For most of the season, the San Benito High defensive line been able to stand and deliver. So it was only appropriate the Haybalers defensive linemen—along with a strong linebacker corps and ball-hawking secondary—produced several stops in last week’s pivotal 18-7 win over Salinas at The Pit.
Perhaps none was more important than when Salinas had a fourth-and-goal from the 3-yard line with about five minutes remaining. The Cowboys attempted a pass, but defensive end Michael Camacho tipped the ball, leading to an incompletion. Salinas got the ball back a couple of minutes later, but the defense forced another three-and-out to seal the outcome.
It was a vintage performance from the defense, which limited Salinas to just 194 yards of total offense. This was San Benito’s most competitive game of the season, as it entered the contest having won each of their seven previous contests by 15 points or more. Defensive tackles Richard Justo and David Cadena line up alongside ends Jesus De Leon and Camacho to form a stout unit that has shined often this season. The four are all seniors.
“Richard was taking on double teams the whole night, and they couldn’t move him,” Balers coach Bryan Smith said. “When he’s taking a gap or two gaps, that allows our linebackers to run free to make plays.”
Despite battling a shoulder injury, Smith said Cadena played his best game of the season. Camacho was active all night in getting his hands up, and De Leon made his presence felt on several occasions. At 6-foot-3 and 305 pounds, Justo is an immovable object in the trenches, someone who must be accounted for at all times.
Nicknamed The Chief by athletic director and former defensive coordinator Tod Thatcher, Justo is mild-mannered and quiet off the field. On the field? Now that’s a different story.
“My mindset is to dominate and help the defense force a three-and-out every time,” Justo said. “I want to have fun, and if you can come off the field knowing you did your assignment, there is no better feeling.”
Justo, Camacho, Cadena and De Leon have done a solid job of getting off the ball, getting under the pads of opposing offensive linemen and putting heat on the quarterback. Camacho has 7 ½ sacks, including an incredible four-sack performance in one half of play against Christopher.
Justo has four sacks, while Cadena and De Leon have been dominant at times, too. At this point last year, Justo knew the defensive line would be fierce. Camacho, Justo and Cadena were returning starters.
“Camacho is just a crazy athlete and stud,” Justo said. “He’s physically and mentally strong, and there really is no words to (properly) describe him. They’re all great guys, and we try to push each other to be the best.”
Justo has become a student of the game, as he watches film of the team’s upcoming opponent every night before he goes to sleep. For 15 to 20 minutes, Justo looks for certain tendencies from the opposing offense.
“I look at the guards and how they play,” he said. “I look to see when they pull, where they lean and how the running backs line up in the backfield—anything that will give us an edge.”
Justo never got to play youth football because of his size—he was simply too big. As a freshman on the frosh-soph team, The Chief needed directions.
“The first game I honestly didn’t know what I was doing,” he said. “I was playing offense the first week, but after that thought it would be more fun hitting the quarterback instead of blocking. … I was learning the ropes, the fundamentals of the game, but because of my size, I dominated.”
Still inexperienced as a sophomore backup on the varsity, Justo started receiving lessons on the gridiron—from his opponents. Smaller linemen would routinely handle him because of his inexperience.
“Sophomore year was a good learning year for me,” he said. “I got beat up a lot. Then junior year I started beating people up.”
Indeed, 2015 was a breakthrough season for Justo, who started to realize just how dominant he could be. Justo isn’t the type of player who looks for accolades or the spotlight. Rather, he’s deeply rooted in trying to help his team win. And he knows the only way to do that is to be fundamentally sound on every snap.
“I need to get a push, strike my player and get rid of blocks,” he said. “I have to pursue the ball and just do all the little stuff that is required to complete my assignment.”
Stretch run
Very few coaches—if any—expect their team to be undefeated this late in the season. Before the season started, Smith certainly didn’t think his squad would be 8-0 overall and 4-0 in Monterey Bay League Gabilan Division play with two games left on the schedule.
The Balers, who are on their bye week, face North Salinas on Oct. 28 before closing out league play against their rival, four-time defending league champion Palma. San Benito was the last team to finish ahead of Palma in the league standings, as it went a perfect 6-0 to win the Tri-County League title in 2011.
However, since that time the Balers have only produced 3-3 records in league in each of the last four years. Of course, San Benito is guaranteed of having an above .500 record in league this season. Against Salinas, the Balers prevailed in a game that will serve them well in tight contests going forward.
It was a meat-grinder of a game, as both teams smacked each other around with big hits and every down had meaning.
“It was intense all night,” Smith said. “The guys played with a lot of resiliency and toughness.”
In the off-season, Smith and former coach Chris Cameron talked about the group that was coming back, one that had plenty of size, physicality and underrated athleticism. Beyond the physical talent, Smith wanted to see leadership and a group that was united.
Against Salinas, Smith was delighted when he saw Colby Noble greet fellow linebacker Eric Fernandez on the sideline after Fernandez made an interception. Fernandez is strong in pass coverage, and he’ll come in for Noble on certain downs.
“The first guy there on the sideline (to congratulate Fernandez) is Colby Noble,” Smith said. “To me that is a sign that the guys are playing for each other and realize what is at stake. Having the guys communicate and play for each other is one of the most important factors coming down the home stretch.”
Despite the close score, the Balers dominated the statistical line. They outgained Salinas 354-194 and ran off 26 more plays (77-51) by literally pounding the ball down the heart of the Salinas defense. Hunter Nye had another huge game, rushing for 179 yards on a career-high 33 carries. Nye had touchdown runs of 1, 40 and 8 yards.
Carson Schmuckle, the Salinas-transfer, had his way against his former team with 107 yards on 18 carries.
