Smithson Valley shuts out San Benito, 51-0
John Kastner
Before an estimated crowd of 11,000 screaming fans, the Smithson Valley Rangers dominated four quarters of rugged Texas high school football against a hapless San Benito eleven Friday afternoon in the Alamodome and utilized the passing of ace Zach Bailey and the defensive punch of Joe Pawelek and Calvin Gore to eliminate the Hounds, 51-0.
"We were knocking at the door in every quarter," stressed Smithson Valley Coach Larry Hill, "however we did miss some scoring chances that we should have gotten into the end zone, but overall our kids did an outstanding job and played a tremendous ball game."
To prove just how effective the stout defensive line of the Rangers was, especially Gore and Pawelek who drove huge holes into the San Benito offense, the Rangers held the Hounds to only 63 total yards offense.
Once again it was a total team effort, as Bailey connected on five paydirts and a total of 224 yards.
"We just couldn't contain Bailey all afternoon," said San Benito Coach Mario Pena, "every time he got the ball, he ran for big yardage and found some way to score he's just an outstanding quarterback with a bright future."
The Rangers punched across their first tally early in the first quarter with 9:23 remaining when Zack Bailey bulled over the one-yard line after a solid drive and excellent defensive leadership by Gore and Pawelek once again. David Sweet booted the uprights and it was 7-0.
Opportunity was knocking at the door again for the Rangers with 3:15 left when Sweet connected on a 30-yard field goal to cement a 10-0 lead.
The Rangers tallied twice in the second stanza, the first coming with 11:54 left as another awesome drive and a 19-yard flip from Bailey to Cody Beyer and a David Sweet kick made it 17-0. Then, with 8:21 remaining, Andrew Sendejo returned a 50-yard punt and smashed into the end zone and Sweet once again hit the uprights for a 24-0 lead.
It didn't take the Rangers long after halftime to rattle the Alamodome scoreboard once again, this time Bailey scampered one yard and Sweet connected for 31-0 showing with 6:57 left. Then with 5:01 remaining in the third, Bailey found Beyer once again this time on an 18-yarder and Sweet kicked again for a 38-0 mark.
However those 11,000 screaming fans wanted more action and action is what they got in the last frame via Bailey once again. Reagan Moczygemba got into the scoring act for the first time this afternoon, taking a Bailey 20-yard pass into the zone and Curtis Howard hit the uprights with 11:33 left.
Coach Hill and crew had more up their sleeves as far as scoring was concerned. Stephen Hall dashed 13 yards on a p ass from Bailey after a Brian Hill kick failed with 4:38 to end the scoring overall for the Rangers in the contest.
"This was a tremendous game for us," said Bailey, "our receivers were wide open which was great for me to throw the ball all afternoon."
"We gave some of our players that haven't played that much all season long an opportunity to play here this afternoon," Coach Hill stated.
The Rangers compiled a total of 351 yards, had only three penalties called for 20 yards and did not fumble a modest sign of a quality team.
This Saturday the Rangers take their air-show to Farris Stadium for a
crucial encounter with the Taft Raiders in a Regional IV5A championship
showdown slated for 2 p.m. Tickets are on sale until 2 p.m. Friday at Smithson
Valley High School.
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