In a game that had the feel of being a lot closer than what the
final score suggested, it was understandable to see the San Benito
Haybalers walk off the field frustrated against Bellarmine Prep
Friday.
San Jose – In a game that had the feel of being a lot closer than what the final score suggested, it was understandable to see the San Benito Haybalers walk off the field frustrated against Bellarmine Prep Friday.
But depending on who you ask, maybe the score was reflective of how the ‘Balers played.
The ‘Balers (1-3 overall) knew coming in that Friday’s game at San Jose City College would be the toughest contest in their preseason schedule. With losses already to Milpitas and San Lorenzo Valley, that’s saying a lot.
But the Bells entered the game undefeated at 3-0, with wins against Clovis (48-13), Piedmont Hills (42-0) and Jesuit (42-28). They had outscored their opponents 132-41, and had won the two previous contests against San Benito in the past two years.
Despite the final score being 26-0, however, you could make the argument that San Benito gave Bellarmine the toughest test it has seen all season.
They held the Bells to just six points in the first half. For a Bellarmine offense that was averaging more than 23 points in the first two quarters, the ‘Balers did a much better job than Clovis, Jesuit or Piedmont Hills did against a formidable Bells attack.
In fact, the ‘Balers trailed only 13-0 heading to the fourth quarter, staying within two scores until midway through the final stanza.
“We played as good a first half as they’ve seen all year,” head coach Chris Cameron said.
And that’s why the game seemed so much closer than what a 26-0 outcome would suggest.
The ‘Balers defense held Bellarmine in check, while the Bells pocketed a pair of late scores to cushion their lead.
But with a flash of lightening in the distance to start the second half, the ‘Balers couldn’t find that spark on offense to put them in the end zone.
When asked if the final score was reflective of the game, Cameron said, “I think so … We were on the field too long. Get the defense off the field.”
What came up as the Stat of the Game seemed also to be the most telling stat as well. The ‘Balers were 0 for 1 in the red zone, meaning they didn’t score in the red zone Friday, and only made it to the red zone once.
The red zone drive for San Benito was also the opening drive, and it had its strong moments.
After San Benito punted, they got the ball back when the Bells committed a personal foul on the ‘Balers. From there, quarterback Ronnie Fhurong hooked up with Zach Canez for 14 yards, then found Evan McFadden for 26 down the left sideline.
But after running backs Abel Jacquez and Nick Acosta had back-to-back 5-yard carries, a holding penalty put a damper on the drive.
“We get a good drive to start the game, good momentum builder,” said offensive coordinator Bryan Smith. “We just kill ourselves with inconsistencies.”
The ‘Balers missed a field goal to end the drive, and didn’t get back inside the Bells’ 20-yard line for the remainder of the game.
“We should have started ahead,” Fhurong said. “We should have taken the lead.”
The preseason is over, and the ‘Balers will get a good chance to spark their offense in the TCAL opener at Alvarez on Saturday, who lost convincingly 55-6 to Santa Cruz last Friday.
Added Canez, “We need to get first downs. We need to move the ball. We need to execute more …”
With league games starting this week, the ‘Balers will need to do just that.
Player of the Game
Junior wide receiver Evan McFadden had a breakout game at San Jose City College. McFadden was quarterback Ronnie Fhurong’s go-to guy, catching three balls for 50 yards. On the defensive side, McFadden had a nice open-field tackle on a third-and-20, stopping Bellarmine wide receiver Anthony Boitano just two yards short of a first down.
Stat of the Game
Unfortunately, it’s not a good stat for ‘Baler fans. San Benito was 0 of 1 in the red zone. The Haybalers only entered the red zone once on Friday night, and left it without anything to show.
Hit of the Game
Since this is a column, and it’s my opinion, I’m giving the hit of the game to Evan McFadden. As a defensive back early in the fourth quarter, McFadden delivered a perfectly timed hit on a Bellarmine wide receiver, knocking the ball loose for an incomplete pass. Of course, the refs called pass interference, but since I didn’t see PI, McFadden gets the hit.
Play of the Game
More like plays of the game. To end the first half, the Haybalers defense stepped up to a threatening Bellarmine offense. With less than a minute to play in the second quarter, the Bells had the ball at San Benito’s 33-yard line. After a Bellarmine receiver had the ball jarred loose by the ground in the end zone, the ‘Balers broke up the following play, which was nearly picked off (twice), and ended Bellarmine’s drive when defensive back Zach Canez laid out to break up a pass and turn the ball over on downs.
Quote of the Game
“We played the best team we’ve played so far. If you’re not on your ‘A’ game, that’s what will happen.” – Bryan Smith, offensive coordinator.
