After scoring 14 points in the waning minutes of last week’s
game against Palma, the San Benito Haybalers are hoping to carry
over that momentum into tonight’s contest at Alisal.
After scoring 14 points in the waning minutes of last week’s game against Palma, the San Benito Haybalers are hoping to carry over that momentum into tonight’s contest at Alisal.
Last week, the ‘Balers trailed the Chieftains 17-0 late in the fourth quarter, and pocketed two quick touchdowns in under three minutes to end the game.
San Benito lost to Palma 17-14, but offensive coordinator Bryan Smith is hoping last week’s late scoring spurt put the game itself into perspective for this week.
“We talked all week to try and have that carry over,” Smith said. “Scoring first and scoring often, and not shooting ourselves in the foot when we get that opportunity to score.”
The ‘Balers (1-2, 2-5 overall) have yet to score first in a game this season, nor have they scored in the first quarter. Poor execution and penalties have added up to the inconsistencies that have plagued San Benito all season.
But San Benito’s two late scores last week were executed properly, head coach Chris Cameron said.
“Look at what we can do when we do things correctly,” Cameron said. “We took advantage of the opportunity, and we haven’t really done that (this season) … We were playing with [Palma]. We need to continue bringing that spark to this game.”
Alisal enters the matchup in a similar situation as the ‘Balers. They’re 1-2 in the Tri-County Athletic League, 3-4 overall. Their lone TCAL win, however, came via forfeit after a 30-9 loss to North Salinas. Two weeks ago, the Trojans lost to Palma 49-7.
“We have a great opportunity to go out and win a league ball game,” defensive coordinator Tod Thatcher said. “If you don’t play every down, it’s not going to happen.
“We know they’re going to come out and play real physical. We can’t just talk about winning. We need to go out and execute and play hard.”
Alisal is led at the quarterback position by senior David Alejo, last year’s TCAL co-junior of the year. Alejo, listed at 6-foot-4, has thrown for 262 yards on 24 of 48 passing. He’s split touchdowns and interceptions with four a piece, while he can also be seen at the receiver position as well.
Behind Alejo is Jesus Romero, whose 524 yards rushing on 75 carries puts him second in the TCAL. Back Armando Enriquez has rushed 60 times for 186 yards and is also Alisal’s leading receiver with 13 catches for 143 yards.
Defensively, the Trojans have allowed 193 points this season, including 49 points against Gilroy, 49 against Palma and, although it ended as a forfeit, 30 points to North Salinas.
“I don’t think we’re going to see anything different,” Cameron said. “They’re trying to fix their problems, too. They’re in the same kind of boat.”
But as Cameron said last week, it’s about the Haybalers delivering a “perfect game” on all phases of the game.
The head coach noted the ‘Balers need to stop lining up in the wrong formations, stop running the wrong play called from the sidelines and eliminate the penalties, all negative factors that are “drive-killers.”
After a hot week with temperatures in the mid-80s, coaches said the ‘Balers had an up-and-down week of practices. While the heat may have put a damper on what San Benito did on the practice field, though, coaches are hoping it won’t put a damper on what the ‘Balers do tonight.
“Hopefully, we can come out and pick up where we left off,” Cameron said. “The opportunity is there, we just need to take advantage of it.”
