San Benito’s defense, led by its hard-hitting linebacking corps,
has smothered opposing teams through its first 4 games this
season
HOLLISTER
Heading to the locker at halftime last week, senior middle linebacker Michael Murphy glanced over toward the scoreboard. Although it certainly didn’t entail a blowout, or even a comfortable lead at that, the score was representative of how far San Benito has come.
Trailing Oak Grove 23-0 at halftime last year, in a game that only got uglier in the second half, Murphy and the Balers found themselves ahead last Friday night against the visiting Eagles by a 17-6 margin.
It was just an 11-point lead, but a 180-degree difference from one year ago.
“Everyone is together. Everyone is friends,” Murphy said. “We’re a lot more closer this year than last year.
“As a whole defense, I think we’re playing really well. We’ve held four teams to under 20 points. That’s pretty good.”
And that just may be an understatement, as San Benito has kept Andrew Hill (7), Lincoln (0), Wilcox (7) and Oak Grove (6) in check to a combined 20 points. Of the top 25 teams ranked in Central Coast Section by MaxPreps.com, only one team has allowed fewer points than the Balers – Milpitas High. But the Trojans, who have given up just nine points total, have played one less game than San Benito.
“We’re playing great defense,” San Benito head coach Chris Cameron said after last week’s 24-6 triumph against Oak Grove. “We’re nails on defense.”
While the defense has seen night-and-day improvement from its secondary, and a defensive line that has been surprisingly stout, the team’s “nails” mentality is exhibited by its linebackers.
Led by Murphy, who was an all-CCS preseason selection by CalHiSports.com and has compiled 42 tackles in four games this season, the hard-hitting Baler backers include starters Taylor Coustette, Robert Pinedo, Isaak Ramos and back-up Larry Mendoza, all of whom are seniors.
On the field, they’re a foursome that embody defensive coordinator Tod Thatcher’s smashmouth philosophy, a foursome that rivals some of the best linebacking corps’ that have played at Andy Hardin Stadium in recent years.
“As a foursome, they have the makings to become as good as the foursome we had in ’06,” said Thatcher, referring to Johnny Sanchez, Ricky Correa, Chad Kakebeen and Nate Mendoza, which combined for 308 tackles in 2006.
“As a foursome, they rival that foursome, which is the best set of four (linebackers) we’ve had,” Thatcher said. “They’re pretty good.”
Thatcher, who also coaches the inside linebackers specifically, added the ’06 Baler backers performed at a high level over an entire season. This year’s core has done it for four games.
“I think these guys have finally matured in the game,” Thatcher said. “They know the game of football. It’s kind of coming together.”
The strength of San Benito’s linebackers may be difficult to portray, unless one has seen their mix of speed, power, footwork and strength first-hand, not to mention their keen sense for where the ball is going and their wrap-up tackling ability that has turned San Benito’s D into arguably the section’s best.
“Best in the league,” Ramos said.
The five LBs have already accumulated 113 of San Benito’s 267 tackles this season, while also making the calls on the field, making the defensive checks and situating the defensive line before the quarterback snaps the ball.
“They have the bulk of the responsibility,” Thatcher said. “I put a lot of weight on their shoulders.”
After the Balers extended their lead to 24-6 against Oak Grove midway through the fourth quarter last week, the Eagles got the ball back at their own 39 and were needing to score. Instead, Oak Grove went three-and-out.
On first down, Ramos sacked quarterback Richie Castillo for a loss of 10 yards. On second down, Coustette broke through the line and hurried Castillo, who threw an incompletion. On third down, Castillo appeared to have a completion on a screen pass, but Pinedo delivered a hard tackle that jarred the ball loose for an incompletion.
“They work together and they don’t give up on plays,” said outside linebackers coach Ed Schmidt, who’s been with the varsity since 2004. “They’re pretty good at listening and becoming better players. That’s the biggest thing – they’re coachable, and they take pride in their job.”
While inside linebacker Murphy is receiving looks from North Dakota State University, Minnesota State University at Moorhead and Sacramento State, Thatcher points out Coustette has the potential to be the best outside linebacker he’s seen in his 16 years at the high school, exceeding the stature of Wade Brown in 2000.
“Strong, physical and fast, Taylor has all the same attributes,” Thatcher said. “As long as he stays healthy, he has the potential.”
And to think, he’s only been playing football since freshmen year. Originally set out to play water polo, Coustette instead listened to his uncle Kurt, a former free safety for the Balers, and joined the football team. It wasn’t until Thatcher pulled him off the defensive line freshmen year – he was playing nose guard at the time – did Coustette begin to blossom into a linebacker.
“I just want to make sure we do our best,” said Coustette, who’s compiled 20 tackles and 1.5 sacks this year. “At the end of the season, I want to say I played my hardest – no regrets.”
At 4-0 heading into Tri-County Athletic League play, their best record to open a season since joining the TCAL, the Balers haven’t allowed multiple touchdowns in any game this season.
“There’s always room for improvement,” said Coustette, after Murphy graded the defense a “solid B.”
“I can’t give ourselves an ‘A’ because we haven’t shut out every team,” Murphy said.
Not Murphy, Coustette or Ramos wanted to look too far into the future – “I’m not saying anything,” Murphy said – but the Balers know where they are right now, and where they were coming from last year.
As reported last week, San Benito has trailed its opponents this season for all of one minute and 29 seconds. But they don’t seem too worried if and when adversity rears its ugly head this season.
“We know what it feels like,” Ramos said.
“Yeah,” added Coustette, “we got a good amount of that last year.”
—
San Benito (4-0) will host the Alisal Trojans (1-3) Friday night at Andy Hardin Stadium in Hollister. Kick-off is 7:30 p.m.
It will be the Tri-County Athletic League opener for both teams.
