‘Balers defense draws praise for critical stand in 4th quarter;
team needs to avoid allowing long ball
Hollister – For season openers, the San Benito football team’s 24-20 victory at Aptos Friday went about as well as the ‘Balers could have hoped. Most importantly, they won.
“No. 1, it’s the first time in five years we’ve opened with a win,” said San Benito head coach Chris Cameron, whose team had suffered opening-game losses to Central Coast Section powerhouse Valley Christian in recent years. “I’m happy with our start.”
Despite seeing their 10-0, third-quarter lead go up in smoke as Aptos rallied to take a 20-17 lead behind a couple of big offensive plays, the ‘Balers came through when it mattered most. While the offense battered the Mariners on a decisive 12-play drive that resulted in Jordan Klindt’s game-winning touchdown, the San Benito coaching staff said the team’s defense had every bit as big a role in the comeback victory.
After the ‘Balers failed to gain a first down when starting from their own 20-yard line midway through the fourth quarter, Aptos took possession of the ball knowing that if it could manage a first down or two, it would likely be able to run out the clock and walk away with the victory. But San Benito’s defense stuffed two running plays for one yard a piece and broke up the Mariners’ second-down pass attempt to force a three-and-out that gave the ‘Balers the ball back with seven minutes to play.
“We were down,” San Benito defensive coordinator Tod Thatcher said of the team’s state before the defensive stand. “The momentum had shifted 180 degrees.”
Said Cameron: “(The Mariners’) second-to-last possession, they wanted to get out there and chew the clock. They were ahead. The big deal was they went three-and-out and only got like two yards.”
The ‘Balers’ head coach expressed general happiness with his team’s offense in the opener, but identified allowing a handful of big gains to Aptos’ offense as adjustments that San Benito’s defense needs to make. “We gave up a couple of deep shots and we just can’t do that,” Cameron said after the ‘Balers allowed 82- and 62-yard touchdowns in the second half.
Thatcher agreed: “I think we gave up the two big shots and it could’ve cost us the ballgame. They were able to get into the open field and they had some guys who could scoot.”
Offensive coordinator Rick Dukes found plenty of positives in his unit’s performance, particularly the performance of a line that only had two players with varsity experience entering the season.
Dukes also was encouraged by quarterback Ronnie Fhurong’s performance. The junior finished 9-of-18 for 98 yards passing with one touchdown and two interceptions. “He had the two big mistakes forcing balls,” Dukes said, “but other than that, he made good decisions. I think he did a good job in his first varsity start against a pretty good team.”
San Benito returns to action when it hosts San Lorenzo Valley on Friday at 7:30pm.
Player of the Game: Junior Jordan Klindt scored the game-winning touchdown as the ‘Balers’ wing-back and also led the team’s defense from his strong safety position with eight tackles. Klindt rushed 11 times for 59 yards and saved his best carry for last. His 15-yard touchdown run with 2:31 remaining gave the ‘Balers the lead for good. On the defensive side of the ball, Klindt snuffed out a number of Aptos’ perimeter passes and runs. “He was flat out the best player in the game,” defensive coordinator Tod Thatcher said. “He just kicked ass.”
Drive of the Game: After falling behind for the first time in the game at 20-17 with seven minutes to play, the San Benito offense powered down the field to wear down Aptos and score the game-winning touchdown. The ‘Balers marched 73 yards on 12 plays to retake the lead for good with Jordan Klindt’s 15-yard scoring run. San Benito ran on all but one play on the drive, using its running backs and offensive line to win the physical battle with the tiring Mariners.
Special Teams Play of the Game: Leading 7-0 at the half, San Benito added to its lead with Dru Blake’s 35-yard field goal at the 9:48 mark of the third quarter. After taking the second-half kickoff and driving all the way to Aptos’ 15-yard line, the ‘Balers were in danger of seeing their efforts go for naught after a 10-yard penalty and a near Mariners’ interception. But Blake stepped up and drilled the field goal with room to spare, giving his team valuable points and momentum.
Defensive Play of the Game: Moments after San Benito took its 24-20 lead, Aptos rapidly drove to the ‘Balers’ 24-yard line and looked poised to score with time running down. But San Benito cornerback Zach Canez leaped high to intercept Aptos QB Curtis Worden’s third-and-10 pass to preserve his team’s victory. The junior, who entered the defensive backfield in a reserve capacity in the first quarter, finished with two picks on the night.
Unsung Hero of the Game: The ‘Balers’ defense coming up big when the team needed it most. After Aptos scored on its second straight possession to take a 20-17 lead, San Benito appeared in danger of dropping its opening game when its offense went three-and-out to give the Mariners the ball back at the 8:36 mark. Allowing a first down or two would have been a lethal stroke in the ‘Balers’ bid for a comeback, but the team’s defense responded by smothering the Mariners. San Benito gave up just two yards on the ensuing three plays to force Aptos to punt, handing the ball back to the ‘Balers’ offense in time for the game-winning drive. “If we didn’t go three-and-out on that drive, we were done,” defensive coordinator Tod Thatcher said.
Stat of the Game: San Benito’s 301 total rushing yards. Led by fullback Tim Lango’s 179 yards and one touchdown on 15 carries, the ‘Balers unleashed a powerful ground attack that played a large part in wearing down Aptos’ defenders by the fourth quarter. On the game-winning drive, San Benito ran on its final nine plays, churning out the yards and keeping the clock running. “If we hit 300 yards rushing, we’re winning 99 percent of the time,” offensive coordinator Rick Dukes said. “It’s tough to hit 300 yards in high school football.”
Quote of the Game: “I think in the fourth quarter,” head coach Chris Cameron said, “we just wore the snot out of them.”
