San Benito to visit powerhouse Oak Grove
HOLLISTER
They’re the defending Central Coast Section Open Division champions.
They’re 2-0 this season, having outscored St. Francis of Mountain View and Woodside by an 89-14 margin.
They’re Oak Grove, and they were recently ranked No. 2 in the CCS by the San Jose Mercury News.
But for all their accomplishments this season and last, the decorated Eagles have always found a tough battle in the San Benito Haybalers, recently ranked No. 14 by the Mercury News. And Hollister’s coaching staff is expecting a similar approach, a similar fight and a similar battle from their squad at tonight’s game – like they always have in the past.
“It’s high school football. This isn’t the New England Patriots,” San Benito defensive coordinator Tod Thatcher said, calling it just another game. “Play hard and don’t make mental mistakes, and give yourself the best opportunity to win.”
The last time these two teams squared off, it was Dec. 3, 2005. San Benito beat Oak Grove 27-21 to claim the CCS Large School Division championship.
“If you don’t believe you can win, you’re behind the 8-ball right now,” Thatcher said.
The ‘Balers have won two straight this season, defeating Lincoln 13-12 and Wilcox 15-13, and have returned to a ground game that has practically defined the offense in season’s past.
San Benito rushed for 188 yards last week on 38 carries against Wilcox. In the two weeks prior to that, though, the ‘Balers ran for a combined 134 yards on 59 carries.
Tonight, when San Benito and Oak Grove kick off at 7 p.m., expect the ‘Balers to bring their grind-it-out mentality to San Jose.
“That’s the mentality we’ve got to have for the rest of the season,” head coach Chris Cameron said. “We need to be able to run the football and play a tough, physical game. And we really improved a lot last week, in terms of running the football.
“As the game wore on, we got better and better and better at what we’re doing. We’re still not hitting on all cylinders. But we need more time to do that, so we’re gonna come out with that philosophy again. We’re gonna try and be tough and run the football.”
Blessed with plenty of talent, Oak Grove does possess a forceful and fast rush defense, with speed being one of their best weapons.
“They’re gonna come hard after us,” Cameron said. “They’ve got people that can run all over the field. A guy could get beat on a read and we could get a step or two on someone, but they’ve got great closing speed so they’ll narrow the gap just like that.”
Cameron said the ‘Balers have been working on their pass defense this week as well, addressing the secondary after Wilcox posted a season-high in passing yards last Friday night at Andy Hardin Stadium.
Coaches of Oak Grove, which is coming off a bye last week, likely witnessed Chargers quarterback Cory Murphy throw for 218 yards and two touchdowns on 17 of 24 passing against the ‘Balers defense.
San Benito’s D will be up against Eagles signal-caller Kenny Arechiga on Friday, as well as the touted Carr brothers, Omari and Jabari.
The Carr’s will line up on both sides of the ball – Omari at running back and defensive back and Jabari at wide receiver and safety.
Getting over the mental hurdle, though, where a player must look beyond the honors bestowed upon Oak Grove, could be the largest obstacle heading into tonight’s contest for the ‘Balers.
But it is just another game.
“I’m looking for our guys to go up there, pin their ears back, and just get after it,” Cameron said. “I really want to see our kids just go out there and play a real, real hard, physical game. Go up there and believe they can make a big impact, and provide a punch and get something going for us.”
