Names In The Games #1: Pro/College/High School/Pop Warner

Viewer Alert: East L.A. Sports Scene.Com is creating more content again. Here is another brand NEW football feature we are adding so that our viewers may follow on a priority basis, our East L.A. native sons and other student-athletes, currently attending, or have attended, our community’s High Schools and Colleges. Our reporting goal is to provide “Profiles, News, & Timely Updates” on our players that you will NOT normally find in regular mainstream sports mediums. All players we identify who are Latino/Hispanic or Non-Latino/Hispanic (*), is an editorial effort to highlight their career accomplishments as professionals, their athletic and academic skills as college/university students, and their ongoing development in high school, and Pop Warner programs. In our constant search, we will include worthwhile and important recognitions of local, regional, and national football players who are currently listed on team rosters at all of the above-mentioned levels. Our goal is to gradually and steadily add to this list with your input and insights. Our mission will be accomplished by bringing you this new content in the form of timely installments. Look for our 2nd installment to feature our Names in the Games…of the NFL’s Hall of Fame, the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the Arena Football League (AFL). Please Email me your input at rico.p.cabrera@elass.com. Together, let’s learn much more about our Names in These Games!!!    Rico Cabrera, Sr./Editor, East L.A. Sports Scene.Com      

Feature Credits: nfl.com; nfltotalaccess.com; espn.com; rotoworld.com; ncaa.org; wikipedia.org; google.com; maxpreps.com; Florida St. Univ. (FSU) Football Media Guide; Lincoln University Football Media Guide. 

 

                                                 “Names In The Games”                                                                          

 Installment #1                      Professional: NFL

 Background:  In 2013, there were 31 Latino/Hispanic NFL players, per NFL.COM.  This year, there are 20 rostered players on a total of only 7  teams. We’ve published this feature in correlation with the NFL’s ongoing salute to its annual Hispanic Heritage Month, and with the high hopes and aspirations that the League will take a long and serious look at recruiting more players of our Heritage. There are many who seek to achieve their goal of playing at the highest level, and in nearly all cases, drafted players are selected from colleges and universities. That is the difference maker for our future Latino/Hispanic NFL players – they must be enrolled at either a D-1, D-2, D-3 or NAIA school. We start our “Names In The NFL” with this partial list of current Latino/Hispanic NFL players. To follow your favorite Teams and Players, go to www.nfl.com.

                                                                                                                         

   Antonio Ramiro “Tony”  Romo #9/QB/6-2/236/34/12/Eastern Illinois University, Div. 1-AA. Romo is of Mexican-American heritage and was born in San Diego, CA. His father, Ramiro, is Mexican-American and a U.S. Navy veteran. Tony’s grandfather immigrated from Coahuila, Mexico. Not selected in the 2003 NFL Draft, Romo signed as a free agent with the Dallas Cowboys. After two seasons as a holder, he replaced the previous starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe during a game against the New York Giants in the 2006 season. Since then, Romo has been the Cowboys starting QB with star power that very few of his contemporaries can equal. A few of Romo’s NFL career highlights include the following: selected to Pro Bowl (2006, 2007, 2009). NFC Passing Yards Leader (2009); passed for 506 yds. against the Broncos on 10/6/13. After last season, he signed a 6 year extension contract worth $108 million with $55 million guaranteed and another $25 million in bonuses. Romo returned to the 2014 season after a successful back operation, and prior to his recent injury, was off to his best start ever, leading the Cowboys to a 6-1 overall record and 6 consecutive wins after dropping the season opener to the 49ers. On Oct. 27th, he re-injured his back in the Washington game, suffering 2 fractures of his spine’s transverse process. He will return to his position after getting medical clearance from team doctors. Romo should be back in good health for the Cowboys’ final half of the season, then well into an expected playoff run, and hopefully, leading them into the Super Bowl.

             

 Manny Ramirez #66/C/6-3/320/31/8/Texas Tech/Ramirez is of Mexican-American heritage. His mom is from Matamoros, Mexico, and his dad from Tampico, Mexico. They both came to the U.S. when they were young. Manny was born in Missouri City, very close to Houston, TX, and went on to earn an athletic scholarship to play at Texas Tech University where he majored in exercise sports science. He is now an eighth-year Center who started 42-of-51 regular-season games played in his first seven NFL seasons with the Detroit Lions (2007-10) and the Denver Broncos (2011-13). He started all 16 games at Center for the first time in his career in 2013. He has started the first 8 games of the current season. Manny stated in his interview with the NFL’s Total Access Video program, that when he was a teenager in high school, he saw football as an excellent means to an end. First and formeost, it was a way out of the barrio, secondly, it kept him out of trouble, and lastly, but most importantly, it earned him a free college education because of his skills. His ongoing and unfailing message to those who aspire for a lifetime of success is “Si, se puede!”

 

    Victor Cruz #80/WR/6-0 204/27/5/Univ. of Massachusetts. Cruz is of Puerto Rican heritage. He was raised in Paterson, N.J., played high school football and then earned an athletic  scholarship to play his collegiate ball at UMASS. He went undrafted in 2010, but was signed by the Giants on the day after the draft. From“nowhere to somewhere”  and very quickly could be a great way of describing Cruz’s ascent into the ranks of one of the most respected wide-outs in the League. His NFL accomplishments to date: Super Bowl XLVI Winner, NFC Champion 2011, and selected to the 2012 Pro Bowl. He is tied with 12 other players for his 99 yd. TD reception vs. the NY Jets in 2011. He’s also widely known by his growing Latino/Hispanic fan-base for his now famous and much-expected “Salsa” dance steps after scoring TDs. His NFL career totals include 241 receptions for 3,626 yards (15.0-yard avg. per catch) and 23 TDs. In his postseason work, Cruz has caught 21 passes for 269 yards and 1 touchdown. This season has presented the Giants’ All-Pro receiver with his biggest challenge to date, one of overcoming a season-ending injury. Here is a brief recap of  how the injury occurred during Week #6, versus the Philadelphia Eagles. While attempting to catch a pass in the end zone, as he came down from his grab, he unfortunately suffered a torn patellar tendon, ending his season with that play. After undergoing successful surgery to repair the knee, Cruz is now officially on the Team’s injured reserve list. We wish him a full and sound recovery on his return for the 2015 season and we look forward to seeing him perform more, new and improved, Salsa moves.

 

Roberto Garza #63/C-G/6-2 310/35/14/Texas A&M-Kingsville. Garza is of Mexican-American descendency. His parents came to the U.S. from Mexico and the Garza family settled in Rio Hondo, Texas. After he graduated from Texas A&M University, he was drafted  in the 4th round by the Atlanta Falcons in 2001. In 2005, he was traded to the Chicago Bears. Garza is a team captain, offensive line signal caller and 16-game starter for the Bears in seven of the last eight seasons. After being injured with a high ankle sprain in the 2014 season opener against the Buffalo Bills, the Bears signed Brian De La Puente as quality insurance in case  Garza has any lingering effects due to his injury. Garza is currently operating on a 1 year deal worth $1.5 million. During his off-season time, Garza is very committed to helping many of the underprivileged communities in the greater Chicago metropolitan area through his partnership with the United Way. In February of this year, along with his popularity within the Latino/Hispanic community, and his bilingual speaking skills, Garza was selected to be a sideline reporter at Met Life Stadium for Fox Deportes on the first-ever Spanish language telecast of the Super Bowl in the United States.

 

Mychal Rivera #81/TE/6-3/245/24/2nd year/Univ. of Tennessee. Mychal, of Puerto Rican heritage, was born in Los Angeles and played the tight end position for the Birmingham High School “Patriots” in Van Nuys, CA. After playing for the Volunteers at the University of Tennessee, in 2013, he was drafted in the 6th round, with pick #184, by the Oakland Raiders. Named to the Pre-Season All-SEC Third Team prior to the 2012 season, Rivera started in 10 of 12 games. He caught 36 passes for 562 yards and 5 touchdowns, breaking the single-season team record set by Jason Witten for most receiving yards by a tight end. On 6/6/13 Rivera signed a four-year, $2.265 million contract and the deal included a $104,852 signing bonus. His stats as a Raider thus far in 2014, reflect the following: 28 receptions for 222 yds. Averaging 7.9 yds. per reception, and 2 TDs. On 11/2/14 he caught a 1 yd TD pass from Derek Carr versus the Seattle Seahawks pulling the Raiders to within 6 points and only 1:52 remaining in the game. During his NFL combine he was described in scouting reports as a good lead blocker on runs when positioned in the backfield and has outstanding hands for catching passes on the run and over the middle. One of his two sisters is actress, Naya Rivera, known for playing Santana Lopez on Fox Broadcasting’s musical comedy-drama television series “Glee.”  Look for Rivera to continue his development as a rising Tight End star with comparisons to the now retired, and certain NFL Hall of Famer, Tony Gonzalez. 

 

    Arian Foster #23/RB/ 6-1/227/28/5th yr./Univ. of  Tennessee. Foster was drafted in the 2nd round by the Houston Texans in 2009. His mother is of Mexican-American descendency. In 2012, he signed a new 5 year, $44 million contract extending his playing career with the Texans through the 2017 season. The deal contains $20.75 million guaranteed, including a $12.5 million signing bonus. During his teen-age years, Foster moved from his birthplace in Albuquerque, NM with his father to attend Mission Bay HS in San Diego. From there he  proceeded to play his collegiate ball at  the Unversity of Tennessee. He is known by his home fans in Houston and around the League for his Yoga “Namaste” gesture after scoring a TD. Here are some of Foster’s stats: currently leads the AFC in rushing yards (766) and touchdowns (7) and is ranked in the top five among all NFL players with 932 yards from scrimmage. Here are more amazing career best numbers: since 2010, he leads the NFL with (30) 100-yard rushing games. He tied a career high with three touchdowns (two rushing and one receiving) in Week 8 of this season, and since 2010, leads the NFL with 21 games where he has at least 150 rushing yards from scrimmage. In just his 5th year as a Pro, Foster has already proven that he is one of the NFL’s elite running backs, readily mentioned in the same breath as many of the greats who played in this League, well before, and just before him.

 

 

Mark Sanchez #3/QB/6-2/225/27/5th year/USC. Sanchez is of Mexican-American heritage. He was born in Long Beach, CA. but his father moved the family to Orange County, and growing up, decided to attend Mission Viejo High school where he became an All-American. After deciding to leave USC before his senior year, he was drafted in 2009 in the 1st round and was the 5th pick by the NY Jets, making his debut in 2009. As a Jet, Sanchez compiled some very impressive statistics as he became the 1st Rookie quarterback to win his first three starts and the most playoff victories by a rookie quarterback with 2, tying him with Joe Flacco. Unfortunately, Sanchez could never rise above the rabid Jets fans’ expectations, and in a very business-like move, he was ultimately traded to the Philadelphia Eagles prior to the start of the 2014 season. During the exhibition season, Head Coach Chip Kelly gave him playing time and was satisfied that Sanchez would become Nick Foles’ back-up. Coach Kelly’s vision for Sanchez certainly rang true on Week #9, when he stepped in to replace Foles against the Houston Texans, after he suffered a broken collarbone injury. He is predicted to be out at least a month or possibly longer. As a result, Sanchez took advantage of this much-awaited opportunity and immediately led the team to a badly needed 31-21 victory. He threw for 2 TD passes. The Monday morning talk show trends have Sanchez remaining as the starting QB until Foles returns from the injured player list. Mark’s objective is to keep the Eagles on top of the Conference for the rest of the regular season. Sanchez makes his 2014 Monday Night Football Game appearance on 11/10/14 vs. the Carolina Panthers.

 

 

 Greg Salas #17/WR/6-2/210/26/4th yr/Univ. of Hawaii/Chino High School. Salas is of Mexican-American heritage and his hometown is Chino, CA. He played collegiately at the University of Hawaii, and while there, racked up 285 receptions, 4,345 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns. He is the school’s career leader in receiving yards. His profile in the NFL shows that in the League’s 2011 draft, he was selected in the 4th round, with the #112th pick. His more than above-average hand dexterity and his phenomenal “hand-eye” coordination convinced  NFL scouts of his Pro football abilities when they made their player evaluation of Salas in his combine. He made his NFL debut in 2011 for the St. Louis Rams. His brief career history is as follows: St. Louis Rams (2011), New England Patriots (2012), Philadelphia Eagles (2012), and the New York Jets (2013–present). As a young player he has already earned the workingman’s career description of “journeyman.”  His current stats as a New York Jet are the following: 8 catches, 167 yards, a 20.9, average yards per catch, and 0 TDs. Salas is certainly a work in progress and has proven he is more than capable of remaining in the NFL for many more seasons to come. Great to see a California native son make it all the way to the top and know that his skills are being widely followed by a whole new generation of young Latino/Hispanic wide receivers at all levels of the game.

 

 

 *Anthony Denham #81/TE/6-6/250/Houston Texans-Practice squad/Utah University/East L.A. College/Wilson HS, Los Angeles. In 2009, at East L.A. College (Calif.), Denham recorded 49 receptions for 1,189 yards (24.3 yd. average) and 16 touchdowns. The following year, his stats reflected 40 receptions for 475 yards (11.9) and seven TDs. In his senior year at Utah, he started 10 of 12 games and totaled 24 catches for 291 yards (12.1) and two TDs. After the NFL Combine, Denham was signed to a Free Agent 1 year Rookie contract to play on the Texans’ practice team. During this year’s exhibition season, he was credited with a blocked punt while playing on the “Special Teams Unit” against the Atlanta Falcons. His block led to a touchdown on the same play, when his teammate, Jonathan Grimes, picked up the loose ball and ran it in from the 17 yd. line for the score. The Texans went on to win the game by a final of 32-7. As longtime friends of this young professional athlete, we, at East L.A. Sports Scene strongly stand together with Anthony in his hopes of getting the chance to prove that he has the skills to stay and play in the NFL on any given Sunday!

                                                                  

                                    Colleges/Universities                                                     

 Lincoln University “Blue Tigers”/ Great Lakes Valley Conference, (GLVC), NCAA Division II.  The team’s Media Guide is available on-line at www.lubluetigers.com

 1. Carlos Lozano/RT/6-7, 395/Montebello, CA – (ELAC); 2. Julio Segura/Punter/6-3, 230/ South Gate, CA – (ELAC); 3. Eddie Rodriguez, (Red Shirt) Kicker/6-0, 200/Los Angeles – (ELAC); 4. Brandon Tovar/Long Snapper/Arleta, CA.- (L.A. Valley College); 5. Juan Barriga/Coach-OL, El Paso. The Blue Tigers are coached by Mike Jones, former 12 year veteran NFL player for the St. Louis Rams, Los Angeles Raiders, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Coach Jones is known in NFL laurels for making “The Tackle” that stopped the Tennessee Titan’s wide receiver, Kevin Dyson, on the 1 yd. line to preserve the Rams’ victory in Super Bowl XXXIV. The “Blue Tigers” are currently 2-8 overall and 1-6 in Conference play. Lozano anchors the right side of a big offensive line and is gaining more confidence and experience with each game. Segura is currently ranked #25 in D-2 punting with a 41.5 yd. average per punt. Tovar is a veteran long-snapper and Rodriguez is a part of the special teams kicking unit. Great to see our East L.A. and So. Cal players representing themselves and their communities while earning their University degrees in the state of Missouri.

Carlos Lozano

 

 

 

 

 

 

I recently had the chance to speak with Lincoln University’s “Blue Tigers” Head Football Coach Mike Jones (in photo at left) and asked him for his season’s progress report card on each of our ELAC & So. Cal student-athletes. Here are his comments… On Carlos Lozano: He’s one of our biggest OL players and starts at right tackle. Carlos is doing a great job at handling the “Bull,” the “Power,” and the “Speed” rushes that come his way. He’s doing a very commendable job and is still learning to play this most difficult position in our schemes very well. He’s always on time and plays extremely hard on every down. Carlos has the potential to play at the Pro level due to his sheer size, strength, and athleticism. He just basically needs to concentrate more on his overall conditioning to become a serious and more dominant force in our Conference, and I’m expecting him to achieve that. Academcally, he’s fine and taking many upper level courses in his chosen major.  On Julio Segura: He’s having a very good year while increasing his punting average dramatically. It’s now up to 47 yds. per punt, second in the Conference. Julio was injured in our season opener but has returned to even better form. His work ethic is hard to top and he’s doing a phenomenal job in getting his punts consistently covered inside our opponent’s 20 yd. line due to his tremendous“hang time”  and his ability to  flat out “Boom it!”  Currently, he’s leading our conference with 15 punts being downed inside the 20. He’s also 2nd in kick-off average. Julio has the potential to play at the Pro level like Carlos, and that is evidenced by the fact that scouts from the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, and the Seattle Seahawks have made campus visits to watch several of our players. On Brandon Tovar: He’s one of our best long-snappers, an unselfish student leader, and a most welcome teammate to the Blue Tigers squad for each of his three years here at Lincoln. His GPA is an outstanding 3.9 and he’s just a great perosn to be around and to know. On Eddie Rodriguez: I was able to grant him a “Red Shirt” season so he could work on a few more areas in his game, but he is presently on our “Scout” team and handling all of the kicking duties. To close out my interview, I asked Coach Jones about his recruiting efforts here in Los Angeles. He replied that this current group of players from ELAC now at Lincoln is actually his second. The first came while Lynn Cain was ELAC’s Head Coach and he then recruited players such as Roberto Limon, Cesar Estrada, and Gabriel Soto just to name a few. All told, he has signed 15 former “Huskie”  players to scholarships and will be looking for more when he returns here in early December. When I asked Coach about some of the advantages in attending a D-2 like Lincoln University, he promptly answered with, “it’s a great opportunity to earn a quality education and a degree, compete in a new and upcoming conference (Great Lakes Valley), play nationally ranked teams, live in very modern and affordable housing, be seen on a national sports TV network, ESPN, and know that your Head Coach will exercise all of his options to assist his players with solid advice in seeking a career playing professionsl football should that be the case, after they graduate with their Bachelor’s Degrees.”   Rico Cabrera, Sr./ELASS.COM

 

Southern Utah University “Thunderbirds”/ Big Sky Conference, NCAA D-1              

 Aaron Cantu/QB, East Los Angeles, CA. – (Schurr HS/ELAC): Cantu is in his Senior year as an experienced signal caller for the “Thunderbirds.” He had an outstanding year in ’13 and looks to improve on his performance this season against top-flight competition. In a rare historical game scenario that took place in this season’s opener, two very talented Latino Div. 1 QBs faced-off against each other. For Southern Utah it was Aaron Cantu, the pride of Schurr High school and East L.A. College vs the Univ. of  Nevada @ Reno, Cody Fajardo, the pride of Anaheim and Servite High School. The future is looking very bright for Cantu as he sets his sights on receiving a bid to try-out professionally with either the NFL, CFL, (Canadian Football league) or the AFL (Arena Football League). His fans in East L.A. and beyond know he can reach his goal and we will all be pulling for him.

University of Nevada @ Reno “Wolfpack”/ Mountain West Conference, NCAA D-1

  Cody Fajardo/QB/6-2/215/SR/Brea, CA/Servite HS. Fajardo watchers and supporters realize that this amazing young Latino student-athlete is well on the path to break many Wolfpack passing records in number of attempts and completions. He has made the Mountain West Conference opponents more than aware of his field presence and quarterbacking capabilities with his strong arm and keen ability to read all defenses that are shown to him during any given Saturday. Fajardo should easily lead the Wolfpack into a high-profile post-season bowl berth with their current 6-3 overall record and their 3-2 conference record. However, there are 3 more games remaining on the schedule, with all 3 being very winnable contests. During his four year career, Fajardo has produced these impressive stats: 9,088 total passing yds.(as of 11/1/14), 51 TDs. and 26 INTs. He is just 1,000 yds. shy of former “Wolfpack” standout, and current San Francisco 49er QB, Colin Kaepernick’s school record. There can, and should be, no doubt that his playing skills will be highly sought during the next NFL draft. Look for Fajardo to follow in the footsteps of Mark Sanchez, on his way to the NFL. Other Latino rostered players on the team include: Daren Echevaria/OL/6-5, 270/FR; and Humberto Lopez/OL/6-5, 305/College of the Desert.

Cody Fajardo/QB

    UCLA “Bruins”/ PAC-12, NCAA Division 1                           

  In reviewing the Bruin roster for this special feature, we found the following Latino players who are part of this year’s nationally-ranked UCLA team, currently in the 18th spot. The Bruins (8-2 overall, 5-2 in Pac-12) may have a chance to play for the Pac-12 South Division title if they should secure victories over USC on 11/22 and Stanford on 11/29, both games are at the Rose Bowl. 

Here is the list: Thomas Duarte #18/WR/6-3/215/Soph/Fullerton/Mater Dei HS; Marcus Rios #9/DB, 6-1/170/SO; Jalen Ortiz/DB/5-9/ 180/SO/Peoria, AZ; Zach Hernandez #19/WR/6-1/180/SO/Malibu; Jesus Moreno #60/DL/5-11/285/FR/Santa Monica; Cristian Garcia #73/OL/6-4/280/FR/Whittier; and John Lopez #75/OL/6-5/ 315/FR/Villa Park, CA.

Thomas Duarte/WR

Florida St. “Seminoles” / ACC, Atlantic Coast Conference/Divison 1

Roberto Aguayo #19/K/6-1/203/RSo./Mascotte, Fl/South Lake HS. The 2014 season outlook shows that Aguayo enters his second season as college football’s top kicker, looking to join former Seminole Sebastion Janikowski (1999, 2000), as the only repeat winners of the Lou Groza Award, given to the nation’s top kicker. He has an explosive leg with impressive power and great accuracy as evidenced by only missing one field goal and no extra points in his first season. Aguayo gives FSU another weapon on offense as he is automatic on PATs and has field goal range that extends well past 50 yards. He’s a versatile athlete with the ability to boom kickoffs for touchbacks or pin returners inside the 20. The defending National Champions feel confident that their place kicker will always give them that extra-valued scoring threat with his pin-point and laser-focused kicks. Aguayo certainly is on his way to playing on future Sundays in the NFL. Let’s all wish him nothing but more success and possibly another NCAA National Championship ring, as we watch his career soar to even greater heights.

 

San Diego State “Aztecs” / Mountain West Conference (MWC) / NCAA Division 1

  We can easily say that the Aztecs Football program is well-stocked with Latino players from California, Arizona, and Colorado. This gives pause to focus on the fact that college recruiters are making contact with our players and then engaging them in the full recruiting process. These are very good indicators for our younger high school student-athletes that earning a Division-1 football scholarship is very possible. Here is the player list that we compiled from their media guide. Antonio Rosales 6-4/295 Offensive Lineman/RS FR/Tucson, Ariz. (Tucson Magnet High); Paul Rodriguez 6-7/295 Offensive Lineman JR/San Bernardino, Calif. (San Gorgonio High); Arthur Flores 6-5/305 Offensive Lineman/SO/Denver, Colo. (J.K. Mullen High); Joe Salcedo 6-7/280 Offensive Lineman FR/Santa Barbara, CA. (Bishop Diego High); Jon Sanchez 6-2/260 Defensive Lineman JR/Murrieta, CA.. (Vista Murrieta High). An extra piece of good news is that Danny Gonzales is an Assistant Coach for Safeties.

 

         Junior Colleges/JUCOs

Glendale Community College ‘Vaqueros” – CCCAA/Southern California Football Association – Pacific Conference

Andre Nunez #9/FR/6-2/200/Sierra Canyon HS/Hometown: Chatsworth. Nunez has led the “Vaqueros”  to an 8-1 overall record this season. After an early season injury, the starting QB rehabilitated his injury, returned, and contributed to the team’s overall success. He has one more year of eligiblity. Nunez’s season stats to date reflect the following: 9 games/91-150 completions/1,083 total passing yards/60.7%/120.3 yards per game/7.2 average yards per completion/11 TDs/5 INTs. Keep your eye on #9 for the upcoming State JUCO playoffs and then continue to follow him into the 2015 season. He should stand and deliver abundantly for the Vaqueros.

                  High Schools

 

Montebello High School “Oilers”                                           

 Enrique Lozano #12/SR/Kicker/6-0/175/Almont League/Division Mid-Valley (X)/Montebello, CA./7-9 PATS/2 FGs/ 3-0 League Record. Lozano is being heavily recruited by several D-1 Universities. His first cousin is Carlos Lozano, starting offensive right tackle, Lincoln University, D-2/Missouri. Enrique’s “Best Magical Moment” of the season occurred on October 31st-“Halloween” night, when he kicked the game winning 35 yd. field goal in OT, and was then given the hero’s triumphant celebratory high-fives and chest bumps from his grateful and most ecstatic teammates. The play call came on a 3rd and 2, when Oiler Head Coach, Pete Gonzales, called on Lozano and he delivered “big time” with the dramatic kick that sailed straight through the uprights during a driving rain. Keep your eye on this promising talented and young place kicker. We are very confident that we’ll be seeing him often on one of several Major College TV Sports Networks next football season.

 

 Cathedral High School “Phantoms”

Andrew Tovar #16/QB, Cathedral HS “Phantoms”/6-0/175/SO/Class of 2017. Tovar has passed for nearly 3,000 yds. and 39 TDs this season, while leading his team to a 9-1 overall record, and a 4-1 record in the Angelus League. They open their playoff season in the CIF’s Southern Section’s Southeast Division (V), this Friday, 11/14. The Sophomore QB, who is still growing into the position has been described as a “diligent work still in progress,”  and is most definitely on track to break the All-Time passing records at Cathedral before he moves on to his college career in the Fall of 2017.

 

  Damian Garcia/QB, Bishop Amat “Lancers”/6-0/170/JR/Mission League. Garcia has passed for 2,000+ yds. and 15 TDs/Division 5 PAC (I)/3-1 League Record

 

 

Christian Lara/QB/La Mirada “Matadores”/6-0/190/SR/Suburban League. Lara has completed 77% of his passes/1,500 yds/17 TDs/4-0 League Record

 

 

                        Pop Warner Programs 

 

 East L.A. “Bulldogs” – Junior Pee Wee Division

The season just ended for these future high school, junior college, college, and yes, hopeful NFL players. This group of young footballers already has high hopes and strong aspirations to become the next generation’s Tony Romo, Mark Sanchez, Roberto Garza, Manny Ramirez, Victor Cruz, Greg Salas, to name a few. Continued growth through excellent coaching and top-flight competition can only help fuel their desires to play at the highest level of the game, possibly in the year 2025. Again, I remind everyone to remember the goal of our “Names in the Games” special feature. Having said that, we are very happy to present the “East L.A. Bulldogs,” Junior Pee Wee Division team. Pictured below is the entire team, their Coaches, and their Athletic Director. Please feel free to contct Head Coach, Mike Aguilar (4th from left) at 323.396-4043 for more information on how to enroll your son in this outstanding sports and character-building program. And by the way, cheerleading opportunities are available for the young ladies. Be sure to ask Coach Aguilar for more details on how you can also enroll your daughter into their great “East L.A. Bulldogs” youth program.

Top Row: #21 Daniel Campbell #1 Jason Saavedra #64 Robert Real #24 Jaison Vargas #74 Matthew Salinas #54 Angel Martin #44 Angel Figueroa; Middle Row: Coach Dave Manzo, Coach Steve Vega, AD/Mayra Orozco, Head Coach, Mike Aguilar, Coach Nathan Vega, Coach Robert Alfaro; Bottom Row: #50 Fernando Galvan #5 Simon Alvarez #32 Emir Acosta #7 Jesse Gomez #75 Jaycob Barro #20 Israel Munoz #88 Adrick Cruz #2 Adam Garcia Front Row: #84 Daniel Robles #3 Daniel Orozco

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                                             The Future Is Ours!