A.D. Ibarra

Eagle Pass

In the second installment of our weekly feature, The Eagle Pass News Gram highlights two more players from each of our Fightin' High School Football Squads, the High Flyin' Eagle Pass Eagles who more than held their own against perennial playoff contenders the Weslaco East Wildcats, but came up a little short in a 28-21 thriller where the Eagles simply ran out of time, but a game in which RJ Ruiz made an outstanding catch to extend the final Eagle scoring drive, and The Silver & Black Attack CC Winn Mavericks who gave the school and its new coaching staff something to hang their helmets on with a razor-sharp 21-20 victory in Week Zero at the Honey Bowl in Uvalde behind Neon Deion Alonso's 180 yard, two touchdown rushing performance. The Eagles will be up for some redemption when they welcome the Nixon Mustangs to town and the Mavs will welcome back our former Head Coach David Charles and the Martin Tigers on Saturday. First up is Jose Alonso's Little Brother Deion, Maverick Running Back extraordinaire: Congratulations on another fabulous game Deion, I've got a battery of questions for you are you ready? Yes, Sir. Who are your influences? My brother Jose Alonso (A former Maverick running back, an out standing rusher who had a great feel for his blockers, much like All-Time leading Winn running back Luvin De Leon), I learned a lot from him growing up. He was my role model as a kid and I remember the Eagle game (That 31-30 thriller back in 2008) where he had 105 yards and two TD's, a game I will never forget! In the pros it's Barry Sanders. That's where I learned my moves. What are your goals this season? To be the first Maverick team to make it to the playoffs, rush for 2000 yards and make my family proud. Who's your favorite NFL team? The Indianapolis Colts. College? West Virginia. What's your favorite play? A-Right 438 Toss. It gives me the chance to see the whole defense and see everything before it happens. What is your career highlight? I would have to say a play against Martin last year where I spinned off a linebacker and it seemed as though I was going down but I landed on my feet and took it 60 yards for a touchdown, but my best game had to be my first as a varsity player against Uvalde last season when I rushed for 225. What are your plans after graduation? I hope to play college ball depending on what college gives me the opportunity. Major? Kinesiology because I would want to become a head coach one day. What advice would you give a seventh grader playing football for the first time? Keep working hard, never give up.The more determined you are, the easier it will be. Always set your goals high and never be satisfied because sky's the limit! Next up is three sport-star and Eagle Safety/Wide Receiver RJ Ruiz. Who are your influences? My Dad Ricky Ruiz, my brother Jacob, my Mom Laura always make me step up my game and my grandparents Johhny and Yolanda who are always there for me. At the pro level I would have to say it's Calvin Johnson. He's a play-maker, has strong hands and he's really difficult to defend one-on-one. What are your goals this season? Winning District and going far in the playoffs and to help my team win. It's really not about me it's about the team. Who's your favorite NFL team? The Dallas Cowboys. College? Texas A&M. What's your favorite play? Trips Right 98 Wiggle Y Z Hash Corner Double Fly. They isolate me on a defender and I like to go one-on-one like Megatron. What is your career highlight? The United game last season where I had a touchdown and an interception. What are your plans after graduation? I'd like to play college sports either football or baseball. Major? I'd like to major in Kinesiology at either UT or Texas A&M. What advice would you give a seventh grader playing football for the first time? Work hard and lift weights. It's all about the little things. Little things always add up to something big and concentrate on your studies, because it's no fun to be ineligible!