n By NATHAN MIXTER Sports Editor
Gilroy – San Benito lost 38-20 at Gilroy on Friday. Gilroy (6-0, 1-0 TCAL) was up 26-0 at the half, and Hollister (2-4, 0-1 TCAL) never could rebound.
“The challenge was to do one thing positive,” said coach Frank Perez, after his team failed to move the ball past the 50-yard line in the first half. “In our case, we didn’t play the first 20 minutes of the game. But Gilroy is a solid team.”
Chad Kakebeen kicked an onside kick that the Haybalers recovered.
The ball took a good bounce, and San Benito recovered it at about the 40-yard line after Gilroy couldn’t field it cleanly.
Kevin Medieros scored from about 15 yards out to end the drive.
San Benito scored two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Joey Covey ran a veer option for a touchdown from about 20 yards out, and Able Jacquez scored the final TD about five yards out.
The Balers had a bye week after defeating Alvarez.
“Sometimes those bye weeks are good, but it took the wind out of our sails,” Perez said. “It was good because we are a small team. Many of the guys have been playing both ways and needed rest. That was the only game we have started off well. The other games have taken a quarter or half to get going.”
Frosh football
The San Benito High freshman football team also fell behind early against Gilroy, who was up 20-0 at half.
San Benito (3-3, 0-1 TCAL) had a touchdown called back because of a holding penalty.
“We got to figure out how to get the kids to come out strong,” said coach Randy Logue. “When you’re losing, you got to simplify. We’re trying to get back to what helped us win 3 of 4 games. We could finish 7-3 or 3-7 depending on how they respond.”
The Balers received solid play from outside linebacker Miles Sanchez. Inside linebacker Richard Perez played in the second half after returning from an injury.
Quarterback Zach Canez did a good job on offense, said Logue, who hopes to get the ball in his hand more often.
One positive note is that 50 of the 104 players on the JV and varsity teams are on the honor roll with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, Louge said.
The Balers were coming off a loss to Sobrato.
