Expect senior Chris Uribe to be in the middle of most of the
action for San Benito High this football season. Uribe does
everything but sell programs for the Balers. On second thought, he
sold 63
”
fundraising cards,
”
raising $630 for the Haybaler football program
– the top seller on the team – so pedaling gameday programs may
not be too much to ask this do-all football player.
Expect senior Chris Uribe to be in the middle of most of the action for San Benito High this football season. Uribe does everything but sell programs for the Balers. On second thought, he sold 63 “fundraising cards,” raising $630 for the Haybaler football program – the top seller on the team – so pedaling gameday programs may not be too much to ask this do-all football player.
It’s not a matter of what Uribe does for the Haybalers, but rather a case of what doesn’t he do? The 5-foot-8, 150-pounder starts at cornerback on defense and is part of a four-man rotation at wideout on offense. He also returns kickoffs and punts and even holds for PAT’s and field goals.
On two occasions in the Balers’ 20-20 tie at Wilcox last Friday, Uribe scrambled with the ball while holding for kicker Martin Chapa. The first time was on a bad snap on a field goal try late in the third period. Uribe nearly made it around the right side, but was tackled for a two-yard loss.
“We had the ‘fire call’ on,” said Uribe. “I wanted to pass it, but there was too much pressure so I ran it.”
The second occasion was, by his own admission, Uribe’s fault as he mishandled a good snap from Mike Lango on a PAT attempt. The Balers had just scored to go ahead 20-14 with 8:01 left to play. Uribe, who was brought down behind the line of scrimmage once again, had his face mask grabbed for a five-yard penalty. The Balers got another try at it, however Chapa’s kick was blocked, a crucial moment in the game.
Uribe caught the only pass completed by the Balers in the game when he snared a bullet pass from quarterback Karson Klauer for a 17-yard gainer, which gave the Balers a key first down at the Wilcox six-yard line. Last year as a junior, Uribe caught seven passes, one for a touchdown.
Uribe likes what he sees of Klauer, who is just a sophomore.
“It’s great we have a sophomore quarterback,” said Uribe. “It looks good for the future. Karson is relaxed and he rarely makes mistakes.”
“Chris runs good routes,” said San Benito offensive coordinator Rick Dukes of Uribe. “He has good hands, is a good blocker and a tough kid.”
Tough as nails
Toughness. That word best describes Uribe, who has to bring down running backs who outweigh him virtually every time.
“I can’t let up,” said Uribe, a wrestler during wrestling season and a pole vaulter on the Baler track and field team. “I can’t fear anybody. I have to be decisive and play 100 per cent.”
“Pound-for-pound, Chris Uribe is the toughest football player on this team,” said Baler head coach Chris Cameron. “He’s a real competitor and has the biggest heart on the team. He’s not afraid to hit and he brings it all the time.”
Defensive coordinator Tod Thatcher thinks so much of Uribe that he’s devised a scheme to free him up to make more plays on defense.
“We’re going to move him around, like a rover,” said Thatcher. “We’re going to make him a bigger part of the defense.”
Need a win
Uribe knows that Saturday’s game at Alvarez is pivotal if the Balers are to make the Central Coast Section playoffs.
“We’re going to be hungry for a win and so will Alvarez,” said Uribe. “We have to play hard and execute on offense. Mainly, we have to play four quarters of football. I have total faith in our coaches to do the right thing to win ballgames. We have to do our job.”
Uribe feels this year has been different than last when the Balers went a disappointing 4-5-1.
“We’re taking practice a lot more seriously this year,” said Uribe. “The coaches are getting on us all the time to play our best. I believe we will win the CCS title this year. We’re going to get better game by game.”
Uribe, in a fine tribute by his teammates, was voted one of four Baler captains.
“It is a good feeling to know my teammates rely on me to lead them,” said Uribe.
And do pretty much everything else, too.
