san benito greyhounds (San Benito, Tx)-Many prognosticators across the Rio Grande Valley have pegged the San Benito Greyhounds as the team to beat in a very tough realigned District 31-5A. But that doesn’t motivate the Greyhounds, said head coach Spencer Gantt. The district itself should be enough. “They are well-motivated to being part of the toughest district in the Rio Grande Valley,” Gantt said. “This district is going to bring out the best in both the coaches and the kids across the board.” To top it off, the Greyhounds open their season with non-district battles against Los Fresnos and Harlingen. “Non-district is always a big deal and I want to play the best of the best, right off the bat, to get my season rolling,” Gantt said. San Benito finished 9-3 last year, falling in a tight ballgame to Laredo United in the second round of the playoffs.
One look at the Greyhounds’ roster and it’s easy to see where their strength lies - on defense. Adrian Zuniga and Sam Lopez will be on the defensive ends for the Greyhounds while Rene Chavez (5-10, 210), who amassed 160 tackles last year, will be in the middle at linebacker and joined by another returning starter in Enrique Rodriguez (5-7, 185). The secondary also has some experience with Nate Mireles at safety and Josh Alonzo (5-10, 170), who was used as the Greyhounds’ rover last season but will be at corner this season in the team’s 4-2-5 defensive setup. The offensive returners include four offensive lineman and running back Arturo Coronado (56, 152). Coronado eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark last season. “Anytime you have a 1,000yard returner, that’s a good thing,” Gantt said. “It’s always a little tougher to get the offense
Players to Watch:
LB Rene Chavez, 5,10 210lbs Sr. OL Jason Farias, 6’0 215lbs Sr. DT Pete Lozano 6’2 275lbs Sr.
Returning Lettermen R/L: 25/27 Starters Returning O/D: 6/7 Enrollment: 2,904 State playoffs appearances since 2000: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, & 2011. clicking and a little longer to gel. But we have a good group coming back and a group of young cats coming up to plug in at receiver.” The biggest task during spring football was finding a quarterback to replace Jacob Puente and senior Jesse Jimenez will get the knod. The offense runs out of the spread with four wide receivers and in the shotgun formation.
DidYOUknow? The Greyhounds advanced to the State 5A Div II Regional finals in 2005, losing to Smithson Valley 51-0.
HSSM GAMEDAY SCHEDULES August 31 Los Fresnos September 7 Harlingen 13 McA Mem* 21 PSJA Mem* 28 Nikki Rowe* October 5 PSJA North* 12 Wes East* 19 McAllen* 25 PSJA* November 9 Weslaco*
A H A H A H A H A H
Head coach Spencer Gantt 3rd Season 2011 Overall Record Season 9-3 District 6-1
Advanced to Class 5A Division I Area finals. Lost to Laredo United 24-17.
District 31-5AAAAA
2012
FOOTBALL //////////////////////////////////////////////
San Benito Greyhounds
District 31-5A
Jesse Jimenez San Benito
Isaiah Rodriguez San Benito
Alan Bejavan San Benito
Enrique Rodriguez San Benito
Arturo Coronado San Benito
Jason Farias San Benito
Matthew Hernandez San Benito
Reynaldo Avila San Benito
Pete Lozano San Benito
Josh Huerta San Benito
30 HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE
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