By ALBERT VILLEGAS
Special to the NEWS
The San Benito Greyhound Varsity Football Team now enters District 32-6A play after five non-district games produced a 3-2 record.
In true San Benito form, coaches scheduled two teams from outside the Rio Grande Valley, including Laredo Alexander (lost 28-7) and Odessa High (won 32-28). Both the SB offense and defense have played superbly.
The offense is averaging 21 points per game, and the defense has nearly 10 turnovers, thanks to constant quarterback pressure and the secondary forcing fumbles. If there is a concern so far, it may be special teams on kickoffs, as the opposition has returned the ball into SB territory.
Senior kicker Francisco Barrientos has been in several of those stops that looked like sure touchdown returns. He also has eight point-after kicks and seven field goals. A single-game record in Class 6A-5A was set against Odessa when Barrientos nailed six field goals.
Another special-teams bright spot was Antonio Leija’s fumble recovery on a punt play in the Vela game. Henry Quiroz was involved in the initial contact that forced the fumble.
OFFENSE
SBHS Head Coach Dan Gomez has used three quarterbacks due to injuries to starters Albert Gonzalez and Diego Lopez in the first two games against the Edcouch-Elsa Yellowjackets (won 20-14) and the Edinburg Vela Sabercats (lost 55-25). The two showed promise when they were under center.
The senior Gonzalez almost had 100 yards passing in his Edcouch-Elsa game, going six-of-13. He showed his proficiency, rushing for around 114 yards in his only game.
Gonzalez had served as the varsity quarterback since his sophomore year.
Lopez came in late in the Edcouch-Elsa season opener and played in the first half against Vela.
Sophomore Robert Lozano has now taken the lead and played in four games, passing for about 180 yards against Vela and 130 yards against Odessa. He nearly passed for 100 yards against the Harlingen South Hawks (who won 21-15).
Gomez and his offensive coaches have implemented the passing game more than in the past couple of seasons, each of which produced two district wins and a postseason berth.
The underclassman Lozano has found his receivers more than 40 times and is completing more than half his passes. Eight different players have caught passes so far, with running backs such as Axel Hernandez, Carter Green, and Emmanuel Trejo sometimes getting the assignments.
Sophomore Sonny Ratliff has gotten most of the calls, catching 20 passes for about 250 yards and a touchdown.
Others who have caught passes include Joziah Davis, Raul Villanueva, and Angel Garcia. Jason Lopez also has a TD reception.
SB’s offense averages more than 270 yards per game. It helps when running backs like Hernandez, Green, and Gabriel Garza make productive plays for big yardage.
Lozano has five interceptions, some coming from scrambles to avoid a sack.
DEFENSE
Fortunately for Lozano, he has defensive players who salivate at the chance to create offensive chaos.
Gomez and his defensive coaches are teaching the players to force fumbles in any form, including punching out or literally taking the ball away from a runner in stride. Defensive back Juan Gonzalez and linebacker Pedro Suarez have been culprits in such plays against the Yellowjackets and Odessa.
Among the ‘Hounds who have fumble recoveries are defensive back Quiroz and linebacker Josh Castillo, with the latter returning the opportunity for a score against Odessa.
So far, interceptions have come from Quiroz, defensive lineman Josue Montelongo, and defensive backs Adam King and Santiago Cruz.
Defensive linemen Ramon De La Rosa and Castillo have earned sacks.
SB scheduled a bye week following its last game in San Marcos against Odessa.
Coach Gomez said the team’s play has improved, but understands that the most important part of the season is still ahead.
“There’s no rest for the weary; we still have a lot of work to do. We’re only halfway through the season,” Coach Gomez said.
SB now hosts the Brownsville Veterans Memorial Chargers, who are three years removed from reaching the Class 5A Division 1 state semifinals.
Last year in district play, the ‘Hounds secured a come-from-behind victory at Sams Stadium against Veterans with 11 seconds left. The win secured SB’s 12th consecutive playoff berth, all in Class 6A.