SBHS senior linebacker honored; Balers earn 8 first-team
selections
Not a single team in the Tri-County Athletic League was able to
mimic the offensive and defensive ability of the San Benito
Haybalers over a six-game schedule this season.
SBHS senior linebacker honored; Balers earn 8 first-team selections
Not a single team in the Tri-County Athletic League was able to mimic the offensive and defensive ability of the San Benito Haybalers over a six-game schedule this season.
After compiling a league-high 199 points and allowing a league-low 84, the Balers finished runner-up in the TCAL with a 4-2 record and were well-represented on both sides of the ball after the league announced its year-end awards last week.
San Benito garnered eight first-team selections, six second-team selections, while senior linebacker Michael Murphy was named Most Valuable Defensive Player after leading a unit that allowed just 154 points during a 13-game season — an 11.8 points per game average.
Murphy racked up a whopping 142 tackles this season, including 96 assists, according to MaxPreps.com. His more than 10-tackles-a-game avererage easily led the team, and trumped former Baler Johnny Sanchez’ mark of 131 in 2005.
Murphy also contributed two sacks and recovered three fumbles on the year, and was first team defense in the TCAL as well.
Fellow linebacker Taylor Coustette was chosen first team, too. The San Benito senior recorded 68 tackles, including 46 assists, while also contributing a team-high 5.5 sacks.
Defensive backs Alex Alvarez and Jordan Ashford received first-team honors as well. Both cornerbacks each hauled in three interceptions for the Balers, while Alvarez made 58 tackles and Ashford contributed 43.
Ashford was also San Benito’s main return man on special teams, racking up 452 yards on 16 kickoff returns and 228 yards on 32 punt returns.
Junior defensive lineman Marcos Silva, meanwhile, rounded out San Benito’s first-team defense. Silva had 44 tackles, 2.5 sacks and recovered two fumbles for the Balers.
On offense, San Benito’s new triple-option attack supplied the Balers with plenty of points — 364 on the season, to be exact — and the unit was rewarded with three first team selections.
Senior quarterback Trevor Fabing was chosen after he scored 13 touchdowns in the regular season. In the air, Fabing was 41 of 84 for 683 yards passing, while also throwing three touchdowns and five interceptions. On the ground, Fabing ran for 510 yards on 94 attempts.
Senior fullback Nick Acosta was also honored on the first team after he ran for 956 yards on 132 attempts — a 7.2 average. Acosta also provided 11 touchdowns for San Benito.
Clearing holes for both Fabing and Acosta was senior offensive lineman Courtland Thompson, who earned first-team status as well.
Fellow offensive lineman Isaak Ramos-Cornejo was a second-team selection this season, while wideout Andre Cornell, who had 22 receptions for 465 yards and three touchdowns during the regular season, was also chosen to the second team.
On the second-team defense, San Benito earned four more selections, including senior linebacker Robert Pinedo (76 tackles, 1.5 sacks), senior defensive back Sal Ornelas (55 tackles, 6 interceptions), senior defensive lineman Brantly Mott (35 tackles, 1.5 sacks) and senior defensive lineman Adam Robles (37 tackles, 2.0 sacks).
In other awards, Palma wide receiver Bruce Taylor was named the TCALs MVP, Salinas running back Alvin Jelks earned Offensive MVP honors, while North Salinas back Mikey Benabides was named Most Outstanding Back.
Salinas’ Chandler Hubbard earned the Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman award, Palma’s Max Gibbons was named Most Outstanding Defensive Lineman, while teammate Jack Baird earned Junior of the Year after compiling 1,056 yards and 13 touchdowns on 185 attempts.
Alvarez’ David Perez, Gilroy’s Jordan Soares and Alisal’s Michael Barron were all named Sophomore of the Year.
Awards
TCAL MVP – Bruce Taylor, Palma, 12
TCAL MVP Offense – Alvin Jelks, Salinas, 12
TCAL MVP Defense – Michael Murphy, Hollister, 12
Most Outstanding Back – Mikey Benabides, North Salinas, 12
Most Outstanding O-Lineman – Chandler Hubbard, Salinas, 12
Most Outstanding D-Lineman – Max Gibbons, Palma, 12
Junior of the Year – Jack Baird, Palma, 11Sophomore of the Year – David Perez, Alvarez, 10; Jordan Soares, Gilroy, 10; Michael Barron, Alisal, 10.
First Team Offense
QB – Trevor Fabing, Hollister, 12
RB – Alvin Jelks, Salinas, 12
RB – Mikey Benabides, North Salinas, 12
RB – Jack Baird, Palma, 11
RB – Nick Acosta, Hollister, 12
WR – Bruce Taylor, Palma, 12
WR – Jordan Mitchell, Gilroy, 12
TE – Garrett Taylor, Palma, 12
UTL – Brandon Crosby, Salinas, 12
OL – Courtland Thompson, Hollister, 12
OL – Chandler Hubbard, Salinas, 12
OL – Nick Nunez, North Salinas, 12
OL – Coco Lattimore, North Salinas, 12
OL – Colby Varley, Palma, 12
OL – Brian Holmes, Palma, 12
Second Team Offense
QB – Austin Fales, Palma, 12
RB – Marquis Brooks, North Salinas, 12
RB – Johnny Morales, Alisal, 11
RB – Jordan Holler, Gilroy, 12
RB – Adan Iracheta, Salinas, 12
WR – Andre Cornell, Hollister, 12
WR – Josh Vultaggio, Palma, 12
TE – Ivan Ramos, Alisal, 11
UTL – David Perez, Alvarez, 10
OL – Gary Phillips, North Salinas, 12
OL – Tyler Isbill, Salinas, 11
OL – Cordero Gonzales, Gilroy, 11
OL – David Vasquez, Alvarez, 12
OL – Alfredo Morales, Gilroy, 10
OL – Isaak Ramos-Cornejo, Hollister, 12
First Team Defense
LB – Michael Murphy, Hollister, 12
LB – Taylor Coustette, Hollister, 12
LB – John Andrus, Palma, 12
LB – Blake Aldrete, Salinas, 12
LB – Robert Foy, Palma, 11
DB – Jordan Ashford, Hollister, 12
DB – Gary Carranza, Salinas, 12
DB – Alex Alvarez, Hollister, 12
DB – Nico Sandoval, Gilroy, 12
DB – Jordan Soares, Gilroy, 10
DL – Marcos Silva, Hollister, 11
DL – Brandon Pulealii, Palma, 12
DL – Max Gibbons, Palma, 12
DL – Gabe Avila, Salinas, 12
DL – Andres Ruvalcaba, Alisal, 12
Second Team Defense
LB – Brandon Garis, Salinas, 11
LB – Adrian Quintero, North Salinas, 12
LB – Adrian Melendez, Gilroy, 12
LB – Alexis Aguilar, Alisal, 12
LB – Robert Pinedo, Hollister, 12
DB – Michael Barron, Alisal, 10
DB – Taylor Tomas, Alisal, 10
DB – Bruce Taylor, Palma, 12
DB – Austen Heitz, Salinas, 12
DB – Sal Ornelas, Hollister, 12
DB – Anthony McKay, Alvarez, 11
DB – Bob Bianchi, Palma, 12
DB – AJ Organista, North Salinas, 12
DB – Brantly Mott, Hollister, 12
DB – Adam Robles, Hollister, 12
