Last year the San Benito High football team came within two quarters of winning a seventh Central Coast Section championship.
But the Haybalers committed five turnovers—including three in the second half—against a more talented Milpitas team, leaving them with a thought of what might have been. This season, the Balers know they have to be stronger in closing games out.
“We didn’t win our last game and we didn’t finish,” said Chris Cameron, who enters his 21st season as the San Benito coach. “Losing that last game leaves a bitter taste in your mouth, which always helps provide fuel in the off-season.”
San Benito finished the 2013 season with a 7-6 overall record, 3-3 in the Monterey Bay League’s Gabilan Division. Cameron said when two teams come out on the field, “you know who has the edge.”
To that end—barring injuries or unforeseen circumstances—this year’s team probably looks better coming off the proverbial bus than last year’s version.
“We have a lot of seniors back who played last year, and if we keep on working hard, we should be really strong,” said senior Austin Cascio, a 5-foot-10, 163-pound free safety. “We’ve got guys fighting for every position, which as a team is a nice position to be in.”
Cameron had plenty of superlatives about Cascio.
“He did a lot of long snapping and short snapping for us, was second or third on our team in tackles and he’s very smart in understanding the scouting report,” Cameron said. “He’s a tough son of a (gun) and great at supporting the run while getting everyone in the right place on defense (pre-snap).”
Cascio dedicated his offseason to getting bigger, stronger and faster. Pound for pound, he just might be the strongest player on the team. Cascio said he can power clean 250 pounds, squat 339, bench-press 225 and deadlift 405.
The latter mark trumps most of the team’s linemen, a testament to Cascio’s technique and dedication in the weight room. Cascio dedicates equal time in the film room, studying the opposing team’s tendencies so he can gain an edge once it’s game time.
“Right off the bat I look at the formation and read the linemen, because they usually tell you everything,” Cascio said.
The Balers return a number of prominent players who saw significant playing time on the line last year, including two-way standout J.J. Melo, a senior defensive tackle-tight end; Jose Perez, a senior two-way lineman; John Sanchez, a senior nose guard; and Evan Balochie, a senior offensive lineman.
Melo impacts the game in many ways; on defense he’ll probably draw constant double teams, which will free up the rest of his defensive teammates to make plays. The 6-5, 240-pounder explodes off the ball with tremendous ferocity, and he’s just beginning to grow into his body.
“Because of J.J.’s age (16) and size, his best days are way, way ahead of him,” Cameron said. “We’re talking four or five years down the line. Every year he gets a bit better, a bit more mature and a bit stronger and faster. We’re looking for great things from J.J. this season.”
Cameron expects equally significant contributions from returning cornerback Andrew Sotelo, who enjoyed a breakout junior season in 2013. The 5-10, 160-pounder has made tremendous strides since his freshman year, a testament to his work ethic and willingness to learn.
“Andrew finished last season with a lot of confidence, which means good things for us,” Cameron said. “In terms of his aggressiveness and confidence, there’s a gigantic difference between the first game of last year and the 13th game.”
Cameron vividly recalled Sotelo going toe to toe with bigger running backs in the open field, making tackles the good old-fashioned way: above the waist but still low enough where he got beneath the pads of his opponents.
The San Benito running game promises to be plenty lethal again this year. The Balers have plenty of capable backs to carry the ball, including senior fullbacks Justice Felice and Bryan Noble, who is a load to handle at 5-8 and 200 pounds.
Of course, the quarterback is always a threat to run in the Balers’ offense, and this year junior R.J. Clark—last year’s backup to two-year starter David Stanton—has the ability to shake defenders in the open field.
Before this story went to press, Cameron said Clark was in a battle with Daniel Hopkins for the starting QB position. In senior running back-slot Chris Blake, San Benito has a player opponents must focus on. Blake, who missed a big chunk of last season due to injury, is versatile enough where he can line up almost anywhere on the field.
Two years ago, San Benito had a legitimate threat on the outside in receiver Robert Soto, who stretched the field and gave the Balers’ offense a dynamic boost. Whether it’s Blake or someone else, the offense would be close to unstoppable if a receiving threat emerges.
Last year opponents were able to bring one of their safeties down to the line of scrimmage to help in run defense; with an outside threat, that safety wouldn’t be coming down to the line so fast because he would have to respect the threat of a deep ball down the flanks.
“With an outside threat, that changes the picture,” Cameron said.
SAN BENITO VITALS
Last year’s record: 7-6 overall, 3-3 MBL Gabilan Division
Top returners: Austin Cascio, sr., FS/RB; J.J. Melo, sr., DT/TE; Andrew Sotelo, jr., CB; Jose Perez, sr., DT/OL.
Top newcomers: Daniel Hopkins, jr., QB; Hunter Nye, jr., FB.
Coach Chris Cameron’s comment: “I think I’m the only coach in the Central Coast Section who doesn’t take a player’s height or weight. I could care less about someone’s 40-yard dash time or his height and weight. Those are worthless statistics to me. I’ve never done it for the past 20 years—why should I now? It hasn’t prevented us from playing in nine championship games in 20 years.”
Big game: Nov. 7 vs. Palma. The rivalry game of all rivalry games in the MBL. Whenever these teams line up, it’s not just league ramifications that are on the line. The final result reverberates off the field as well; future football players thinking about attending Palma or San Benito just might make up their minds when they’re in the stands watching this game.
“We always tell our guys we want to be in a position where the Palma game means something, where something is at stake,” Cameron said. “It means a lot to their kids, and it certainly means a lot to our kids. They don’t want to get beaten by us, and it’s great because their kids get fired up for us. What I really like about playing Palma (at or near the end of the regular season) is we probably won’t play anyone as good as them in the playoffs. They’re always that beacon up there on our schedule.”
Analysis: All signs point to the Balers having superior depth and talent from a year ago. Combine that with the program’s usually strong work ethic along with the continuity of the coaching staff, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see San Benito hoisting up another CCS championship trophy in early December.
