By KEVIN NARRO
Staff Writer
SAN BENITO — The San Benito Greyhounds shook off a fumble, missed field goal and penalties during the first quarter, and leaned on the rushing attack of senior quarterback Jacob Cavazos and sophomore running back Kyler Castilleja in a 46-20 Class 6A Division I bi-district win over Edinburg High on Friday night at Bobby Morrow Stadium.
“It is just a matter of the kids adjusting to the moment,” San Benito coach Dan Gomez said. “You always have kids where this is their first playoff game as a varsity football player, and we always say whoever adapts to the atmosphere first will have more positives that negatives.”
The ’Hounds have now won four straight bi-district titles and will meet the winner of the game between Laredo United South or PSJA North. The two will meet at 5 p.m. today.
“For us seniors, this is a great feeling,” Cavazos said. “At first we were a little nervous, but it was more excitement than anything. Our guys all stepped up and pulled through. We didn’t want our season to be over.”
After Castilleja broke off a 67-yard run, the ’Hounds missed a field goal and later fumbled a punt to give the ball back to Edinburg High.
After a defensive stop, Castilleja put the ’Hounds on the board with a 12-yard run.
San Benito’s defense made big play after big play and stopped, Edinburg High on fourth-and-1. During the first half, the ’Hounds’ defense yielded just 54 yards of offense.
On the ensuing drive, Cavazos scored a 31-yard touchdown and, on both scores, the ’Hounds went for two and converted, giving San Benito a 16-0 lead in the final seconds of the first quarter.
During the second quarter, the ’Hounds looked more like the team to which fans have come accustomed.
“As the kids settled into the game, we were able to get going.” Gomez said.
The ’Hounds racked up a safety, and Cavazos ran for a score and displayed his ability to extend the play when he rolled out of the pocket and hit a wide-open Mitch Guajardo for a 22-yard score.
The 16-point second quarter is what San Benito needed to help keep the Bobcats at bay.
On the night, Castilleja ran for 113 yards and three scores, and Cavazos ran for 127 yards to go along with two rushing touchdowns and one passing.
“We always tell (Kyler) to not run like a sophomore. Tonight he ran the ball well. We know what he is capable of and once we knew we got things going on offense, we know we have the kids to make things happen,” Gomez said.
District 31-6A’s leading rusher, Hearlin Benavides, wrapped up his career with a 240-yard, three-touchdown performance for the Bobcats.
With the bi-district win, the ’Hounds are 5-0 at home in the playoffs under Gomez.
“The community is great and the fans are fantastic, they are very passionate and prideful in their kids and the athletic programs, so we do our best to play our best for them, and the kids know that and take pride in it,” Gomez said.