First win? Check. The San Benito Haybalers brought a stifling
defense, an offense that found the end zone twice, and a special
teams unit that prevented the big return last week against the
Wilcox Chargers in Santa Clara.
Hollister – First win? Check.
The San Benito Haybalers brought a stifling defense, an offense that found the end zone twice, and a special teams unit that prevented the big return last week against the Wilcox Chargers in Santa Clara.
It resulted in a 13-6 ‘Baler win, and it was, as Head Coach Chris Cameron said, the most complete game his team has played all season.
“Last week was a great victory; 1-2 is better than 0-3 any day,” Cameron said. “We beat them, and it gave us some confidence.”
Of course, that was last week. Just as quickly as the ‘Balers coaching staff receives game film of their next opponent, the victory celebrations end, and the squad begins to focus on a formidable Bellarmine Prep team.
When asked of Bellarmine, Cameron’s answer was clear.
“Very, very good,” he said. “They’re the best team of our first four opponents.”
The Bells currently hold a 3-0 record, and have outscored their opponents in their first three games 132-41.
In last year’s CCS Large School Division, San Benito lost to Piedmont Hills 21-14. In the second game of the season this year, Bellarmine, a CCS Open Division qualifier in 2006, beat Piedmont Hills 42-0.
Additionally, the Bells have won the last two contests against San Benito. After a 17-7 ‘Baler win in 2004, Bellarmine has won two straight, including a 37-15 triumph in 2005, and last year’s 21-17 come-from-behind win.
And with an eye on last season’s contest, Cameron knows the ‘Balers will have to play error-free football to beat the private school from the West Catholic Athletic League.
“If we’re not mistake-free, it’ll be a long night,” Cameron said. “We need to play a helluva football game.
“I think we can play with these guys, and beat these guys. But we need to play the best game of the season.”
Last season, San Benito held a 10-0 lead late in the first half, but left a crack in the door that let the Bells back in.
Bellarmine blocked a punt deep in ‘Baler territory and recovered the ball in San Benito’s end zone to get on the scoreboard, and likely shift momentum, just before the half.
With the score still at 10-7 early in the fourth quarter, Bellarmine’s Kevin Gonzales picked off a pass and returned it 67 yards for a touchdown, giving the Bells a 14-10 lead.
While San Benito would regain the lead later in the game, Gonzales, this time on the offensive end, caught a 19-yard game-winning score.
Gonzales, fortunately, has moved on, but it’s clear San Benito will need to bring a blemish-free game tonight at San Jose City College.
This year, Cameron mentioned the ability of running back Usua Amanam, and the plethora of play formations the Bellarmine offense will likely throw at the ‘Baler D.
For one, Cameron mentioned the spread offense, “which we’ve seen every single week,” he said, as well as the toss offense. In that formation, all 11 guys are squeezed within eight yards of each other. In other words, it’s the exact opposite of the spread.
“Compressed,” Cameron said of the toss offense. “The toss, the spread, double wideout, double tight, and maybe even some wing-T.”
Whatever formation the offense lines up in, San Benito will have to stop it to keep the scoring-spree Bellarmine offense out of the end zone, and off of the scoreboard.
The game will also mark the end to the preseason schedule, as San Benito will play at Alvarez the following week.
“This will give us a chance to see how far we’ve come from the first week,” Cameron said. “Last week, we rose to the occasion, but can we do it Friday?”
