And one of the most unlikely sources of that spark, sophomore defensive lineman A.J. Garcia, proved to be just the guy.
The opportunistic No. 90 pounced on a fumble then two plays later caught the game’s first score as the Greyhounds eventually ran away from Harlingen South 28-0 on Friday night at Boggus Stadium.
The win keeps San Benito (7-0 overall, 4-0 District 32-6A) perfect atop the league while running its regular-season win streak to 12 games. Next week’s home finale against Brownsville Hanna precedes two tough road games at Weslaco and Harlingen.
But the ’Hounds’ latest win didn’t come all that easy. They struggled offensively out of the gate with two three-and-outs sandwiched around a seven-minute, 17-play South odyssey that resulted in zero points and relied on its hard-hitting stoppers to hold down the fort against the feisty Hawks (4-3, 1-3).
“Defense wins championships and our guys know that,” San Benito head coach Dan Gomez said. “We knew we had to play good defense against them (South). They’re a good team that plays us tough. Our coaching staff did a great job adjusting to what they (South) did well.”
After a three-and-out to start the game, South began its march and methodically moved the ball with a couple of third-down conversions and one on fourth-down as well. But the promising drive stalled. San Benito gave it back immediately with another punt.
Enter Garcia.
Stud linebacker Emilio Garza was in the face of Hawk QB Brandon Villarreal, forcing a fumble, which Garcia fell on inside the Hawks 10. Two plays later, Garcia snuck out in the flat to haul in the game’s first score with 1:33 to go in the first stanza.
Later, another Hawk possession ended on downs, and War Dog QB Erick Retta quickly hit Tyron Harper, who outran the South defense en route to a 54-yard TD reception and a 14-0 lead at the 8:32 mark of the second.
The score remained the same until late in the half when South threatened once again, getting inside the Greyhound 15-yard line. But halfback Adrian Torres was picked off in the end zone by San Benito’s Payne Guajardo to thwart the chance.
In the second half, the Green Birds tallied a 12-play drive, but again wound up empty. SB’s Harper scored an insurance TD with 4:51 to go in the game and Marcelino Morales capped the scoring on a 1-yard plunge with seconds left.