SAN BENITO — Just when Los Fresnos’s undefeated mark appeared to be in jeopardy, the three-headed attack that is quarterback Jeremy Springer, running back Luis Campos and wideout Esia Rivera rose to the occasion. The trio helped the No. 2-ranked Falcons get past the No. 3 San Benito Greyhounds 38-35 in The Monitor’s Game of the Week at newly-dedicated Bobby Morrow Stadium in San Benito. The game seemed like a mirror-image of a year ago, where the Falcons (6-0 overall, 3-0 in District 32-5A) outlasted the Greyhounds (4-2, 2-1) 45-44. Like last year, this game didn’t disappoint. After blowing a 24-14 halftime lead, and trailing 35-24 with a little over six minutes left in the game, Campos darted down the middle and wiggled his way through the San Benito defense for a 51-yard touchdown run that drew the Falcons to within five points, 35-30, after a failed two-point conversion. "It was huge because it got us to a one-possession game," Los Fresnos coach Scott Ford said of Campos’s touchdown. After a failed onside kick on the ensuing kickoff, the Greyhounds recovered around midfield. But on the next play San Benito coughed up the ball — its only turnover of the game—and Rod Kirkconneol’s fumble recovery helped the Falcons set up the game-winner. From there, Los Fresnos took over at midfield and shot out of the gate quickly. Springer connected with Rivera on a 44-yard sideline route that set up a first-and-goal at the San Benito 6-yard line. Springer and Rivera had been lobbying throughout the game to get the play call. And when they needed a big play, Ford relented. "Esia and Jeremy have been trying to get me to call that all night," Ford said. "It’s really a credit to them." Springer finished with 249 yards on 17-of-31 passing for the night with no scores. Campos led the way on the ground with 17 carries for 159 yards and three touchdown runs. Springer added two rushing touchdowns. Springer put a scare into the Falcons faithful in the third quarter when he went down after an option play. At first, the injury appeared to be very serious, with Springer down for about a minute or two. He walked off very gingerly to the sideline, but returned on the next possession. Rivera finished the game with 7 catches for 133 yards. Overall, Los Fresnos tattooed the San Benito defense for 498 yards — the most allowed by the Greyhounds all year. The Falcons, however, weren’t without turnovers of their own. They had four fumbles, three in the second half, which translated into two scores for the Greyhounds. "It’s something we have to address," Ford said. "I don’t think we deserve the (No. 2) ranking we have." Though last year’s game was a back-and-forth battle, Ford said he didn’t really come into Friday’s game with an idea of how it would play out. "When you play a team like San Benito I don’t think you really expect anything," Ford said. The Los Fresnos line managed to contain all-state defender Joey Nuñez somewhat. Though Nuñez was in much of San Benito’s tackles Friday night, he got to Springer only once. San Benito had a great outing on offense, too, with quarterback Raymond De Los Santos rushing for 101 yards on 16 carries, and throwing for 110 yards on 11-of-24 passing and two touchdowns. Wideout Greg Castillo hauled in seven catches for 74 yards and two touchdowns. With nearly 12,000 in attendance to see the new stadium, and with Olympic legend and San Benito graduate Bobby Morrow in town, the place was a madhouse all night. Fireworks and a halftime celebration dedicated to Morrow helped build the excitement to a fever pitch. ——— Oscar Gonzalez Jr. is the Sports Editor of The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4443. |
