The Haybaler mascot danced up a storm during halftime of Friday
night’s football game between Valley Christian and host San Benito.
It boogied and grooved and even executed
”
The Worm
”
on the scaffolding in front of the large grandstand as the home
folks went wild.
The Haybaler mascot danced up a storm during halftime of Friday night’s football game between Valley Christian and host San Benito. It boogied and grooved and even executed “The Worm” on the scaffolding in front of the large grandstand as the home folks went wild.
After a disappointing 2002, the worm may have turned for the Haybaler footballers. Even though the Balers were blanked by the Warriors for the second straight year, losing this one 16-0, there was much to give for hope for a successful 2003 season. The Warriors are ranked No. 1 in the Central Coast Section and 17th in the state. A 16-point defeat to a club the quality of Valley Christian (1-0), one of the favorites to win the West Coast Athletic Leaugue, is nothing to be ashamed about.
“We played hard and we played physical,” said Haybaler head coach Chris Cameron. “The defense didn’t get pushed around too badly. We had some short fields to work with.”
The Balers (0-1) had the ball in a ‘short field’ situation when Colin Parker recovered a fumbled punt on the Warriors’ 17-yard line with 4:55 left to play. A Baler TD and a two-point conversion would have cut the score in half and kept a possibility for a tie alive with another eight points.
But, the Balers, who were beset by penalties much of the evening, went backwards on three consecutive procedure calls. Baler starting quarterback Karson Klauer, who was making his varsity debut, sandwiched two incompletions around a three-yard pass to Alex Gonzalez. With 3:02 left and facing a fourth-and-22, the Balers punted the ball away.
“We were hoping for another Warriors mistake,” said Baler offensive coordinator Rick Dukes. “We thought it was our best chance. We didn’t get it. We weren’t giving up. Penalties killed us.”
The Balers were penalized 12 times for 70 yards, not helping their cause. Two of the penalties seemed unwarranted, though. Two plays after a quick whistle on a possible Warriors fumble would have put the ball back to midfield, the Warriors were called for holding. While the penalty was being marched off, a flag was given to the Baler brass for standing on the field as they discussed the situation. Another flag came down for a non-profane retort from a Baler assistant. The ball ended up on the Balers’ 13 yard-line.
Cameron was fairly livid about the entire scenario and had some choice words for the head official after the game.
The Baler defense stood its ground after all the confusion, but the result was a 35-yard field goal by Willie Pierson. The Warriors were short on an earlier attempt from 40 yards out. A 32-yard effort by Valley Christian on the first play of the second quarter was blocked by the Balers Ty Doty.
A facemask penalty by the Balers aided the Warriors first score. Dominique Hunsacker went eight yards to the Balers’ 17-yard line. Valley Christian Kevin Jurovich dropped back and found Ryan Chulick at the goal line for a TD with 1:02 left in the first.
Michael Lo Presti burst 21 yards from the Warriors’ 41. A five-yard facemask penalty was tacked on. J.R. Adams went up the middle for 23 more yards to the Baler 10. Lo Presti went eight yards, then Adams the final two for 13-0 Valley Christian at 7:18 in the second. The extra point attempt failed.
Meanwhile, the Baler offense was struggling. There was a pretty good reason, though. Warriors defensive end Jeff Schweiger, one of the most sought after players in the West, was busy dominating the game out of his two-point stance.
“No. 5 killed us,” said Cameron, speaking of Schweiger. “He’s the best player I’ve seen since Pat Tillman when he played at Leland. His motor goes all the time. He plays physical every down. In about four of five years, you’ll probably see him playing on Sundays.”
“He broke down all of our plays,” said Klauer. “He was amazing.”
Klauer played well for his first varsity game, running for 40 yards on 10 carries and completing 7-of-16 passes for 69 yards. He had one interception, which happened to be his first pass attempt of the night. Credit the Warriors Lamarr Hunt for making a fine play.
“I saw him,” said Klauer. “I should have thrown it out there farther. He cut right in front of our receiver.”
The Balers, who deferred after winning the coin toss, took the ball from their own 40 after a short Warriors kick. Klauer ran for seven yards, then Manny Hinojos broke through a gaggle of tacklers for 12 more. On first-and-15 from the Warriors 46, Klauer hit a receiver for a 21-yard gainer. The ball was jarred loose, however, and Andre Pittman recovered on the costly turnover.
“Karson played a good game for his first game,” said Cameron. “Considering the caliber of the opponent, he played brilliantly. Kenny Romero played well in the secondary, the first time he has ever played there, and Ryan Dunn played the whole game at center in place of Nick Kostielney, who was hurt.”
Kostielney and free safety Danny Libed, also injured, are expected to play when the Balers travel to Wilcox of Santa Clara Friday as the non-league schedule continues.
Baler bits: The game was delayed 15 minutes because a Valley Christian fan suffered a heart attack near the concession stand at approximately 7:10 p.m. Fire and ambulance were called and he was whisked away to Hazel Hawkins Hospital. An announcement was made over the loud speakers late in the game that the man was all right…..Total yardage was near even. The Warriors had an advantage of 200-165…..Jurovich finished 4-9 for 48 yards.
JV result: Valley Christian 34, Balers 6. The game was a little closer than the score indicated with the Warriors breaking it open in the second half. Jeffrey Weltz had a beautiful run of about 40 yards for the Balers’ only score. Eric Martin Del Campo recovered a fumble for the Balers.
