‘San Benito wins physical battle over Trojans; 33-6 victory
leaves team alone in second
Hollister – With fireworks in the sky at halftime and a capacity crowd eager for a big Homecoming victory, the San Benito football team delivered, lighting up Alisal to the tune of a 33-6 rout at Andy Hardin Stadium on Friday.
Behind a textbook smash-mouth display on both sides of the ball, the ‘Balers (6-2, 3-1 TCAL) rebounded from a difficult loss to Palma with their most complete showing of the season. Couple with Gilroy’s 14-0 loss to Palma, San Benito assumed sole possession of second place in the Tri-County Athletic League with the victory.
“It’s really important coming back from the down of the loss,” ‘Balers head coach Chris Cameron said. “We got back on the horse and took care of business.”
After two tough defenses ruled the early stages, San Benito quarterback Ronnie Fhurong jump-started his team’s offense by faking a handoff to fullback Tim Lango and rolling right for a 43-yard scamper to end the first quarter. Three plays later, ‘Balers wing back Jordan Klindt bounced off Alisal defensive lineman Julio Garcia and ran 6 yards for touchdown and a 7-0 lead.
When Fhurong found wideout Carlos Ramos for an 18-yard touchdown reception on San Benito’s next possession, the hosts took control with a 13-0 lead, but kept their focus knowing the Trojans (5-3, 2-2 TCAL) overcame a 22-0 deficit to ruin Gilroy’s Homecoming last week.
Alisal used a 16-yard run on a fake punt just before halftime to set up its only score, an Andrew Lopez-to-David Alejo jump-ball touchdown.
Behind a nine-play, 80-yard drive to start the third quarter that culminated in Fhurong’s second touchdown pass – a 15-yarder to Abel Jacquez – the ‘Balers showed the Trojans they were intent on closing them out.
San Benito’s defense allowed just three first downs in the second half in another standout performance. Linebacker Chad Kakebeen forced a fumble that defensive lineman Sam Doty recovered and returned 12 yards, setting up Levi Sutton’s touchdown in the waning minutes.
Fhurong enjoyed his best all-around game, throwing for 119 yards and two touchdowns on 5-of-11 passing, while also running for 62 yards and a score. Lango rushed 15 times for 82 yards.
Trojans running back Jason Taylor pounded away for 61 yards on 16 carries, but his team managed just 143 total yards.
Alisal head coach Sunil Smith said the ‘Balers won the game in the trenches. “This is the hardest-hitting team I’ve seen since I’ve been coaching,” said Smith, a six-year coach. “I’m from Georgia. It reminds me of that down-South hitting.”
‘Baler middle linebacker Johnny Sanchez, the poster-boy for that physical style of play, broke Bryan Baxter’s San Benito record of 321 career tackles late in the first half and received a game ball from Cameron in the post-game huddle.
Sanchez said his team understood the importance of securing its hold on second place in the TCAL, with the top-two teams receiving automatic Central Coast Section playoff bids. “After we lost to Palma, we realized this is our playoff battle,” the co-captain said. “It makes our season. It makes our homefield advantage. This was a game we needed to win.”
With two regular-season games to play, the ‘Balers near another significant accomplishment as they host Salinas on Friday. With a 13-year record of 99-50-5, the nucleus of the San Benito coaching staff – Cameron, defensive coordinator Tod Thatcher and offensive coordinator Rick Dukes – sits just one victory away from the 100-win plateau.
FROSH NOTE
Racing to a 28-0 halftime lead, the San Benito freshman football team defeated Alisal 34-13 Friday in Hollister. With the victory, the ‘Balers improved to 3-1 in the TCAL, setting up a battle for first place as they play Salinas on Thursday.
“We know we’re in for a big game,” said San Benito head coach Randy Logue, noting that the Cowboys defeated Palma 26-24.
A victory next week would likely move San Benito (5-2-1) into a three-way tie for first with Salinas and Palma.
JV NOTE
The San Benito JV football team was shut out by visiting Alisal on Friday, falling 14-0.
“Our team didn’t come out to play,” said ‘Balers head coach Luis Espinoza, whose team dropped to 1-3 in the TCAL. “We took them too lightly.”
San Benito has an overall record of 4-4 with two games to play.
