KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer
SAN BENITO — Greyhounds and Bears, oh my.
One of the Rio Grande Valley’s top gunslingers, PSJA High quarterback Trey Guajardo, and San Benito’s rising star, quarterback Jacob Cavazos, went toe to toe during Friday’s primetime matchup, but the night belonged to the running backs.
The ’Hounds overcame a warm, muggy night and used a strong rushing attack led by Frankie Garcia and Kyler Castilleja to steamroll PSJA High 46-20 in San Benito’s 2018 home opener Friday night at Bobby Morrow Stadium.
The ’Hounds (2-1) have won two straight and next play host to Laredo United at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 21.
“It feels good to be back home. We had two long road trips to start the season against some really good programs,” San Benito coach Dan Gomez said. “We opened up at home against a strong team in PSJA, and we were able to have some success against them. It’s a good thing.”
San Benito scored on its first two drives, setting the tone for the night. After recovering a fumble, the ’Hounds scored on the next play via a 30-yard touchdown run from Garcia. On the next drive, Castilleja punched it in from 11 yards out, giving the ’Hounds a 12-0 lead late in the first quarter.
The ’Hounds scored often and early during the first half. After a 39-yard pass and catch to Mitch Guajardo, Cavazos ran for his first of two rushing touchdowns on the night. Cavazos’ score made it 19-3 ’Hounds right before the half.
During the second half, Cavazos picked up where he left off. On their first play of the second half, Cavazos dashed down the sideline for a 76-yard score, and if that didn’t dazzle the crowd, on the next drive, Cavazos hit Garcia for a 64-yard strike, putting the ’Hounds in cruise control, 33-6.
“We have a lot of work to do,” Gomez said. “There are some things we need to clean up. PSJA gave us some challenges, but we were fortunate to come out on top and the kids gave it their best tonight.”
San Benito scored four times from 50 yards or more Friday night. Later in the second half, Cavazos found Garcia again, this time from 57 yards out, then later hit Castilleja on a 55-yard pass.
“Our passing game and running game were clicking tonight,” Garcia said. “We put in our work and watched film and studied. Right now we are feeling good, we come in to practice and we are ready to work. Tonight was our home opener and as a senior there is emotions, but there is always emotions when we play at home. I love playing for San Benito.”