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Riding a strong defensive performance and a four-quarter touchdown, the Hollister High football team secured a 27-20 win over Wilcox High on Sept. 11 at Andy Hardin Stadium.
With the victory, the Balers improved to 3-0 on the season and snapped a lengthy losing streak to the Chargers spanning more than six seasons.
Meanwhile, the junior varsity team also defeated the Chargers, winning 42-14 to improve its overall record to 2-0.
Interim head coach Chris Cameron, who took the helm a day earlier after head coach Thomas Sullivan was placed on leave as the school district conducts an investigation involving the football program, said he was happy with the team’s performance and ability to run the football.
“I knew (the Chargers) were going to be a really good football team, we know they can run the ball. We bent, but didn’t break,” Cameron said.
Wilcox opened the game with possession, scoring 4:25 into the first quarter when senior running back Elijah Vallejo rushed the ball into the end zone from the Baler one-yard line. Chargers safety Brandon Martinez made the extra point, putting Wilcox up 7-0.
The Balers responded when the Chargers fumbled a punt return at the Wilcox 36-yard line. Senior quarterback Elijah Lovejoy completed a pass to junior wide receiver Ethan Jimenez, who ran the ball into the end zone for the Balers’ first touchdown of the night. Junior kicker Henry Hernandez made the extra point, leveling the score at 7-7.
The Chargers regained the lead in the second quarter with a rushing touchdown from Vallejo. Martinez missed the extra-point attempt, putting Wilcox up 13-7.
Senior cornerback Nathaniel Baxter then surprised the Chargers offense by intercepting a pass from freshman quarterback Haris Omeragic at the Wilcox 30-yard line and returning it to the end zone for a pick-six. The Balers were unsuccessful on the extra-point attempt, tying the game 13-13 heading into halftime.
In the third quarter, Lovejoy completed a pass to senior tight end Cuauhtemoc Villagomez for the Balers’ third touchdown of the night. Hernandez made the extra point, giving the Balers a 20-13 lead.
On the following Wilcox drive, the Baler defense capitalized on the momentum. Outside linebacker Elias Nelmida recorded a tackle, and defensive lineman Jacob Perez sacked the Chargers quarterback, forcing Wilcox to punt.
In the fourth quarter, strong safety Benjamin Candelaria intercepted the ball at the Wilcox 38-yard line and returned it to the 10-yard line. Junior wingback Damian Aragon followed by carrying the ball into the end zone for the Balers’ fourth touchdown. Hernandez made the extra point to extend the Balers’ lead to 27-13.
Cameron said the team “executed the play perfectly” on the final Baler touchdown.
“*Wilcox) defended really well and we executed it a little bit better than they defended it and we ended up scoring on the play,” Cameron said.
With less than six minutes left in the fourth quarter, Chargers junior quarterback Aysh Garg completed a long pass to sophomore wide receiver Myles Cheney, who scored on a 55-yard touchdown reception to cut the Baler lead to seven.
In the final minutes of the game, the Balers offense held off the Chargers, marching down the field with short-yardage gains to maintain possession. Lovejoy took a knee with less than a minute remaining to secure the 27-20 win.
“Good Baler football teams over the years have been teams that can run the football, especially in the fourth quarter when you have to put the game away and I think we did a really good job today,” Cameron said.
Overall, the Baler offense amassed 263 yards with Jimenez leading the team in receiving yards with 36 and senior running back Demetrius Frink leading the rushing attack with 74 yards. Lovejoy completed five of 12 passes and rushed for 16 yards. Hernandez went 4-for-5 on extra-point attempts.
The Baler defense had a big night with two interceptions, one sack and four fumble recoveries.
Asked how Balers handled the adversity resulting from the late switch in coaches, Benjamin Candelaria said the team was “unbothered” and “ready to win” coming into the game.
“Everybody wanted more than the other team,” Nathan said. “We played hard-nosed football, we hit them hard and we’re keeping our heads up.”
Cameron credited the coaching staff for the win and the team’s success so far.
“All our coaches on defense, our coaches on offense, these guys just did a great job,” Cameron said. “They’ve gotten this team to this point, not me.”
Cameron said he wants the team to stay focused going into next week and “come out here ready to go on Monday because it’s a new team, a new plan.”
The Balers open Pacific Coast Athletic League Gabilan division play by hosting the Alisal High Trojans on Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Andy Hardin Stadium.
BenitoLink thanks our underwriter, Hollister Rotary, for helping expand the sports coverage around San Benito County. Rotary is a nonprofit organization that conducts humanitarian projects, encourages high ethical standards, and works toward world understanding. All editorial decisions are made by BenitoLink.
The BenitoLink Internship Program is a paid, skill-building program that prepares local youth for a professional career. This program is supported by Monterey Peninsula Foundation AT&T Golf Tour and Taylor Farms.
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