Kip Ward never thought of running for elected office back in the
mid-1980s, although he probably could have run a successful
campaign, even as a recent graduate of San Benito High School.
HOLLISTER
Kip Ward never thought of running for elected office back in the mid-1980s, although he probably could have run a successful campaign, even as a recent graduate of San Benito High School.
See, Ward discovered an easy way of raising one’s stature in this town — he was an integral part of three championship-winning football teams in 1984, 1985 and 1986.
“I was the quarterback on all three teams, or at least that’s what they tell me. I have a hard time remembering that far back,” joked Ward, 42, who is now the assistant principal at Ladd Lane Elementary.
The former quarterback is quick to remember each little play from those three seasons, each player on the team and even a few key substitutions — yes, even the subs. And he’ll have time to re-hash everything else on Friday night.
As part of its “Return of Champions” night, San Benito will honor each of its five title-winning teams prior to Friday’s football game against Palo Alto at Andy Hardin Stadium, including the fifth anniversary of the 2005 team, the 10th anniversary of the 2000 squad, and the 25th anniversary of when it all started — the mid-80s three-peat.
“It feels like 25 years,” quipped Ward. “No, time goes by fast. When (Athletic Director) Tod (Thatcher) called me and said it’s been 25 years, that was shocking.”
Ward will “captain” the silver anniversary teams on Friday, with former linebacker Allan Renz doing the same for the 2000 group and former quarterback Karson Klauer following suit with the 2005 team.
“It seems like it could have been a couple of years ago,” said Klauer, who connected on a last-minute 26-yard touchdown pass to Art Esparza in 2005 that sealed a 27-21 victory over Oak Grove. “I don’t think you can ever get rid of those type of strong emotions when you experience something like that.”
Among other festivities, including a no-host social at 5 p.m. at Relax! Grillin & Chillin Restaurant and sideline passes to all of those former title-winning football players in attendance, Klauer, Renz and Ward will speak to the current Balers football team prior to Friday’s 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
What they will say, of course, what choice words they will use to inspire a football team prior to playing its most difficult opponent this season, is entirely up to them.
“I’m kicking a few things around, some things that can’t be printed,” joked Renz, who, like both Klauer and Ward, was a “Golden Helmet” award recipient in 2001, which has been given annually since 1955 to the player who exemplifies Haybaler football on and off the field.
Renz, a three-year varsity football player, is third in tackles with 301 during the Chris Cameron Era (1994-present). He also helped anchor a defense in 2000 that prevented Leigh from scoring the game-tying touchdown in the waning seconds of a 28-21 San Benito victory.
“A lot of small-town emotions,” Renz said of what will be his pregame speech. “There’s a sense of pride for community and school and to see your successors do well and have something to play for.”
Renz said “it feels like yesterday” when the Balers marched through the CCS Division II playoffs, outscoring its three opponents by a 93-28 margin. Knowing that each and every former Baler in attendance on Friday night experienced a similar outcome, it’s sure to be a special evening.
“They all went through the same thing,” he said. “From watching film at lunch to reading scouting reports, you can remember all of it.
“We were never the fastest or the biggest, but we’re always to be respected.”
It’s that sense of pride and tradition that Thatcher is hoping becomes instilled in today’s current crop of Balers, or that “magic” as he refers to it. Although the AD is unsure how many former team members will attend Friday night, word has apparently spread as far as Oregon, where former wideout Mike Gonzalez is said to be coming from for tonight’s festivities.
“It’s definitely a tradition,” said Ward, who played with Gonzalez during the 80s. “It was just three great teams. The fact that we were the first of three CCS championship football teams in the school’s history, that’s something all us old-timers were proud of.”
Starting in 1984 in Division II South, a playoff that was only four teams strong back then, the Carey Laine-coached Balers routed Soquel 35-19 behind three touchdowns from star running back Eric Snyder.
A year later, the Balers did it again to North Monterey County when they posted a 21-14 win against the Condors. Ward hit wideout Frankie Perez, who’s currently teaching at the high school, on a 29-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 14-all, while Hollister’s Rudy Reyes later provided the go-ahead, and game-winning, score.
Perhaps the sweetest victory, Ward said, was the third Division II South title. For Ward, it capped a stellar prep career, but more importantly, it came against Palma.
“The crowning jewel,” Ward said.
Coached by Bill Johnson, who to this day still teaches at the high school, San Benito defeated Palma 7-3 on a seven-yard touchdown pass from Ward to Glen Koch, and fended off the Chieftains late, which had previously defeated the Balers 17-0 in league play.
In fact, Palma won the Mission Trail Athletic League each year San Benito won the CCS Division II South championship, although 1986 was the only year they squared off in the postseason.
“I had a couple of friends on Palma and they always beat us for the league title,” said Ward, noting that Bob Rawles, San Benito’s current offensive coordinator, was on the 1986 Chieftains. “It worked out nicely.”
Like the others, Ward stays in contact with many former players, many of whom still reside around town.
San Benito’s current wide receivers coach, George Ford, was a key figure in the ’86 championship when he filled in for concussed lineman Frank Borelli. Former tight end Mark Darnell is a dentist in Hollister, while Ward still remains close with ’86 running back Joe Silveira.
“I’m hoping some guys come out of the woodwork so we can all catch up,” Ward said. “That’s the biggest thing I’m looking forward to on Friday night, just to see some of those guys and catch up.”
For those who will be in attendance, there should be plenty to talk about.
San Benito Haybaler football welcomes all players and coaches from their CCS championship-winning teams to “The Return of Champions” at Andy Hardin Stadium on Friday night. The school is celebrating the 25th, 10th and 5th anniversaries of its five championship football teams — 1984, 1985, 1986, 2000 and 2005 — prior to Friday night’s 7:30 p.m. football game between San Benito and Palo Alto. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. with a no-host social at Relax! Grillin & Chillin Restaurant, located at the corner of San Juan and Union roads. Free admission and sideline passes will be available to Friday’s games for all players from each of the five championship teams. Please contact Athletic Director Tod Thatcher at (831)637-5831 ext. 350 or [email protected] for questions or details.
