(Courtesy photo/T.J. Tijerina)
By ALBERT VILLEGAS
Special to the NEWS
LOS FRESNOS, TX —The San Benito Greyhounds fell in their second District 32-6A game, this time to the Falcons, 45-17, representing the second most points the Falcons have allowed a Valley team to score this season.
Unfortunately for the ‘Hounds, they faced a Falcons’ offense that amassed over 400 yards of offense.
The ‘Hounds turned in a decent offensive performance countering with underclassmen at key positions.
“We’ve been exhausting all our resources to prepare and play in our games,” San Benito Head Coach Dan Gomez said. “All our kids do a good job; they do what coaches ask them to do and give it their all.”
The ‘Hounds once again found themselves facing a deficit in the scoreboard. Los Fresnos scored on its first three offensive drives throughout the first half for a 21-0 lead.
San Benito’s offense scored on its fourth drive of the game after being forced to punt three consecutive times.
Up until the ‘Hounds’ initial score that came with 4:33 left in the second quarter, the offensive yards were tallied by only junior quarterback Tyler Ruiz and sophomore running back Carter Green.
The coaching staff saw an opportunity to score deep in Los Fresnos territory on a fourth down, as coach Gomez called on Ruiz to keep the ball as he found the end zone from five yards out. It was Ruiz’s seventh rushing carry up to that point. He finished with more than 65 rushing yards in the game.
Green, who started for the first time this season, had a dozen rushing carries up until San Benito’s first scoring drive, only one of them for negative yardage. Green earned around 75 yards rushing in the game.
With a 24-6 deficit and 1:09 left before halftime, the ‘Hounds again produced points on their next possession. It was more impressive that it came with little time remaining.
Ruiz on the drive completed three passes to senior wide receivers Jacob Guerra and Justin Montemayor.
The drive stalled with seconds remaining, but junior kicker Elias Olvera made up for it, booting a 46-yard field goal attempt.
The Falcons trailed by two scores at 24-9, with San Benito gaining some momentum. It was compounded by its defensive performance in the early stages of the second half.
Los Fresnos had its first fourth down play and forced punt of the game three minutes into the third quarter.
Ruiz was no longer under center to begin the ‘Hounds’ offensive drive. The duties went to sophomore Albert Gonzalez, who completed two of three passes for positive yards and a first down.
With the possession at Los Fresnos’ 38-yard line, the San Benito drive stalled following a run for negative yards, as the ’Hounds were forced to punt.
Los Fresnos scored on its next drive, and following a point after attempt, had a 31-9 advantage.
The Falcons scored twice more on rushing plays in the final quarter.
The San Benito fans, however, continued to get a glimpse of what the future can bring utilizing mostly non-senior athletes.
The ’Hounds scored on their second offensive possession that used up a chunk of the third and fourth quarter clock.
Gonzalez and Ruiz connected on eight of nine plays through the air and ground. Seniors Christian Estrada and Jaime Saldivar also contributed on a catch and run.
Ruiz (55 yards receiving) closed out San Benito scoring for the game on a one-yard run with 9:21 left in the game.
Gonzalez was 6-of-7 on pass completions for 55 yards. He had 26 yards rushing on six carries.
The Greyhounds, which are 1-1 in district, have a bye this week, and will suit up again when they host the Brownsville Veterans Memorial Chargers (6-2 overall, 2-0 district), on Friday, Nov. 1.
San Benito closes out the district portion of its schedule at Harlingen, Friday, Nov. 8.
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