unofficially, 34 penalties were assessed. Two personal foul calls were called on Nick Buzzetta – the Haybalers’ star quarterback – the second of which ejected him early in the second half with the Balers trailing 26-6. A bad hike on a punt had resulted in an Eagles’ safety. The run-oriented Balers rushed for a modest 142 yards, but 73 had come on a TD run by Armando Larez.
Cameron doesn’t want a repeat of that game when the Balers strap it on this Saturday.
“We’ve always played badly at Alvarez,” Cameron said. “I still have a bad taste in my mouth from that game. It was horrible. I’ve warned the kids about it all week long.”
The Balers (0-1-1) can’t be fooled by an Eagles team which was ambushed by CCS power Valley Christian last week on the road 44-7. Just for that reason alone, the Eagles (0-1) will come out hungry.
“Alvarez is bigger than us,” said Cameron. “They are far superior in size than us. They have a quick running back that’s real good. Their quarterback can pass zing-zang. He can throw the football.”
JoJo Velazquez is the Eagles’ quarterback. The running back Cameron was referring to is Anthony Martinez. Anthony Gonzalez is a hard-nosed fullback/linebacker, whom Eagles head coach Ben Herning calls his “best football player”. Another player the Baler secondary must keep an eye on is receiver Ricardo Vizcaino.
Besides Gonzalez, two of the top defenders for the Eagles are defensive end Anthony Abarrca and defensive tackle Mario Hernandez.
“He’s small, but real quick,” said Herning of Hernandez.
Herning, in his first year, said he was impressed with the Balers in their 16-0 defeat to Valley Christian. Going by comparative scores, San Benito should have an edge going into Saturday’s game.
“The most important thing to me is Valley Christian 16, Hollister nothing,” said Herning, who used to assist Norm Dow at Live Oak a few years back. “That tells me all I need to know.”
Herning wouldn’t talk much about Baler personnel.
“They do a lot of faking in the backfield,” said Herning. “We have to find out who has the ball. Chris (Cameron) does a great job with that program. I’m sure he’s not happy what happened to his team last season.”
The Balers went 4-5-1, its one tie was against Alvarez at Andy Hardin Field.
Baler defensive coordinator Tod Thatcher is concerned about a defense which broke down at crucial times in last Friday’s 21-21 tie at Wilcox.
“We definitely took a step back last week,” said Thatcher. “I thought we played well defensively against Valley Christian. We were flat and missed assignments against Wilcox. We need to get after it this game.”
Offensively, Jonathan Lopez returns at right guard after sitting out last week with an injury. However, starting right tackle Cameron Murray won’t play due to an injury and is out indefinitely. Andres Olmos, a good special teams player, is also out this Saturday because of an injury. Oscar Correa or Ryan Dunn will take Murray’s spot in the lineup.
The Balers have a bye the following week before a non-league contest at powerful Seaside on Oct. 3.
