(Courtesy photo/Hector Avila)
By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR.
Special to the NEWS
On Friday, Aug. 30, the San Benito Greyhound Varsity Football Team hosted the PSJA North Raiders in a non-district gridiron battle at Bobby Morrow Stadium opening the 2024 Texas High School Football Season.
Last season, PSJA North finished with an impressive 12-1 record, losing in the regional semifinals to the Brownsville Veterans, 45-28, while San Benito finished with a stellar 10-2 record, including a 58-42 loss to Laredo United in the Bi-District round.
The Raiders entered Friday’s game riding an RGV-leading 23-game regular season winning streak.
The Greyhounds struck first, however, with a three-yard touchdown run by Gabriel Covarrubias — his first and only carry of the night.
The Raiders responded with their own touchdown run, but the extra point try was blocked by the Greyhounds, making it a 7-6 game.
San Benito extended its lead to 14-6 in the second quarter on an 11-yard touchdown run by running back Tommy Ramirez (six carries, 23 yards, one TD).
PSJAN backup QB, freshman Drayden Espinoza, came in for one play for starting QB, Darren Garcia (7-for-12, 79 yards, one TD) who was recovering on the sidelines after a big hit. Espinoza made the most of his one snap as he connected with wide receiver Bryan Guerrero for a 33-yard touchdown.
Garcia came back into the game and found his wide receiver for the two-point conversion as the teams headed into the locker room with the game tied at 14.
The Greyhounds were hanging tough against arguably the best team in the RGV. Unfortunately for San Benito, the Raiders exploded with a big third quarter, outscoring the Greyhounds, 22-2.
San Benito scored once more in the fourth quarter as quarterback Tyler Ruiz (16-of-27 for 148 yards, and one TD) connected with receiver Chrisitan Estrada (seven receptions, 59 yards, and one TD) for a nine-yard TD reception. The final score read: PSJAN 42, San Benito 22.
Things will not get easier in week two for San Benito as the Greyhounds drive up to central Texas to take on #4 state-ranked Austin Westlake today (Friday, Sept. 6). Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. The Chaparrals dispatched #15 state-ranked Prosper 35-14 in their week one matchup.
“I need to do a better job preparing my team to play four quarters of football,” said San Benito Head Football Coach Dan Gomez. Looking forward to this week’s matchup, Coach Gomez said, “Our athletes have never backed down from a challenge.”
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