In a game that didn’t end right for Baler football Friday night,
the mass of supporters
– edgy, loud, heartbroken – showed why it probably won’t be the
last trip to a title game.
San Benito lost the Central Coast Section Division II
Championship 26
–12, but the program’s enduring tradition gleamed, bright red,
throughout the stadium at San Jose City College.
In a game that didn’t end right for Baler football Friday night, the mass of supporters – edgy, loud, heartbroken – showed why it probably won’t be the last trip to a title game.
San Benito lost the Central Coast Section Division II Championship 26–12, but the program’s enduring tradition gleamed, bright red, throughout the stadium at San Jose City College.
“It’s been a dynamite season,” said Hollister’s Rick Wilkinson, as he clapped from the bottom of the bleachers and watched the team accept the second place trophy. “The quarterback, everybody, it’s been dynamite. But it’s just been an off night for us.”
Many people acknowledged it being an unexpected trip to the big game – with last year’s absence from the playoffs, and fielding a sophomore quarterback in Karson Klauer.
“They really came together throughout the football season,” said Paul Graham, whose son Kevin played on the JV team and was moved up for the playoffs. “They started off slow and really improved.”
San Benito fans tightly crammed the Balers’ side of the stadium, as did supporters of the Aptos Mariners in the far distance across the field. And while most Baler fans at Friday’s championship attended games at Andy Hardin Field throughout the season – on this night, the mood shifted, emotions escalated.
More family members watched the game through lenses of video cameras and binoculars. More fans stood and cheered on routine plays. More dads, and moms, yelled at the referees.
“I don’t believe it!” yelled one dad, after a referee failed to call pass interference against Aptos on a third down for the Balers. “You idiot!” hollered another.
From the opening kickoff of the game, which Aptos ran back for a touchdown, it was an up-and-down affair – both emotionally and physically – for the crowd.
Late in the first half when a swarm of Aptos defenders slammed junior running back Francisco Aviles into the turf, and he was carted off the field, an elation turned to deflation. The mood, while Aptos went on to take control of the game, never fully recovered.
“They hurt ‘Junior’ (Aviles),” said Amy Lango, 13, whose brother, Mike, was a senior defensive lineman on the team. “Junior’s the bomb.”
But even facing a tough comeback from that point, the crowd continued its bustling nature. They chanted “Balers, Balers, Balers,” fists pumping and signs waving, as the team walked back on the field for the second half.
With fewer reasons to stand, though, the reality of the night kicked in for most. The highlight became the season as a whole, not one disappointing game.
Mike Sanchez, his voice famous for announcing Baler home games, pointed out the team’s closeness, what he called an extraordinary chemistry.
“I think this is it,” he said, parked on a portable fold-out seat. “The kids get along really well with each other. They protect each other. They consider themselves, almost a brotherhood among all of them. I just love watching the excitement.”
Hollister’s Carrie Arballo is familiar with big games. She said her sons, she has three of them, played on the Baler football team that won the 2000 CCS championship.
“They’re always up here,” Arballo said. “And look at the people that support them. That’s a big part of it, too. This has been going on for the last 30 years, before I had children, I was out here watching our guys play.”
As the crowd filed out of the bleachers, a good 10 minutes after the final whistle, a trio of coaches’ wives slouched together, isolated in the stands.
“You look forward to getting the season over as a football family, and when it finally is over, you feel so bad to see it end,” said Michele Cameron, wife of head coach Chris Cameron. “The kids put so much heart and soul into it.”
Seated next to her was Stefanie Zenk, wife of line coach Steve Zenk, and Luz Thatcher, wife of defensive coordinator Tod Thatcher.
“I just want to thank him for all the time and effort he puts into the kids,” Zenk said of her husband. “He really loves what he does and looks forward to practice every day and working hard.”
The same appreciation from hundreds of other fans Friday, toward the coaches and players, was evident. And so was an anticipation for next season.
Jesse Martinez, father of sophomore linebacker David Martinez – like many fans in a football-crazed town – is anxious for that future.
“I say, next year watch out everybody,” he said.
