SALINAS – The blocking was crisp at the point-of-attack for San
Benito High Saturday at Alvarez and the stable of Baler backs made
the proper cuts for good chunks of yardage. And the Baler defensive
front seven shut down any semblance of an Eagles running
attack.
Throw in sophomore quarterback Karson Klauer’s best performance
to date and the result was a 34-12 methodical rout for the Balers,
who chalked up their first win of the season. A much-needed one at
that.
SALINAS – The blocking was crisp at the point-of-attack for San Benito High Saturday at Alvarez and the stable of Baler backs made the proper cuts for good chunks of yardage. And the Baler defensive front seven shut down any semblance of an Eagles running attack.
Throw in sophomore quarterback Karson Klauer’s best performance to date and the result was a 34-12 methodical rout for the Balers, who chalked up their first win of the season. A much-needed one at that.
Are happy days here again?
“It was just one win,” said Baler head football coach Chris Cameron, whose Balers are now 1-1-1. “We beat a solid club (today).”
The Eagles (0-2) had some beef along the line and at fullback with Anthony Gonzalez. Gonzalez, a fair-sized load, totaled 52 bulldog yards on 15 carries. However, three other Eagles runners rushed for minus-9 yards, giving the Eagles just 43 yards rushing for the game, a major factor.
Two Haybaler turnovers yielded nine points as upstart Alvarez went up 9-0 early in the second period. A 41-yard punt return by the Balers Kenny Romero, which put the ball at the Eagles 19, got the Balers kickstarted. Gabe Gaitan, who had 48 yards on seven carries, swept right for nine yards. Three plays later, Klauer snuck over from a yard out for the Balers’ first tally of the game and his first TD of his embryonic varsity prep career.
San Benito completed a nine-play drive before the half. Chris Brigantino, who hadn’t had much room to run in the first two games of the season, found a hole for 11 yards to the Baler 48. Gaitan gained 13 yards on another sweep and would have had more, but he slipped to the turf with no one around him. Nick Bailey forged ahead for nine yards and Francisco Aviles cranked out a tough 15-yard run as the Balers were on the march.
On third-and-goal at the nine, Klauer hit Breyon Canez in the end zone on a deep slant pattern. Canez had skillfully filtered behind the Eagles corner, who anticipated the play and went for an interception. Canez, like Klauer a sophomore, sprawled to the ground and made a sensational catch.
“Breyon made a great adjustment on that play,” said Klauer.
The Balers took the second half kickoff and peeled off a 10-play drive to take control at 20-9. Brigantino powered over from one-yard out.
A Chris Stephens interception at the Eagles 35 set up the next Baler score. This drive took all of three plays as Klauer found Romero in the back corner of the end zone for a 20-yard scoring strike. Klauer added a third TD pass with 6:12 remaining when the tenacious Chris Uribe caught a six-yard out pass, broke a tackle and ran the final 12 yards.
The Balers’ last touchdown of the day was set up by Romero’s 55-yard kickoff return to the Eagles 42.
All-in-all, nine different backs ran the ball for San Benito, amassing 205 yards. For the day, Klauer was 8-13 for 93 yards and the three scores. Most importantly, for the second straight game, he incurred no interceptions.
“The offensive line played great,” said Klauer. “And, hopefully, we’ll pass the football more.”
Alvarez head coach Ben Herning said the game was won between the tackles.
“Hollister was more disciplined than we were,” said Herning. “They beat us up front. That’s what won the ballgame.”
The Baler defensive front seven, led by nosetackle Mike Lango and supported by Stephens and fellow backers Alex Diaz, Anthony Vasquez and Tim Martinez, had their best game of the year.
“We were a family (today),” said Vasquez. “We wanted to try to get the better of them at the line of scrimmage and get physical with them.”
The Balers now have two weeks to prepare for a physical Seaside team. The Balers, who are idle this week, travel to Seaside on Oct. 3.
Baler bits: Jeff Hawks had a late interception for San Benito. The two INT’s were the team’s first of the year….Despite the interceptions, JoJo Velasquez had a fine day passing for the Eagles, going 17-28 for 136 yards…..Sophomore Ryan Dunn started in place of Cameron Murray at right tackle. Murray is hopeful to return for Seaside.
JV score: The Baler JV’s also garnered their first win, outlasting Alvarez 21-14. Isaiah Zamorez, Kevin Medeiros and Matt Ramirez scored for the Balers (1-2). D.J. Lujan recovered an Alvarez onside kick late in the game.
“We let up at the end,” said Baler coach Frank Perez. “We need to learn to play all four quarters.”
Frosh result: San Benito 12, Alvarez 12. Tim Lango had an 85-yard reception for the Balers.
