‘Balers focused on beating North Salinas; shoring up pass
defense top priority
Hollister – Fresh off its bye week, the San Benito football team begins the second half of its season tonight by playing North Salinas at the Salinas Sports Complex. Facing a 1-5 team the week before their annual showdown with Palma makes this appear to be a potential letdown game, but the ‘Balers look focused on the task at hand.
“I think we take ’em one at a time,” San Benito senior fullback Tim Lango said.
Added defensive coordinator Tod Thatcher: “We prepare for each game as if it’s our toughest opponent of the season.”
Nevertheless, the contest matches two teams that appear to be headed in opposite directions. While the ‘Balers won three of their four preseason games and blasted Alvarez 38-6 in their Tri-County Athletic League opener, North Salinas fell 28-7 at Alisal last week, the fourth time the Vikings managed eight or fewer points this year.
North Salinas suffered 41-0 and 42-6 losses to the ‘Balers in 2004 and 2005, respectively, and did not win a league game while notching just three total victories in that span.
But Thatcher said the minute his team turns its back, the Vikings (0-2 TCAL) are liable to take full advantage. “Their record doesn’t show it, but North Salinas is a good team,” said Thatcher, who took advantage of San Benito’s off-week to observe the Alisal–North Salinas game in person. “They’ve got weapons all over the field. Those guys can score at any time.”
While the ‘Baler defense has overwhelmed opposing rushing offenses all season, limiting its past two opponents to a combined 2 yards (38 for Bellarmine, -36 for Alvarez), San Benito knows it has fallen victim to a number of big pass plays. Bellarmine used a flurry of passes to pick apart the ‘Baler secondary en route to a comeback win in Hollister three weeks ago, a disturbing development with San Benito (4-1, 1-0 TCAL) set to face a series of offenses in the coming weeks that are capable of striking with the deep ball.
In particular, Palma, set to host the ‘Balers on Oct. 20 with first place in the TCAL likely on the line, looks primed to capitalize on any holes in San Benito’s pass defense. Chieftains quarterback Brian Reader has already thrown for 1117 yards and 10 touchdowns in five games.
Fortunately for the ‘Balers, at least in terms of steeling themselves for Palma, Thatcher believes North Salinas will present a similar look offensively. Vikings signal-caller Michael Ramos ranks second among league quarterbacks with 616 passing yards, and juniors Victor Sapp and Excalibur Holder both have averaged at least 22.0 yards per reception.
Asked what improvements he is looking for from his defense, Thatcher cited tightening pass coverages and blitzing more effectively. “We’ve got to eliminate the home run shots,” he added.
On that front, the ‘Balers welcome the return of cornerback Zach Canez from a knee injury sustained in the Alvarez contest. The junior has a team-high five interceptions.
San Benito offensive coordinator Rick Dukes said the team can thank its bye week for allowing the ‘Balers to return for the bulk of their league season with a full stable of horses. “I thought it was a great time to have it,” Dukes said, “because we had some kids banged up, so we had some time to heel.”
Wing back Jordan Klindt, out with a shoulder injury since the San Lorenzo Valley game, has been cleared to play, but may sit out against North Salinas in a precautionary move.
Well-rested and returning to action after posting season-highs in points scored and points allowed against Alvarez, the ‘Balers look to parlay a strong performance against the Vikings tonight into soaring confidence going forward.
“This could be big momentum,” Lango said. “We already have momentum from Alvarez, but if we come out and (really) beat ’em, it could be big momentum going into Palma.”
