It’s been nearly two weeks since the San Benito Haybalers
triumphed over the Everett Alvarez Eagles 29-13.
Hollister – It’s been nearly two weeks since the San Benito Haybalers triumphed over the Everett Alvarez Eagles 29-13.
Break’s over.
With the bye week now past, the ‘Balers are at a critical juncture in their season. With only five games remaining, tonight’s Tri-County Athletic League battle will most definitely set the tone for the rest of the season, not only for San Benito but for the TCAL as well.
With San Benito (1-0, 2-3) improving by the week, Palma being Palma, Gilroy rising into a formidable opponent and Salinas free of playoff regulations, the TCAL title is up for grabs.
And the ‘Balers will start their title push tonight against another title-worthy team, the North Salinas Vikings (0-2, 4-2), whose collective running game is possibly the strongest in the TCAL if not the Central Coast Section, said San Benito defensive coordinator Tod Thatcher.
“As a collective group, I don’t see a team walking out with four interchangeable parts like that,” Thatcher added. “Our mission is to contain the run and keep it close.”
And it starts with running back Devin Camel, who, according to mbaypreps.com, has already rushed for 773 yards on 96 carries, an average of more than eight yards per carry. The senior back has found the end zone nine times this season.
But Camel isn’t necessarily carrying the team on his back, as the ‘Balers are also taking Bobby Bautista (40 carries, 288 yards) and Mark Ramos (56, 226) seriously, as coach Chris Cameron said Ramos was their best overall back.
“They have big-play capability,” Cameron said of the Vikings offense. “I’d like to say we’re playing better, but we’ll find out when we play the game.”
As a sidenote to the game itself, both teams will be entering the match with events that could act as a distraction or a motivator.
For the Vikings, last week’s 30-9 win over Alisal was listed as a forfeit due to a couple of players breaking school policy.
For the rested ‘Balers it’s Homecoming week, and with parades and halftime shows, players could either be distracted or be given an emotional lift.
Either way, it’s a must-win game for both teams, looking to make a statement in the league.
“This is about as huge of a game as we’ve had in a number of years,” Thatcher said. “These guys are playing extremely well and they’re extremely physical.
“It’s kind of like the younger brother coming to play the big brother and we’re on an even playing field … They’re coming over thinking they can beat us, and we’re trying to get into our kids minds that, hey, we’re the team to beat, boys.”
The ‘Balers are expecting an aggressive, physical, blitz-heavy defense from North Salinas, and will look to counter that by, as offensive coordinator Bryan Smith said, getting “back to the roots of the Wing-T offense.”
“The offense looks great. It looks better than its looked all year,” Smith said. “They blitz a ton and try to put a lot of pressure on you, and with that pressure try to cause some turnovers. So we’ve stressed ball control and taking care of the ball.”
As Everett Alvarez will attest to, if you lose the turnover battle, you will likely lose the game. So keeping control of the football tonight could lead to another ‘Baler win.
“To beat a 4-2 team, we need to play like a 4-2 team,” Cameron said. “I feel like we’re getting better … We need to take that big step this week.”
