Behind 152 yards rushing from senior Gabriel Hatcher, the Anzar football team improved to 2-4 on the season with a 56-24 win over Alma Heights Christian on Friday. The victory gives the Hawks one more win than they had during their debut season a year ago.
It was also the Hawks largest win in two years as a program.
It was a dominant effort from the Hawks, who led 40-16 after two quarters of play.
In his final game on Barragan Field, quarterback Jeremy Cedeno had his best game has a Hawk. Cedeno went 5-for-7 for 86 yards and a touchdown through the air. On the ground, Cedeno also ran for 61 yards and a touchdown.
Hatcher also played a huge offensive role for the Hawks, rumbling for a game-high 152 yards and two touchdowns. Kory Moran also had a good game for the Hawks, scoring three touchdowns while running for 76 yards on eight carries. He also caught two passes for 50 yards.
As a team, the Hawks used seven players to run for 438 yards in the win.
Defensively, the Hawks shut down the Alma Heights Christian running game, limiting them to only 76 yards on 29 carries.
Sophomore Joseph Banuelos finished with 14 tackles and one sack to carry the Hawk defense. Teammates Sergio Gonzales, Andres Munoz and Damian Stowbunenko each finished with seven tackles.
Munoz also contributed an interception and a sack in the victory. Overall, the Hawks forced three turnovers. For the first time on offense, the Hawks protected the ball, only turning it over once.
The Anzar season finishes Friday against Woodside Priory in Portola Valley.
SBHS girls tennis
The San Benito tennis team advanced to the Central Coast Section playoffs Thursday with a 6-1 win over Alvarez in the Monterey Bay League playoffs.
The Balers, once again, recieved a strong showing from the whole team team, sweeping the doubles and winning three singles matches.
Audrey Marshal continued to play well, winning in two sets 6-4, 6-3. Kelsey Slavich (6-3, 7-6) and Amanda Alvarez (6-3, 6-1) also swept for the Balers, who entered the contest as the second-best team in the MBL Gabilan Division.
No. 1 doubles partners Berenice Bribiesca and Cathy Frusetta remained undefeated with a 6-4, 6-4 sweep. Annie Tobias and Gianna Brigantino also won 6-2, 6-4 and No. 3 doubles Gwendolynn Fernstrom and Kiley Fontaine swept 6-1, 6-1.
SBHS golf
Despite a fourth-place finish from Emiley Palmquist during last week’s MBL finals, the San Benito girls golf team finished its 2012 season with a fourth overall finish in the MBL.
The Balers finished fourth in the final league standings and championship tournament behind first-place Santa Catalina, Stevenson and Monte Vista Christian.
In the championship round, Palmquist carded an 80 – four strokes behind winner Chloe Corriveau. The finish, though, sent Palmquist to the CCS finals on Monday. Look online for an update.
Unlike last year, Palmquist was the only Balers to advance to Monday’s section finals.
Lexi Branon carded a 95 to finish second for the Balers. Amy Carvalho (109), Beverly Witty (144) and Alicia Soria (142) rounded out the Balers top scorers.
SBHS girls water polo
The San Benito girls water polo team ended its regular season Thursday with a 15-9 victory over Salinas. The win gives San Benito a 8-5 record inside the MBL’s Gabilan Division.
The Balers ended their week with wins over American, Lincoln and Mountain View.
The Balers travel to Hartnell College at 4 p.m. Tuesday to face Aptos in the MBL championship tournament. The Balers enter the postseason as the fourth seed. The top four finishers earn a berth in the CCS playoffs.
AHS volleyball
The Anzar volleyball team improved to 9-2 inside the Mission Trail Athletic League on Thursday with a 3-2 win over King City.
The Hawks won the first two sets (25-23, 25-19, 23-25, 21-25) before being forced to a deciding fifth set in a tight battle. The Hawks squeaked by in the final set, winning 17-15 to win their second match in a row.
Raleigh McKinney’s 24 kills led the way for the Hawks. Monica Medina contributed 37 assists and Mail Gonzalez played good defense, grabbing 41 digs.
The Hawks returned to the court Monday against Stevenson. The Hawks also host Carmel at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
AHS cross-country
The Anzar boys and girls cross-country teams took first place over its league opponents Thursday.
Diego Leon led the boys team to a first-place finish over York and Oakwood, with the quickest time of 17:14. He barely edged York’s Kobe Lee, who finished a mere five seconds behind the Anzar senior.
Anzar’s Christian Monroy (18:12) finished third and Nat Hsia-Coron (18:22) placed fourth.
The girls’ Anzar team also took first over Oakwood and York, thanks to strong runs by Ali Bautista (24:33) and Adriana Vazquez (24:39), who finished first and second.
