It was a measuring-stick game for the San Benito Haybalers on
Friday night against Bellarmine. Unfortunately for the ‘Balers, any
chance of a comeback ended on a measuring-stick play.
San Jose – It was a measuring-stick game for the San Benito Haybalers on Friday night against Bellarmine. Unfortunately for the ‘Balers, any chance of a comeback ended on a measuring-stick play.
The Bells, playing host at San Jose City College, marched to a 26-0 triumph over the visiting ‘Balers in a game that was perhaps not reflective of the final score. It marked the end of the preseason schedule for San Benito (1-3 overall), who will visit Alvarez next Saturday in the Tri-County Athletic League opener.
“It’s hard to tell,” head coach Chris Cameron said of where the team stands at the end of the preseason. “Defensively, I know we’ve gotten a lot better; a lot better. Obviously, we’re not getting the first downs.”
Trailing 13-0 late in the third quarter, any last-ditch effort for the ‘Balers came down to a fourth-and-two play on Bellarmine’s 31-yard line. However, the play was stopped just inches short of a first down.
San Benito turned the ball over on downs, and the Bells capitalized on a two-yard touchdown run from running back Kyle Olugbode, who had three scores on the night.
“They came out ready to go. We were flat the whole game,” said defensive back Zach Canez. “We need to step up. If we stepped up, then the score is totally different.”
The Bells orchestrated a 65-yard opening drive to start the contest that resulted in a three-yard score from Olugbode, his first touchdown of the night.
On the following drive, the ‘Balers got a break when Bellarmine was penalized for a personal foul on a punt, giving the San Benito offense a second chance. But after working it down to the Bells’ 13-yard line, a missed field goal gave San Benito nothing to show for their efforts.
“We should have started ahead. We should have taken the lead,” said quarterback Ronnie Fhurong. “Bellarmine was on their blocks … We need to work hard in practice and it will follow into the game.”
San Benito got a shift in momentum at the end of the half when they prevented the Bells from adding to their lead, shutting the offense down on the ‘Balers 33-yard line. The Bells held just a 6-0 lead at halftime.
“We played great defense for two-and-a-half quarters,” Cameron said. “But we were on the field too long. Get the defense off the field.
“They’re the most complete football team we’ve seen so far … We played as good a first half as they’ve seen all year.”
While the second half began with a flash of lightening in the distance, San Benito couldn’t muster an offensive attack and was forced to punt. The Bells took advantage and upped their lead to 13-0 when Olugbode scampered in from 17 yards out on the following possession.
The ensuing drive for the ‘Balers ended just inches short of any chance of a come-from-behind win.
“We need to get first downs. We need to move the ball,” Canez said. “We need to execute more and not take plays off.”
The Bells took a 26-0 lead late in the fourth quarter when quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels went 25 yards on a misdirection that resulted in paydirt. The win for Bellarmine (4-0) makes it three years in a row that the Bells have emerged victorious against San Benito.
“I thought we played a lot better than what the score showed,” offensive coordinator Bryan Smith said. “We just kill ourselves (offensively) with inconsistencies. We played the best team we’ve seen so far. If you’re not on your ‘A’ game, that’s what will happen.”
Bellarmine head coach Mike Janda related the sentiment, saying the final score did not portray how close the game was.
“Every time we play Hollister, they come across that line and hit us, and they did that tonight,” Janda said. “They are a hard-nosed, well-coached football team.
“I think our kids just kept coming and played hard defense … They tightened up and didn’t let them get in the end zone.”
San Benito will open TCAL play next Saturday at Alvarez. On Friday night, Alvarez lost to Santa Cruz 55-6.
Said Smith, “We need to come out Monday and continue to believe that we can be successful.”
JV Note: The San Benito junior varsity squad fell to Bellarmine Prep on Friday evening 40-6.
Haybaler Ryan Ashley scored the lone touchdown for San Benito when he caught a 35-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kyle Vallejo.
“They were faster. They were bigger,” coach Luis Espinoza said. “There were a couple of times that we should have scored. When you go up against teams that talented, it’s tough to score.”
The ‘Balers will look to rebound next Saturday at Alvarez for an 11am game.
“I think we’ll be able to play with them,” the coach said. “Defensively, we match up pretty well. Offensively, we’ll see what happens.”
Frosh Note: The San Benito freshman team was held scoreless on Thursday against Bellarmine, as the host Bells upended the Haybalers 35-0.
“They were very talented in the skill positions,” coach Randy Logue said. “We played well on defense in the sense that we forced three turnovers. The kids played hard. We just got beat.”
The frosh squad will spend the extra day of practice this week on fundamentals, Logue said.
Next Saturday, the ‘Balers will travel to Alvarez for a 9am game.
“We match up better, but we’ve got to get our offense going,” Logue said. “I give all the kids credit. They’re working hard, but it’s frustrating when you’re getting beat and you’re not scoring.”
