After rebounding from the worst loss in recent school history to
post its first victory of the season last week, the San Benito High
football team will be tested again tonight.
n By Jim Johnson Staff Writer
Hollister – After rebounding from the worst loss in recent school history to post its first victory of the season last week, the San Benito High football team will be tested again tonight.
The Haybalers, who are ranked No. 12 in the Central Coast Section, are set to host No. 13 Wilcox of Santa Clara at 7:30pm at Andy Hardin Field in Hollister. San Benito is currently ranked No. 12 in CCS.
Last week, San Benito rode a stout defensive effort to a 13-7 victory over visiting San Lorenzo Valley, as the Balers held the Cougars to just 90 yards rushing on 27 carries. Linebacker Anthony Vasquez made a successful return from injury to help lead the defensive charge, which was aided by defensive lineman Vince Seardam.
And, the Balers will likely need an even better defensive effort against highly touted Wilcox, which is coming off a 13-9 victory over well-regarded Terra Nova of Pacifica in its season-opener last week.
“We have to be able to rise to the challenge (defensively),” San Benito coach Chris Cameron said. “They’re really big across the frontline and they have a couple of speedsters, along with an all-league quarterback. We’re going to have to give them some different looks and force them out of what they like to do.”
The Chargers, who are expected to vie for the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League’s De Anza Division title, are led by returning first-team all-league senior quarterback Thomas Russell. At 6-0, 215, Russell is a load and rushed for more than 600 yards last season. He also passed for 500 yards, with a 63-percent completion rate, out of Wilcox’s Veer offense last season.
Russell is backed by speedy running back Derome Fowler, a junior transfer from Mountain View who is one of the top sprinters in the section. Fowler runs behind a large, quick offensive line that returns most of its unit from last year, when the Chargers rushed for 3,300 yards.
Senior Josh Legge leads Wilcox’s receiving corps.
According to Cameron, Wilcox controlled the ball against Terra Nova but hurt itself with turnovers, one of which led to Terra Nova’s lone TD. He said the Chargers “pretty much dominated” the game and moved the ball with ease.
Cameron said the Balers will have to pick it up on offense to take some of the pressure off the defense against the potent Charger attack. He said the “really young” Baler offense must “grow up” and cut down significantly on turnovers and penalties that have killed several big plays in the last two weeks.
“If we don’t move the ball against them, we don’t have a chance,” Cameron said. “You can only play good defense for so long.”
Offensively, San Benito junior quarterback Karson Klauer leads the way for the Balers. The second-year starter by rushing for 74 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. Klauer also passed for 71 yards by completing 7 of 12 passes.
Running back Chuck Thompson scored the game-winning TD on a one-yard dive in the third quarter.
San Benito rushed for 218 yards on 41 carries, with running backs Chris Brigantino and Gabe Gaitan rushing for 69 and 62 yards, respectively.
The Wilcox defense is led by returning all-league senior nose tackle Chip Leffel, a three-year starter at the position.
Last season, Wilcox saw its postseason hopes disappear after being forced to forfeit five wins and a tie following a player-forgery incident. But the Chargers rebounded to win their last three games of the season, including a road victory over rival Los Gatos in the season finale.
In its season-opener, San Benito lost at Valley Christian 41-0.
