Looking to improve its non-league record to 2-1, the San Benito football team returns to the field at 7:30 p.m. Friday in San Jose against Willow Glen.
The Balers, who have been met with an early-season injury bug, face Willow Glen for the second-consecutive season after earning a 21-21 tie with the Rams a year ago. It will be the Balers first game since a week 2 40-23 loss to Palo Alto in Hollister.
Willow Glen enters the game with a 1-1 record, as well, after falling to St. Francis 30-0 last week.
The Rams are lead by duel-threat quarterback Matthew Toscano, who has thrown for 212 yards and two touchdowns during the first two weeks of play. On the ground, Toscano has 113 yards and a touchdown on 32 carries. In the Rams 37-7 season-opening win against Westmont, Toscano ran for 101 yards on only nine carries.
Toscano, a junior, did not play in last year’s tie.
To be successful, San Benito will need to sure up it defense, which allowed 40 points to Palo Alto two weeks ago. On offense, the Balers return many players who had a good game against the Rams last year.
Zak Hicks, who ran for 90 yards on 18 carries last year, will again be the Balers’ featured back Friday. So far this year, Hicks leads the team with 123 yards on 23 carries. He has scored two touchdowns.
David Stanton is expected to start for the injured Josh George. Against Palo Alto, Stanton, starting his first varsity game, finished 7-15 for 139 yards and an interception.
Defensively, the Balers will rely on Fabian Gonzalez and Jorge Perez to stop the strong Rams’ running attack. In the secondary, the Balers will need to keep an eye on junior Jack Hutchings, who has caught five passes for 62 yards in two games.
