Sports

It may not have the same pomp and circumstance as the Gilroy-San Benito long time rivalry, but don’t tell the Balers that Friday’s game against Christopher wasn’t a bitter rivalry.

San Benito carried the VFW Memorial Trophy to midfield for the ceremonial coin toss and ran right back to Hollister with it for the third straight season three hours later.

Less than a year ago, Cathy Frusetta and Berenice Bribiesca were only hoping to contribute to the San Benito tennis team in 2011. For Bribiesca, now a senior, it was her first year playing tennis. Frusetta, meanwhile, was trying to gain experience in exhibition matches.

Gilroy High senior lineman Izack Lugo has one vivid memory of the last time the Mustangs faced San Benito. The game clocked at just reached triple zeros of a one-sided 39-3 Balers victory in the 2011 Prune Bowl.