As with every San Benito football season, the early goal is to make the finale with Palma mean something. That mission was accomplished this year.
Unlike last year’s thrilling 13-12 win, the Balers’ final home game of the year at 7:30 p.m. Friday against Palma won’t be for the league title. Instead, the game could signal the end to the Balers 2012 season.
With a berth in the Central Coast Section playoffs on the line, San Benito (3-2 inside the Monterey Bay League, 5-4 overall) needs a win to confirm a spot in the postseason. A loss could put its hands into the fate of a coin toss – or outright elimination.
But if something has persisted in the two teams long-time rivalry, records are meaningless.
Palma will come into Hollister having already clinched the MBL’s Gabilan Division title with a 5-0 record. Overall, Palma is 7-2 and hasn’t lost since the season’s third week. San Benito will play its rivals on a complete roll – outscoring its last three opponents 175-27.
The Chieftains will bring a heavy running game to San Benito. Led by Brandon Olivares (124 carries for 901 yards) and Marcus Washington (90 carries for 560), Palma could give San Benito’s young linebackers some problems.
But that San Benito defense has been stout during the past three weeks. With the strong secondary led by Cody Cameron, Lionel Munguia and Dominic Padilla, San Benito should take away the Palma passing game.
The Balers, though, will need big games from linebackers Cody Freitas, John Barrera and Fabian Washington to slow down Palma.
On offense, San Benito will once again lean on a rushing attack that includes four runners with at least 200 yards on the ground. With the bruising Damien Botelho (73 carries for 446) taking away most of the touches, the Balers’ Zak Hicks (40 carries for 269 yards) and Paris Edwards (43 carries for 238 yards) will use their speed around the outside to give the Chieftains a different look.
David Stanton, who has rushed for 204 yards as well, will try at times to spread the ball through the air. Robert Soto leads the team with 20 catches and 327 yards. In seven games after taking over for the injured Josh George, Stanton has thrown for 599 yards and three touchdowns on 39 of 77 passing.
