Last year, San Benito lost 16-0 against Valley Christian then
went on to the Division 2 championship game.
San Jose – Last year, San Benito lost 16-0 against Valley Christian then went on to the Division 2 championship game.
But this year in the opener at Valley Christian Saturday, the Haybalers had a little bit bigger wake-up call in a 41-0 loss. Valley Christian handed the Haybalers their worst loss in recent history.
It was just the fifth shutout dating back to 2000. But three of them have come at the hands of the Warriors, including a 38-0 loss two years ago. The last time San Benito has given up 41 points in a game was in the 41-20 loss at Palma Nov. 15, 2002.
San Benito was ranked 23rd coming in to the game, while Valley Christian was ranked 12th in Northern California by CalHiSports.
Mistakes haunted the Balers all day Saturday. If it wasn’t a missed assignment, it was a fumble or interception.
“We had some kids who I don’t think played up to their potential,” said Baler coach Chris Cameron. “Everything we worked on in practice just went right out the window. That’s a sign of immaturity.”
San Benito had just four first-down conversions and didn’t pick up any in the second half. The Warriors had more than 400 yards on total offense, while San Benito had less than 100
“It’s a tough way to start the season,” said senior Colin Parker. “We’re a championship caliber team, but we didn’t play like it.”
The Haybalers’ best chance to score in the game came after Art Esparza had a kick sail more than 60 yards late in the third quarter.
The Warriors weren’t expecting a kick that deep and were playing way up. The ball was downed on the six-yard line.
Quarterback Dante Perez, who was 7 for 8 for 180 yards, fell on a lose ball after a fumbled snap for a loss of three yards. But the Warriors quickly gained some breathing room like they did all day. J.R. Adams had a 14-yard run to break up any hopes of a defensive touchdown.
Valley Christian came out running with a compete ground attack to go up 7-0 after winning and deferring the coin toss. The runs weren’t that long, but the Warriors consistently gained ground, averaging about five yards per carry. The drive was highlighted by a two-yard run by Mike Ginther.
“They must have ran that full dive on the week side about 20 times,” Cameron said. “They pounded it in there.”
San Benito quarterback Karson Klauer, who was 7-for-13 for 55 yards, was picked off on the next drive. After two plays and 49 seconds later, the Warriors went up 14-0 after a 57-yard run by Adams.
Adams ran the ball in from one yard out to give the Warriors their third touchdown with 9:54 left before halftime.
“We came out flat to start the game,” said senior defensive back Jeff Hawks. “We picked it up a little in the second quarter but we were still flat at halftime. We got to keep the emotion up.”
The Warriors had a chance to go up by four touchdowns but were not able to capitalize after a fumble by Gabe Gaitan, who was San Benito’s leading rusher with 43 yards on seven carries.
“They came out and wanted it more,” Gaitan said. “We practiced hard, but we just didn’t execute.”
Valley Christian resumed its dominance in the second half, scoring on a 67-yard completion after several missed Baler tackles and then on a 16-yard touchdown reception.
The Warriors capped off the scoring in the fourth quarter with a one-yard run.
“I didn’t think we played up to our level,” Cameron said. “We made stupid penalties that a good football team doesn’t make. It’s time to learn from the mistakes and clean up the game from a disciplinary aspect.”
The Balers did have some good news this week. Senior linebacker Anthony Vasquez and junior defensive lineman Vinny Sardam, both returning players, were cleared to play after suffering injuries earlier this season in this week’s game against visiting San Lorenzo Valley Friday.
JV
Carlos Ramos stepped up and intercepted the first play of the game on a slant route. But the JV team also was not able to contain the quicker Valley Christian defenders.
Team Stats
1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final
San Benito 0 0 0 0 0
Valley Christian 14 7 14 6 41
1st Quarter
Ginther 2-yard touchdown run (Hansen Kick), 4:43
Valley Christian 7-0
Adams 57-yard touchdown run (Hansen Kick), 2:09
Valley Christian 14-0
2nd Quarter
Adams 1-yard touchdown run (Hansen Kick) 9:54
Valley Christian 21-0
3rd Quarter
Maher 67-yard touchdown from Perez (Hansen Kick), 10:34
Valley Christian 28-0
Ahmed 16-yard touchdown from Perez (Hansen Kick),5:53
Valley Christian 35-0
4th Quarter
Gallardo 1-yard touchdown run (failed 2-point conversion), 4:42
Valley Christian 41-0
Individual Stats
San Benito
Rushing
Gaitan 7 for 43, Brigantino 4 for 4, Ross 1 for -1, Klauer 6 for -8,
Passing
Klauer 7 for 13 for 55 yards, 0 touchdowns, 1 interceptions
Receiving
Gonzalez 4 for 23, Esparza 1 for 21, Lango 1 for 9, Gaitan for 2 yards,
Valley Christian
Rushing
Adams 14 for 144 and 2 touchdowns, Ginther 12 for 56 and 1 touchdown,
Gallardo 8 for 34 and 1 touchdown, Nilmeyer 5 for 11, Gonzalez 2 for 4, Decker 1 for 2, Hopkins 1 for 1, Perez 5 for -16 yards
Passing
Perez 7 for 8 for 180 yards, 2 touchdowns, 0 interceptions
Receiving
Maher 2 for 108 and 1 touchdown, Bradford 1 for 18, Ahmed 1 for 16 and 1 touchdown, Hopkins 1 for 13, Aguilera 1 for 13, Adams 1 for 12
