Unfortunately, that team was not San Benito.
Indeed, Schertz Clemens was bigger, faster and more athletic than the Greyhounds and proved too much in a 41-15 decision in their Class 6A Division II regional game at Javelina Stadium.
Clemens got 100-yard rushing nights from quarterback Frank Harris and running back Kamren Baker and used a stifling defense to block San Benito from continuing its phenomenal season.
The Buffaloes (11-2) advance to take on fellow 25-6A mate Cibolo Steele (13-0) in the state quarterfinals next week. The ‘Hounds’ wonderful 2015 run, which included their first area title since 2004, ends at 10-3.
“We’re proud of the kids and we told ’em to never be satisfied with what they accomplish, but always be proud of the journey,” San Benito head coach Dan Gomez said.
Clemens shot out to an eventual 34-0 lead which it took into intermission. Marshawn Brown opened the scoring with a 6-yard run, which was promptly followed by scores from Frank Harris (29-yard run), Kamren Baker’s two-yard run, and a 41-yard, Harris-to-Tommy Bush TD bomb. San Benito had a nice drive thwarted on downs at the Buffaloes’ 2-yard line just before half, and Clemens cashed in with a short TD dive by Harris with 29 ticks before half.
While the Buffaloes certainly made it look effortless behind an experienced, mammoth offensive line, it wasn’t a walk in the park against the Greyhounds, according to their coach.
“What I saw on video, San Benito was aggressive. They’re a great football team that’s coached well,” Clemens head coach Jared Johnston said. “We had to battle for everything we got. We may have scored 41 points, but we had to fight our tail off to get ’em ’til the very end.”
After the break, San Benito, a second-half team virtually all season, showed its grit. The ‘Hounds got great field position at the Clemens 42 which led to their first score. After a gorgeous 41-yard pass play from J.R. Gaitan to Xavier Martinez down to the 1, Gaitan muscled his way in to put War Dog on the board.
On Clemens’ next drive, Greyhound corner Mario Valdez recorded his third interception in two games, giving the ball back to ‘Hounds. A big 39-yard pass to Mando Medrano got San Benito inside the Buffalo 5 again, however two plays later the ‘Hounds fumbled it away.
Later in the fourth, Jose Martinez punched in a seven-yard TD before Gaitan found John Belmares for the conversion with 2:47 to go.
For San Benito, Year Two of the Gomez era proved to be a great leap from the previous one, and has hopefully laid the foundation for years to come.
“It started when we got here and the kids believing in the system and doing what we asked them to do. That carries over year to year and that’s always a good thing because without the kids, then who are we?” Gomez said. “(Our seniors are) a talented group, and their work ethic was fantastic.”