Taking its first possession Friday inside Pinewood territory, the Anzar football team looked to keep the momentum of its first home win going, but an errant throw, an interception and a 60-yard touchdown return later, the Hawks were quickly put in a hole.
It was a hole the Hawks could never recover form in a 28-14 loss to Pinewood in San Juan Bautista on Friday. With the loss, Anzar falls to 1-4 on the season.
“We had a lot of mistakes that prevented us from winning,” head coach Luis Espinoza said. “I think a lot of players – especially the returning players – were a little nervous going into the game. They really beat us last year.”
Last year, the Hawks lost 54-6 on the road. On their home grass, the Hawks played well despite three interceptions and three fumbles.
“Those really hurt us,” Espinoza said. “The turnovers really took the win out of our sails.”
Defensively, Anzar played well, forcing a fumble while slowing down the Pinewood rushing attack. The Hawks allowed a total of 310 yards and only three offensive touchdowns in the victory.
In the loss, the Hawks showed dramatic improvement over last year, Espinoza said.
“It showed a lot of growth,” he said. “We’ve really improved over the past year. But we needed to keep getting better. We have to show that good enough is not enough. We can’t settle for that.”
The Hawks will go for win No. 2 on the year when they host Alma Heights Christian in their final home game of year.
SBHS volleyball
For the second time this year, the San Benito volleyball team was on losing end against Salinas. The Cowboys ended the Balers five game winning streak inside the Monterey Bay League’s Gabilan Division on Thursday, sweeping San Benito 3-0.
The loss gives the Balers a 5-2 record and full control of second place inside the MBL.
The Balers, though, could never close in on a victory on Thursday. The Cowboys jumped out with a 25-18 game one win before beating San Benito 25-20 in the final two games.
Erica Chapa led the Balers with 13 kills and 18 digs in the loss. Ellie Burley finished with 12 kills and 15 digs in a losing effort. Marissa Espino finished with a team-high 23 assists and six blocks.
Raelynn Heredia finished with 23 digs.
The Balers host Monta Vista Christian at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
SBHS girls water polo
Thanks to nine goals from Caitlin Schafer, the Balers girls water polo team improved to 7-4 Thursday with a 12-7 win over Aptos.
Erin Hepner scored two goals and Rachel Estep scored once to complete the Balers scoring.
In the cage, Rachel Smithee started and saved 11 shots in the win for the Balers.
San Benito hosts Santa Catalina School at 4 p.m. Tuesday in their final home game of the year.
The boys water polo score was not reported.
SBHS girls golf
The Balers won their fifth-consecutive match Thursday, defeating Pacific Grove 273-279 at Poppy Hills Golf Course.
Emiley Palmquist, once again, finished the day with the lowest score, carding a 37
Lexi Branon carded a 53 and teammates Beverley Witty and Amy Carvalho finished with a score of 57.
The Balers hosted RLS at San Juan Oaks Golf Course on Monday. Look online for an update.
