SAN BENITO — Tonight’s third-round playoff game between San Benito and San Antonio O’Connor will have a little twist to it.
Although the Hounds have never faced the Panthers in the postseason, O’Connor’s starting quarterback Roel Sanchez Jr. is familiar with the Hounds since his father, Roel Sanchez Sr., is a San Benito alumnus and played football for the Hounds from 1982-86.
“To be able to play against my family’s alma mater is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Roel said from his home in San Antonio on Wednesday. “It’s not often this happens and for it to happen my senior year is something special for my family and I.”
Growing up, Roel said he would come down to San Benito when visiting his grandmother and heard San Benito football stories from his family.
“I haven’t visited recently, now that I’m older and things are just busy,” he said. “The last Greyhound game I attended was in 2015 (regional playoff game) and I sat on the San Benito side.”
Sanchez Sr. was born and raised in San Benito and graduated from SBHS in 1986. He played punter, kicker and quarterback for the Hounds.
After high school Sanchez Sr. played two years of baseball at TexasSouthmostCollege before moving to San Antonio in 1989.
“As soon as the playoff bracket came out we saw that it was a possibility to play against San Benito,” said Sanchez Sr. “Our entire family got excited. We would talk about how much fun it would be but, of course, we kept our focus each week at a time, but now that it’s here it has been a fun week.
“I’m proud of my son and the work he has done,” he continued. “It’s extra special that we get to see our family members from San Benito sit with us on the O’Connor side. We’re excited for the game and we’re going to enjoy it.”
