By MARK MOLINA
Staff Writer
SAN BENITO — As the district season kicks off, one of the more anticipated games tonight will be when the Brownsville Hanna Golden Eagles face the San Benito Greyhounds in a battle of 2-1 teams.
The Greyhounds (2-1) dismissed the Golden Eagles (2-1) 39-14 a year ago to open district play, but this year San Benito coach Dan Gomez knows he’s facing a team with the tools to compete in the district.
“They’re a good team playing with a lot of confidence in a well-balanced offense,” Gomez said. “They throw the ball well and run the ball well. They have a three-year starter at quarterback, who is a very smart individual.
“(Hanna) Coach (Rene) Medrano is going to have his boys ready to play and looking to get a win here in San Benito.”
This year, the Golden Eagles are a much-improved group than last year’s 4-6 squad.
Their only blemish came in a 28-27 loss to Donna two weeks ago.
A lot of that success has to do with the arm of senior quarterback Andy Lopez.
Lopez is second in the district with 657 passing yards and seven touchdowns over the first three games.
With district play getting started, he’s looking to up his game.
“Everything magnifies to the tenth power once district starts,” Medrano told the Brownsville Herald this week. “I think he’s handled it really well and I think he’s up to the challenge of handling it. I can see the way he handles himself on and off the field that he has the responsibility it takes.”
The Greyhounds have had a tough pre-district schedule, which featured teams like McAllen memorial and Weslaco East.
Both are run-heavy offenses, so Hanna’s passing attack led by Andy Lopez will present a different look for the San Benito defense.
Despite seeing a lot of running from opposing offenses, which have gained 911 yards against the ‘Hounds, their secondary has been stingy.
The unit, which is loaded with senior experience, has allowed just 89 yards through the air this season.
“Defense is going to set the tone for the season,” Gomez said. “I believe that defense wins championships, so any time you have a few good guys on that side of the ball, it makes the coaches feel better about the team.”
PLUG AND PLAY
Defense is big in San Benito, but offensively, the ‘Hounds are still one of the top two units in 32-6A.
After losing two of their offense’s best weapons from last season in QB Cristian Sierra and running back Gabriel Vasquez, the Greyhounds haven’t missed a beat.
Quarterback J.R. Gaitan and running back Edward Alvarez have combined to score 14 touchdowns so far this season in an offense averaging 480 yards per game.
“It’s the coaching staff,” Gomez said. “You have to surround the team with good men who understand their role as mentor to the kids and our coaches understand that; they’ve built great relationships with the kids. In return, the kids play for them.”