ATHERTON, CA — The Bryan Smith era got underway and if judging by one game is any indication, San Benito High chose the right guy.
Smith’s squad faced a tough challenge in the reigning three-time Central Coast Section champions, Sacred Heart Prep, but behind a stout defense and a solid running game San Benito came out on top.
San Benito combined to rush for 338 yards on 42 carries and Isaac Regalado had a 100-yard interception return for a score as the visiting Haybalers defeated host SHP 30-12 Saturday afternoon in Atherton.
“It’s sweet he deserves it,” San Benito running back Hunter Nye said of winning the first game under Smith. “He pushes us all year and he’s a great coach.”
Nye set the tone rushing for a game-high 141 yards on 17 carries including a touchdown, while Albert Lopez rushed for 99 yards on nine carries, including an 80-yard touchdown run to start the second half.
Just when it looked like SHP was on the verge of making it a one-score game with just over four minutes to play, Regalado intercepted a Thomas Wine pass in the end zone, all but ending the Gators’ chance of a comeback.
Regalado predicted he was going to make a play to impact the game, and sure enough the senior did it.
“Me and my free safety had a conversation and I told him I was going to end this game right now,” Regaldo said. “He said he was going to lead block and that’s how it happened. Our defense is so solid and if we continue to play the way we did today we’re going somewhere.”
San Benito led SHP 16-6 going into halftime.
The Gators found themselves in an even bigger hole following Lopez’s 80-yard touchdown run to start the second half, but got the game within two scores when they responded with a 14-play, 79-yard drive that was capped by a Garrett Gavello five-yard touchdown run.
SHP, who was without star running back Isoa Moimoi - who missed the game nursing a hamstring injury - struggled on the ground, rushing for 118 yards on 41 carries.
Wine threw for 184 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions on 12-of-24 passing for SHP.
“We’re still working through some things on offense and defense,” Wine said. “But I’m really proud of how we played today. I thought we put in a lot of hard work and I think as the season goes on we’ll see a product of that.”
Wine credited San Benito’s defense, who had three sacks, two interceptions and kept constant pressure on the Gators on both sides of the ball.
“They are really good,” Wine said. “We knew their d-line was really tough and they played us really tough. They are a stout defense and have really good football players.”
SHP kept themselves in the game by creating three turnovers on defense. Schafer Kraemer, Kyler Stalder and James Kirkham each had a fumble recovery.
Dominic Cacchione caught six passes for 116 yards and a touchdown while Kevin Tinsley added four catches for 57 yards in the loss for SHP.
SHP (0-1) will face Riordan (0-1) in a rematch of last year’s Central Coast Section Open Division III title game next Saturday Sept. 3 at 2 p.m. at City College of San Francisco.
Balers quarterback Hunter Raquet threw for 32 yards on 5-of-9 passing including an eight eight-yard touchdown pass to Zack Alnas on San Benito’s first offensive drive of the game.
San Benito (1-0) will host Palo Alto (1-0) next Friday Sept. 2 at 7:30 p.m.
For the short term, Smith is going to enjoy starting his coaching career with a perfect 100 percent winning percentage before getting ready for Paly.
“It’s better than the other way,” Smith said sarcastically after the game. “It means a lot but I hope to be here for a while and I hope the first game doesn’t dictate who I am as a coach. Credit to our guys they played extremely hard for us and played for me, our staff, our community and they played for each other.”
