These two words are easily said and repeated often when one is confronted with a challenge. Many times these two words may seem dull or pointless, especially in sports.
On Friday night, the San Benito Greyhounds didn’t quit.
The San Benito Greyhounds didn’t quit when all seemed lost in the biggest game of the season thus far.
And because they didn’t quit, the San Benito Greyhounds are Battle of the Arroyo Champions after one of the most dramatic comeback wins in the 85-year history of the series.
Armando Medrano hauled in a 29-yard scoring pass from Cristian Sierra with 34 seconds left to cap an incredible five minutes by the ‘Hounds in the game that matters most to just about everyone in the Resaca City. The 25-21 victory is surely one of the most amazing in recent memory.
Undoubtedly, Medrano’s name will now be right alongside 1995 hero Jason Montemayor after one of the most important touchdown catches in San Benito football history. Montemayor’s TD helped end a 28-year Battle drought, but Medrano’s is just as sweet.
Surrounded by cameras, Medrano was caught up in the moment and it still might not have sunk in by the time this story is read.
“We executed the play and the ball was perfect,” an aw-shucks Medrano said afterward. “I didn’t know it was coming to me. I looked up and saw the ball but I was confident I would catch it.”
But all of the work put in to even get the chance to win the game was a thing of beauty. The ‘Hounds overcame some questionable calls that wiped out two touchdowns earlier in the game and some of their own self-inflicted wounds began to sting. Eventually, they were all-but-dead, down 18 points midway through the fourth quarter after a marvelous 94-yard touchdown run by Harlingen’s Michael Allen Gonzalez, San Benito went to work.
San Benito mounted a 12-play drive which ended with a 5-yard run by Gabriel Vasquez, a score many felt was akin to a “garbage time” score. Matthew Yzaguirre caught the conversion pass and the score was 21-11 Cardinals with 5:07 left.
“Don’t quit” could be heard on the Greyhound sideline from coaches and players alike.
Then the Greyhound defense, a bit dejected after allowing Gonzalez’s long run, forced a three-and-out as Harlingen ran it three times to chew clock.
“Don’t quit” and “Don’t give up” echoed just a bit louder.
Then with 3:25 to go, San Benito dinked and dunked its way down the field and Sierra lofted a pass and R.J. Atkinson, celebrating his birthday, went up and made a sensational grab for a 28-yard touchdown. The PAT was good and it was 21-18 with 1:08 to go.
“Don’t give up” “Let’s do this” and “We got this” could barely be heard as the San Benito faithful who stuck around were in a frenzy.
It came down to the foot of Alejandro Lugo, who would attempt an onside kick.
Lugo hit a perfect dribbler up the middle as it somersaulted along the Bobby Morrow Stadium turf. A Cardinal made a go at it, but the ball squirted free and San Benito pounced on it at its own 44 yard line with 1:07 to go.
Sierra trotted out and two plays later threw an interception which many felt ended the game. But a pass interference penalty gave them new life.
They didn’t quit.
A couple plays later, Sierra found Medrano for the glorious touchdown that will be talked about for years to come.
But it all started by believing, feeling and carrying out those two little words.
“Never quit, and always push through,” Medrano said when asked what the sideline message was. “When something went bad, we just had to keep going.”