San Benito-Palma football

Friday's game
San Benito (6-2) at Palma (7-1) at Rabobank, 7:30 p.m.
 You can make an argument that this is the best rivalry game in the area.
 The Balers aren't intimidated by Palma. Never have been since their days in the MTAL.
 There always seems to be something at stake when these two powers get reacquainted.
 Last year the defending CCS Division I champion Balers knocked Palma from the unbeaten ranks in the Gabilan Division, creating a co-championship.
 There are two other teams in the Gabilan Division hoping for similar results tonight.
 As banged up as Palma has been all season, it has not skipped a beat in earning its 31st consecutive  playoff appearance.
 No program has been more dominate once November rolls around than San Benito, who is 12-3 in the last three years.
 Two of those losses came from Palma, the other in the 2013 Division I finals.
 It's no secret that San Benito is going to grind with 1,000 yard tailback Hunter Nye, who along with Kyle Cameron, have rushed for a combined 24 touchdowns this year.
 The Balers have had a bye week to shore up their defense against one of the more balanced teams in the section.
 Despite a broken left thumb on his non throwing hand, Jack Richardson has thrown for nearly 1,500 yards while Jared Torculas has 711 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.
 Torculas has been invaluable in the absence of Emilio Martinez, running behind a wall that includes Drew Dalman and Zach Ralston.
 Dalman, who has an offer on the table from Fresno State, has helped apply pressure up front along   with Angel Maldonado.
 Palma has outscored the opposition 91-26 in the first quarter.