The game against Salinas was called one of San Benito’s biggest
of the year by its coaches
– and Friday the Balers played like it was.
Behind a strong defensive first half
– forcing the Cowboys to three punts and only one sustained
drive – the Balers dominated in a 28-7 rout on the road.
The game against Salinas was called one of San Benito’s biggest of the year by its coaches – and Friday the Balers played like it was.
Behind a strong defensive first half – forcing the Cowboys to three punts and only one sustained drive – the Balers dominated in a 28-7 rout on the road.
The Balers never forced a turnover – they did however block a punt in the second quarter – and only recorded one sack on the night but the defense swarmed the strong running game of Salinas – limiting the Cowboys to only 111 yards on the ground.
On offense, the Balers used their good field position to their advantage by striking for four touchdowns in the first half.
Sophomore quarterback Josh George completed two of his three passes for 109 yards and a touchdown in the Baler win. Zak Hicks ran for 63 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries.
But things didn’t start out gloriously for the road team. The Cowboys opened the game with a long 15-play 69-yard drive that ended in a missed 33-yard field goal.
The defense was able to stall the drive – after five Cowboy first downs – inside the 20 yard line as the defensive line, lead by Ryan Di Salvo, stiffened.
After the field goal attempt drifted to the right, the Balers came back with vengeance.
After a couple of running plays that picked up a first down and about 15 yards, the Balers struck for a long pass play.
George noticed a smaller defender on Di Salvo and threw a ball up for grabs around the Salinas’ 40-yard line. Using his size advantage, Di Salvo leaped in the air and came down with the catch.
Di Salvo broke a tackle and ran 40-yards untouched in the end zone. After nearly an eight-minute Salinas drive, the Balers moved down in the field in under two minutes.
The rest of the half the Balers poured it on Salinas by forcing quick punts and good Baler field position.
Hicks responded with runs of 18 and 28 yards to extend the Baler lead to 21-0 late in the second quarter.
Then after a three-and-out by Salinas, the Balers’ John Canes and Di Salvo combined to block the Cowboys’ ensuing punt.
With field position inside the 20-yard line, the Balers ran the ball and eventually gave it to Anthony Cervantes for a 3-yard touchdown run.
Those 28 points were all the Balers needed in the dominant performance.
The win moves the Balers record to 3-2-1 and 2-0 in the Tri-County Athletic League.
Look for more soon
