The Haybalers football team started out rough but found its groove early in the season. Starting the off the season with a 24-12 loss at Milpitas on Sept. 5, starting wingback Mitchell Cook, broke his collarbone, which forced him out for the season.

“It’s tough watching my team play without me, but offense is doing a good job.”

Lincoln came to Hollister on Sept. 12, and lost to the resurgent Balers 13-12, evening the Balers’ record at 1-1.

The Balers made it two in a row the following week when a 66-yard scoring strike from quarterback Kyle Vallejo to receiver Evan McFadden got the offense going early. The defense, always a hallmark of Baler teams, did a great job holding down Wilcox, improving San Benito to 2-1.

Robby Sanchez said he feels very confident in his team this year; when asked about how the season is going so far.

He said, “Defense was solid in the box, linebackers are solid and defensive backs are good.”

Sanchez added that the defense “swarmed to the ball, and that’s why we’re doing well.”

The Balers next faced a tough Oak Grove team.

“It was rough this weekend, we played against a team who has beaten its other opponents by a margin of 140 to 13,” Coach Chris Cameron said.

Asked what the team needed to improve on heading into Tri County Athletic League play, Cameron said, “Number one, more points. The way it happens is by being more consistent with assignment, not turning the ball over, and taking pressure off the defense.”

Also, the balers need to “do a better job at pass protection and every week try to be more physical.”

So far the team has suffered a couple major injuries, putting some good players on the bench. Cameron said “guys have been stepping up to fill shoes in as starters. We have been bitten by the injury bug.”

The Balers lost their TCAL opener on the road, falling 14-6 to the Alisal Trojans. The next week, more injuries struck against Alvarez, but the Balers used two safeties and a touchdown to earn a 10-0 win.

Heading into a bye week, the Balers played North Salinas tough on the road, but lost 17-14. The Balers put up a good fight, leading in the beginning of the second quarter after a 26-yard touchdown by Anthony Padilla. In the third quarter Andre Cornell made a 35-yard touchdown, but the Vikings came back for the victory.

San Benito faces Salinas at home on Halloween and returns to Andy Hardin Field for Homecoming against Palma on Nov. 7. The final game of the year will be at Gilroy in the annual Prune Bowl contest.