KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer
SAN BENITO — While the temperatures dipped Friday and a hazy drizzle covered Bobby Morrow Stadium, San Benito’s special teams heated up and help set the tone.
Jacob Cavazos ran for three first-half scores, and that along with two blocked punts helped lift the Greyhounds to a 35-8 win over the Los Fresnos Falcons.
The Falcons end their season with a 1-4 district record and they will miss the playoffs for the first time in 13 seasons, a first under third-year coach Patrick Brown.
San Benito (4-1) will host Edinburg High at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the bi-district round of the Class 6A playoffs. With Brownsville Hanna’s win over Harlingen South, the Eagles secured the District 32-6A title outright. San Benito finished second in district play.
“Anytime you get a win it is great, especially right before the playoffs,” San Benito coach Dan Gomez said. “We are going to work off of that and we have some things we need to work on, and we are going to get them fixed and get ready for next week.”
AJ Garcia and Zach Galvan each blocked a punt on the Falcons’ two first possessions, and the ’Hounds took advantage.
Justin Torres recovered the ball after the first block in the back of the end zone for a 7-0 lead.
“It is definitely something we work on each week in practice,” Gomez said. “Our coaches do a great job of game-planning and preparing the kids.”
After Garcia blocked the second punt, Cavazos ran in for a 19-yard score on the next play, giving the ’Hounds an early 14-0 lead.
Cavazos’ other two scores helped San Benito build a comfortable 28-0 halftime lead. During the second half, junior QB Smiley Silva took over at quarterback and, on the opening possession, found the end zone on a 23-yard run that gave San Benito a 35-0 lead.
Gomez, who is in his fifth year, has reached the playoffs in each season under his direction. The ’Hounds have won three straight bi-district titles and have reached the third round twice.
San Benito last met Edinburg High in the 2016 bi-district round, when the ’Hounds won 47-10.
“We respect our opponent, no matter who it is,” Gomez said. “Whether they are struggling or the best team in Texas, our job is to prepare each week like we are going up against the best, and that is what we are going to do. We are playing good football at the right time, and we are going to keep plugging away and hopefully play a clean game on all three phases to give us a chance next week.”