In the aftermath of last week’s demoralizing 35-21 loss to Monterey, San Benito High football coach Chris Cameron talked individually with several of the players, trying to get a gauge of their mindsets.
“I wanted to get a sense and feeling of how the kids were going to respond,” Cameron said. “In practice this week, we’ll see what kind of team we are. We’ll see.”
For the Haybalers (2-4 overall, 0-2 Monterey Bay League Gabilan Division), Cameron’s statement means only one thing: If San Benito is going to turn around its season like it did in 2012, when it started with an identical record only to win six of its final seven games, culminating in a Central Coast Section Division I championship victory, it has to do it starting with Friday’s 7:30 p.m. home game against Monte Vista Christian-Watsonville (3-4, 1-2).
After Friday night’s contest, San Benito’s remaining schedule includes games against Seaside, Alisal and Palma. The Balers’ margin for error is long gone; the good news is San Benito’s next three games are all winnable — Monte Vista Christian, Seaside and Alisal have a combined record of 9-11 — meaning its playoff hopes could come down to the regular-season finale against Palma.
Considering the fact that San Benito can’t overlook any opponent right now, it’s no wonder Cameron was trying to get a barometer on his players’ psyche.
“The only thing similar to last year other than our record was we were turning the ball over quite a bit,” Cameron said. “Other than that, the situation is different. We just need to get some momentum going.”
One of last week’s standout players included Cody Freitas, who made an impact on both sides of the ball. The senior linebacker-slot back had an interception and busted loose for a 59-yard run on his only carry of the game.
Cameron doesn’t have to worry about Freitas’ mindset, as the senior consistently produces plays on offense and defense.
“Everyday I look in the mirror, and I know I’ve left it all out on the field,” Freitas said. “I want to give it all for myself, this team and the coaches. I know we can turn our season around, but it’s all a matter of focus. We’re not winning right now, and it’s tough because the feeling of losing is worse and more intense than the great feeling you get when you win.”
Highlights from last week’s game included a pair of short touchdown runs from Justice Felice; Zak Hicks rushing for a team-high 112 yards on 13 carries for a robust 8.6 yards per carry average; and the team totaling 239 yards on the ground.
However, costly mistakes came back to haunt San Benito again in the form of three turnovers that led to 14 Monterey points.
Monterey quarterback Carter Aldrete was 6-of-10 passing for 191 yards, averaging a whopping 31.4 yards per completion. In fact, Aldrete had four completions of 39 yards or more.
The Balers never led, and for the fifth time in six games this season failed to score an offensive touchdown in the first quarter. San Benito allowed several big plays, none more back-breaking than Jason Berring’s 63-yard touchdown run that came moments after the Balers had forged a 21-21 tie with 9:55 left in the game.
“We shot ourselves in the foot,” Cameron said. “We just can’t keep on doing it to ourselves and expect to see a different result. I’m proud of the guys and the effort they put up, but the turnovers are momentum killers. We came back fighting, and that’s something to take note of. All we can do now is keep on going at it, and make sure we build some character in the process.”
