(Courtesy photo/Hector Avila)
By ALBERT VILLEGAS
Special to the NEWS
The San Benito Greyhounds and the Laredo United Longhorns came into their non-district game Friday night at Bobby Morrow Stadium seeking to rebound from non-district losses last week. It was the host Greyhounds, however, who are still seeking their first win of the season as they were shutout, 28-0.
United quarterback Jorge Luna passed for more than 200 yards off 25 completions to lead his team to victory and a 2-1 overall record. He also threw three touchdown passes of 25, 22, and 5 yards to three different receivers.
United scored on its first possession of the game and never trailed against San Benito, which fell to 1-2 this season.
The Longhorns’ running attack, however, did get stuffed time and again by the Greyhounds’ defense. It was one of the positives that San Benito fans took away from the game, as San Benito held its opponent to around 50 total rushing yards.
But for the Greyhound faithful, it was hard to fathom that San Benito would get shutout as it did penetrate the United side of the field in back-to-back possessions before halftime.
The ‘Hounds were successful in making good on a fourth down play after running back Gabriel Covarrubias had a 22-yard run to the United 40-yard line. But they would fail on their second fourth down play at the United 37 as San Benito quarterback Tyler Ruiz failed to connect on a pass attempt.
Ruiz had more than 30 pass attempts and over 10 completions. He had an interception, but it came on a last ditch effort on the game’s final play.
The only time the Greyhounds threatened to score in the first half was on their second possession when a 43-yard field goal came short of the goal post.
San Benito then fumbled on a punt return that gave it its third offensive possession. The turnover and short field paved the way for United to have a two-touchdown cushion at the 4:22 mark of the second quarter.
San Benito turned the ball over once more before halftime, as United went on to score two more touchdowns in the second half. San Benito’s only threat to score in the second half came on its initial offensive possession.
The team took the drive all the way to the United 20-yard line, but came up short on a fourth down after Ruiz wasn’t able to connect with his receiver in the end zone.
San Benito head coach Dan Gomez said he pointed to himself for the loss, and not the players. “It’s on me as a coach, this loss. I take full responsibility for this,” Gomez said. “Our players did continue to fight on the football field, but I have to do a better job of preparing the team.”
San Benito players and coaches now set their sights on a homecoming game against the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon (UANL) Tigres, a team based out of Monterrey, Mexico. The game is set for Friday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m.
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