High School Sports

GILROY—Each time Christopher and San Benito meet in the water, sparks fly and Tuesday’s contest was no different. The Balers got the better of the Cougars this time, winning 11-7 at Christopher High.

After playing No. 1 doubles last year, San Benito High senior Megan Hurley has moved up into the No. 1 singles position this season. The earned promotion hasn’t come without its challenges, as Hurley recently lost a match to Monte Vista Christian’s top player, 6-0, 6-0. However, Hurley has maintained a positive outlook despite having to play against superior competition.

Meet the San Benito 49ers.

In two games, the Anzar High football team has experienced both ends of the emotional spectrum. When the Hawks beat traditional 8-man power Kings Christian in their season-opener, they were on Cloud Nine. On Friday night, however, they came crashing back to reality in a 58-6 loss to visiting Fresno Christian, which is one of the top 8-man teams in the state.

Before the season started, San Benito High football coach Chris Cameron expressed his usual concerns about the team. But he had particular questions about the offensive line, calling it “the weakness of the team right now” two weeks before the season-opener.

For the San Benito High girls volleyball team, the future is now. The Haybalers return all but one starter from last year’s team, they have a dynamic new coach in Ruth Testman and enough talent to compete with most of the best teams in the Central Coast Section.

The Anzar High cross-country team usually has one or two standout runners every year. This season that runner could be junior Angel Garcia, who ran just one race as a freshman and four a year ago. Hawks coach Faby Felix knows when she sees talent, and is hoping Garcia can complete an entire season.

The result was as stunning to the players as it was to outside observers. A year after losing to Kings Christian 55-0, the Anzar High football team stunned the California 8-man league powerhouse 26-20 last Friday in Lemoore.

For the second year in a row, San Benito had its way with Hilmar in its season opener. The Haybalers ran roughshod over the visiting Yellowjackets 49-20 on Friday. San Benito rushed for 384 yards and had 514 yards of total offense.

The San Benito High boys water polo team opened up the season with a 19-7 drubbing of visiting Harbor on Thursday. Daniel Reimer, a 16-year-old senior, had a match-high seven goals to lead seven different goal scorers. The Haybalers know things will be considerably tougher once they play some of the top teams in the Monterey Bay League next week.