Hard-fought — The San Benito Greyhounds continue to seek their first win of the season after falling to Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL) Auténticos Tigres, 21-3, during San Benito’s homecoming game last week. (Courtesy photos/T.J. Tijerina)
By ALBERT VILLEGAS
Special to the NEWS
A month into the football season, the San Benito Greyhounds have yet to play in any District 32-6A games.
Similar to last year, San Benito begins district play on the second Friday in October against the Brownsville Hanna Eagles.
And akin to this time last year, the ‘Hounds owned a winless record following their homecoming game, falling short against their Mexican counterparts, the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL) Auténticos
Tigres, this time by a 21-3 score.
The homecoming game at Bobby Morrow Stadium was postponed Friday night due to a lengthy power outage and resumed at 11 a.m. the following day. The game resumed in the second quarter.
During the game, the ‘Hounds forced three turnovers, two on defense and one on special teams.
The offense, however, struggled to score a touchdown. Their best chance was on their second possession, but a UANL defender knocked the ball out of San Benito running back Tommy Ramirez’s hands just as he appeared to cross the goal line.
UANL answered with a scoring drive to take a 7-0 lead with 2:36 left before halftime.
There was just enough time left for UANL to force a San Benito punt and to get another offensive possession. The Tigres scored again with no time left in the second quarter for a 14-0 advantage.
‘Hounds’ kicker Francisco Barrientos avoided the shutout in the third quarter when he booted a 43-yard field goal, but SBHS trailed 14-3.
The game was still in question at the end. But when UANL nailed its third score with just over two minutes left, it sealed the ‘Hounds’ fate.
San Benito’s fifth game next Friday will be at home again, this time against the Weslaco Panthers, who are 2-2 on the year.
They, too, have yet to compete in their District 31-6A.
District 32-6A foe comparisons
As far as records go, the Los Fresnos Falcons and the Brownsville Veterans Memorial Chargers remain undefeated, each with a 4-0 mark.
The Harlingen Cardinals and Brownsville Hanna are 1-3 each.
Among the teams the Falcons have beaten are McAllen (34-28), McAllen Rowe (38-24), Laredo United South (45-7), and PSJA (66-16). They play Edinburg and then Sharyland.
The Chargers were victorious against PSJA Memorial (49-0), Stone. Joseph Academy (56-31), Rio Grande City (53-27), and Laredo Alexander (20-17). They next face P-SJ-A and Mission Pioneer.
Harlingen lost its first three games to Weslaco (49-28), Harlingen South (17-0), Edinburg Vela (52-10), before slipping past Laredo United South (24-23) last week. Harlingen now plays Mission Veterans Memorial and then Cuero.
Hanna lost to McAllen Memorial (37-14), Sharyland (28-14), and Edinburg (15-0) before winning for the first time last week against Mission Pioneer (25-22). Hanna plays La Joya and then Mission Veterans Memorial.
1 comment
Well.. as of right now.. Brownsville Vets are 5-0. Los Fresnos is 5-0, Hannah is 2-3, and Cardinals are 1-4. San Benito is the only team in the district without a single win. I don’t see the Hounds winning the division, much less making it to playoffs. Be lucky if they can pull a win against Harlingen and win BOTA. Can’t always place the blame on the new crop of players.. the common denominator here is the head coach. Time San Benito moved on to someone who can take the team further.