Having been absent from the postseason for 2 years now, the San
Benito High football team will make its playoff bid this year with
a stout defense and a newly installed offense
SALINAS
Following an offsides call on Gilroy Friday night, San Benito senior signal-caller Trevor Fabing orchestrated a simple quarterback keeper out of the newly installed triple-option offense. It was the very first play from scrimmage for the Balers at the annual three-team TCAL Jamboree, and Fabing, who was sporting an elbow brace on his throwing arm, burst through the line and sprinted practically untouched 35 yards to the end zone, emitting a celebratory scream when it was all over.
Whether it was operated to perfection is for San Benito’s coaching staff to decide, of course. But for Fabing and the Haybaler offense, which was plagued with injuries last season and struggled to find the end zone all year, it was certainly a welcoming sign, and at the very least, an assuring one.
“We’re gonna be tough to stop with the triple option later in the season – Week 3 and Week 4,” Fabing said. “Overall, we did great.
“I think getting in the end zone got our confidence up.”
The TCAL Jamboree means nothing in terms of wins and losses. It’s simply a preseason measuring stick for San Benito, Gilroy and North Salinas – how far the team has come and how far the team has to go.
But for what it’s worth, San Benito’s first string pocketed four touchdowns Friday – two in the air and two on the ground – a far cry from the single score it produced one year ago. It means absolutely nothing, but for a team that was limited to a TCAL-low 70 points last season, there is a clear silver lining.
“I think we’ve made some long strides in camp,” offensive coordinator Bryan Smith said. “The biggest thing with Friday night was we gained confidence. It was the best thing that could have happened for us.”
The key to the Balers’ success this season could revolve around its offense, and perhaps even more specifically, around the offense staying healthy; San Benito saw a handful of running backs not last a full season last year, and even its emergency third-string quarterback took a few snaps under center.
“Staying healthy, because last year we had our share of the injury bug, and I hope we stay a little healthier this year,” said San Benito head coach Chris Cameron, who is entering his 16th season, when asked what the key to this year was. “I’m gonna keep every finger and toe crossed as I can to keep that going.”
Under the team’s run-heavy triple-option formation, which the Balers first used in 1998, a few bumps and bruises are expected. Fabing, in fact, had a case of elbow bursitis last week and was sidelined at practice as a result. Wearing a brace on Friday, though, he said he experienced no pain.
Smith noted the importance of keeping Fabing and fullback Nick Acosta healthy this season.
“It’s gonna be tough to do because the fullback carries a lot of the load up front, as does the quarterback,” Smith said.
Having not made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, the Balers, which went 1-5 in the TCAL last season, 3-5 overall, will look to break its unfortunate streak this year with a postseason bid. Opening with Andrew Hill on Friday at home, the Balers defense is expected to be tested in the air.
“We need to continue to play good run defense, but also are pass defense needs to improve,” defensive coordinator Tod Thatcher said. “We’ve got some veteran kids back there. If we can match up and our veteran kids can cover down, we should be OK.”
The Balers return both cornerbacks in Alex Alvarez and Jordan Ashford, while Conner Stevens and Sal Ornelas, each of whom split time at the free safety position last year, will fill the strong and free safety holes, respectively.
“Now we have four veterans there with a year under their belt,” Thatcher said.
Anchored by its linebacking core, San Benito should return its stout rush defense from last season. And Taylor Coustette, Robert Pinedo and Michael Murphy, a TCAL selection last season, should be the ones who bring it back.
“Going all out and staying together as a team – playing as one,” Coustette said. “We’ve got to be a team and work together.”
Who to watch in 2009
Key Losses: The Balers graduated several players on the offensive side of the ball, many of whom were at skill positions, including the team’s leading wideout in Evan McFadden and a handful of running backs like Jeff Bernaldez, Anthony Padilla, Sebastian Cathirell, Christian Maravilla and Mitchell Cook. On defense, San Benito will be without the services of defensive linemen Sam Doty and Robbie Sanchez, each of whom were all-league selections last season.
Key Returners: While the Balers will bring back quarterback Trevor Fabing, running back Nick Acosta, wideout Andre Cornell and offensive lineman Courtland Thompson, the bulk of the key returners will be featured on defense. All-league selection Michael Murphy will anchor a linebacking core that also returns Taylor Coustette and Robert Pinedo, while the secondary returns cornerbacks Alex Alvarez and Jordan Ashford, as well as safeties Sal Ornelas and Conner Stevens.
Quarterbacks: A position that was plagued with injuries last season, the Balers will be led by senior signal-caller Trevor Fabing, who saw limited action last season due to a hip-pointer injury. Backing him up will be Tyler Decker, while wideout Andre Cornell also took some snaps during preseason camp, and could be a third-string option.
Running Backs: Implementing a triple-option offense, the Balers will favor the run this season, and usually call upon several players to carry the football. While the quarterback Fabing is expected to be toting the ball at times, returning RBs Nick Acosta and Wayne Urbina should see the bulk of the action, while Cody Hendricks and Ryan Gutierrez, each of whom played on defense last season, have made the switch to the offensive backfield.
Receivers: With any one of San Benito’s RBs a possible target, the Balers should be led by returning wideout Andre Cornell and tight end Dustin Franco, among others.
Offensive Line: Courtland Thompson could see playing time at either the guard or tackle position, and is the key returner on the offensive line. Otherwise, San Benito lacks varsity experience, and still has an open competition for three of the positions, according to head coach Chris Cameron.
Defensive Line: With the absence of Doty and Sanchez, the Balers have five or six players competing for open spots on the front line, Cameron said. San Benito has three returners in Marcos Silva, Adam Robles and Brantley Mott, though, each of whom could see increased roles, while Tony Ramirez will move to the D-line after playing at linebacker last season.
Linebackers: The linebackers should be the key to San Benito’s stout run defense, and the Balers return three of their four starting LBs from last season, including Taylor Coustette, Robert Pinedo and Michael Murphy, who was a TCAL selection last season. San Benito will also see action from returners Larry Mendoza and Isaak Ramos.
Defensive backs: The only loss to the secondary was strong safety Devin Quintana. Otherwise, the Balers bring back cornerbacks Alex Alvarez and Jordan Ashford, as well as Sal Ornelas and Conner Stevens, each of whom split time at the free safety position last year. This year, Ornelas is expected to take the free safety reigns, while Stevens will occupy the strong safety position.
Season Outlook
2008 Record
Overall: 3-7
TCAL: 1-5
Note: This is the first time the Balers have been absent from the playoffs in consecutive seasons under head coach Chris Cameron.
Coaching Staff
Head coach: Chris Cameron
Def. Coordinator, ILBs, TEs: Tod Thatcher
Off. Coordinator, QBs: Bryan Smith
Secondary, RBs: Jay Ehret
WRs: George Ford
OL: Chris Evans
DL: Jeremy Guthrie
OLBs: Ed Schmidt
Special Teams Coordinator, RBs: Bob Rawles
Special teams, kickers, punters, holders, snappers: David Clay
2009 Schedule
9/4 v. Andrew Hill 7:30 p.m.
9/11 at Lincoln 7 p.m.
9/18 at Wilcox 7:30 p.m.
9/25 v. Oak Grove 7:30 p.m.
10/1 v. Alisal 7:30 p.m.
10/10 at Alvarez 2 p.m.
10/16 v. N. Salinas 7:30 p.m.
10/30 at Salinas 7:30 p.m.
11/6 at Palma 7:30 p.m.
11/13 v. Gilroy 7:30 p.m.
2008 Leaders
Rushing
Player name Car. Yards TD
Bernaldez, Jeff 75 335 1
Padilla, Anthony 65 259 0
Cathirell, Sebastian 29 134 0
Maravilla, Christian 35 113 0
Acosta, Nick 44 107 1
Receiving
Player name Rec. Yards TD
McFadden, Evan 29 462 3
Cornell, Andre 11 238 2
Padilla, Anthony 6 93 1
Cathirell, Sebastian 7 73 1
Acosta, Nick 6 65 0
Passing
Player name Com Att. Yards TD
Vallejo, Kyle 49 124 744 6
Fabing, Trevor 19 38 205 2
Decker, Tyler 8 17 73 1
Points Scored
McFadden, Evan 18
Cornell, Andre 12
Cathirell, Sebastian 6
Bernaldez, Jeff 6
Sacks
Ricky Canes 4
Sam Doty 3.5
Robbie Sanchez 2.5
Isaak Ramos 2.0
Taylor Coustette 1.5
Interceptions
Devin Quintana 3
Conner Stevens 2
Jordan Ashford 2
Alex Alvarez 2
Sal Ornelas 1
Tackles
Michael Murphy 93
Devin Quintana 81
Robbie Sanchez 80
Alex Alvarez 56
Conner Stevens 47
– stats compiled by MaxPreps.com and MBayPreps.com
