By KEVIN NARRO
Staff Writer
SAN BENITO — While the task was a daunting one, the San Benito Greyhounds did not back down from the third-ranked Converse Judson Rockets on Friday night.
The Rockets took advantage of three first-half interceptions, including a pick-six from Joewel Crawford, and a 89-yard touchdown reception from Antony Shelton to earn a 69-18 win in the Class 6A Division I regional playoff.
Judson next meets the winner between Weslaco High and Lake Travis. The two will meet later today at the Alamodome.
“Our kids are always ready to come out and play,” San Benito coach Dan Gomez said. “It is our job as coaches to put them in the best possible position to be successful. All I can ask for is commitment and grit, and they did that.”
San Benito finishes the season with an 8-5 record, a second-place finish in District 32-6A, and back-to-back area and bi-district titles.
Much like last week’s explosive second quarter against San Antonio Reagan, the Rockets put together a 28-point second quarter.
UTSA commit Sincere McCormick ran for two TDs, including a dazzling 29-yard score that displayed his quick feet and smooth running.
The ’Hounds made some noise when senior linebacker Albert Mercado recovered a fumble and returned it to the Rockets’ 13-yard line.
A few plays later, the ’Hounds went for it on fourth-and-3 but couldn’t cash in. During the second half, Jacob Cavazos ran for a pair of scores and hit running back Kyler Castillja for a touchdown.
“We just played our game,” senior quarterback Jacob Cavazos said. “We knew they were a great team, but coach told us to not back down. I’m going to miss the brotherhood on this team, and I’m thankful to have had the chance to play for the Greyhounds.”
The ’Hounds will lose a handful of seniors to graduation, including Cavazos, wideouts Mitch Guajardo and Frankie Garcia, and defensive players AJ Garcia, Albert Mercado and Nick Castaneda, to name a few.
“These kids are committed to excellence,” Gomez said. “Yes, we want to win, but when the season is over and you reflect, the real part of it is when the kids give it your all, and we will get back to work and keep working.”
Garcia who wrapped up a strong career, leaves behind a strong work ethic and leadership for the underclassman to build on.
“It was an honor to play for the Greyhounds,” Garcia said. “I’m so proud of our city, on how they supported us, and to all my teammates and coaches, I’m thankful for it all. It was a great four years, we can look to each other and say we gave it our all, and to the younger guys, do it for your teammates, family and city.”
Gomez’s message was simple to the underclassmen, and that was to work just as hard.
“It is the same every year, just keep working, and we are going to work harder than we have last year and work even harder than we did the previous year,” Gomez said.
Returning to the lineup will be Smiley Silva, who looks to lead the ’Hounds under center as a senior next fall, along with soon-to-be-junior Kyler Castilleja, who broke out as a sophomore, along with a majority of the team’s offensive line.