Top-seeded San Benito ousted from the playoffs after 21-14 loss
to No. 8 Piedmont Hills
Hollister – It was not the scene anybody in red at Andy Hardin Stadium had prepared for Friday night.
But when the final ticks went off the clock of the Central Coast Section first round playoff football game between San Benito and Piedmont Hills, it was the visiting No. 8 seed Pirates who celebrated while the top-seeded ‘Balers saw their season and hopes of a second-straight CCS title come to an end in a 21-14 loss.
“It wasn’t the scene we were expecting, not at all,” San Benito coach Chris Cameron said as teary-eyed players hugged each other and said good-bye to coaches and teammates.
“They did a great job,” Cameron said of the Pirates. “They came down here and played hard and I don’t think our kids expected that.”
After rallying from a 14-0 first-half deficit to tie the game in the third quarter, the ‘Balers watched Piedmont Hills quarterback Danny Cruz architect a game-winning drive that concluded with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Joe Follen with 2:30 left.
On San Benito’s ensuing drive, Alex McCarthy, who caught nine passes for 201 yards and a touchdown, came up with his second interception of the game to seal the stunning upset win for the Pirates (6-5).
“We’re ecstatic,” said McCarthy, whose team advances to the semifinals to face to winner of tonight’s Alisal-Leland game. “We’re so close as a team. We kept our cool. … We’ve got a smaller crowd but they cheer like heck for us.”
Piedmont Hills showed their explosive capabilities with their offense early when Cruz hit McCarthy for a 66-yard touchdown reception on the game’s second play from scrimmage.
McCarthy quickly got the ball back for the Pirates when he intercepted San Benito quarterback Ronnie Fhurong’s first pass attempt of the game.
Piedmont Hills’ ensuing drive ended when ‘Balers junior defensive back Zach Canez immediately hit Pirates’ receiver Alex Diaz after making a catch and the ball popped loose and senior linebacker Nate Mendoza recovered.
It stayed quiet until midway through the second quarter when Cruz orchestrated a seven-play, 79-yard drive before he hit Follen on a short out route in the front corner of the end zone for a 14-0 lead.
San Benito looked to make a move to score just before halftime. Fhurong threw a strong pass to the sideline to Dru Blake, who caught the ball just behind Piedmont Hills’ Devon Mynhier after he attempted to jump the route.
With Blake streaking toward the end zone, Mynhier caught up to him and tripped him up at the 5-yard line. The ‘Balers fumbled on the next play to eliminate that scoring opportunity.
“You could’ve said maybe that’s the difference in the game,” Cameron said.
San Benito showed some life at the start of the second half and a quick five-play drive culminated in a 15-yard touchdown run by Fhurong.
Two possessions later, another five-play drive led to paydirt when Tim Lango scored on a 1-yard run behind the ‘Balers short yardage blocking package that includes linebackers Johnny Sanchez and Mendoza.
San Benito had a chance to take the lead on its first possession of the fourth quarter. It marched as far as the Piedmont Hill 20, but Blake’s 39-yard field goal missed wide left.
The Pirates game-winning touchdown followed that miss and McCarthy’s interception with 1:52 sealed the ‘Balers fate.
