The Eagles will face McAllen High here in Eagle Pass, and CC Winn is traveling to the Alamo City to square off with Corpus Christi McAllen Memorial. If anything is for sure, it's that both of our squads are going to depend heavily on their secondaries because both the Bulldogs of McAllen, and the Eagles of Corpus Christi are stacked with tall, fast, game-breaking wideouts. And low and behold, both Coach Tom Gonzalez and Coach Eric Villaseñor chose DB's as their Players Of The Week.
Eagle Pass Eagle Safety Nico Moyeda will have the tall task of covering a signed, sealed and delivered D-1 prospect in McAllen's Gunnar Henderson who is committed to the University of Louisville, all 5' 9" 165 Lbs. of him who is scary quick and lines up all over the field.
CC Winn's German Velasquez will have an equally challenging job on Friday covering Veterans Memorial's Sethe Solis, a tall and rangy wide receiver who scored last week in their game against loop-leading Calallen.
First up is Eagle Pass' Nico Moyeda, who Coach Tom Gonzalez praised for his work ethic and play on the field, "He's been pretty solid all year."
Who do you consider to be your biggest influences? (Could be your parents, but also include a professional player or national figure)
My Dad Nico Moyeda, he would be my biggest influence. He's instilled in me that anything with hard work is achievable. My Mom Cheryl Moyeda because even when things don't go my way, not to give up, to keep pushing until I get the result I want. Professionally it would be Dez Bryant because of the pride he has for the game. He doesn't give up.
What are your goals this season?
To be the best I can on the field and help my team win games.
Who's your favorite NFL team?
The Dallas Cowboys.
College team?
The Texas Longhorns.
What's your favorite play and why? (Give me a good long one)
Probably the Sky call. I'm come down on the flat and cover the flat, it allows me to get a big hit whenever the receiver runs a bubble. We're playing a kid [Gunner Henderson] who's signed D-I to Louisville and we'll be ready for him.
What are your plans after graduation?
Go to college and if they give me the opportunity I would like to play at the next level.
Major?
Mechanical Engineering.
What does it feel like to come out of the tunnel? What do you feel when you hear the fight song?
It's an indescribable feeling. I feel pride in all the hard work we put in week after week. When I hear the fight song, I don't know how to explain it. You see the people in the stands and hear the band, it feels good!
Finally, give me some advice to a seventh grader playing football for the first time.
Practice hard, don't give up, listen to your coaches. Learn from your mistakes and keep going. It's not how big you are, it's how big you play!
Head Coach Eric Villaseñor had the following to say about the next his outstanding defensive back, and the other player of the week, German Velasquez: "German has been one of our most consistent players all year. He does things right. He's very coachable. A total team player, and he got better as the weeks progressed. He came up with an interception last week against Floresville, played really well against Uvalde. German's a great kid and above all else, he's great in the classroom too."
Who do you consider to be your biggest influences? (Could be your parents, but also include a professional player or national figure)
I consider my brother as my biggest influence due to the fact that he always pushes me to do better. He always tells me what I do wrong so I can learn from my mistakes. My mom, she helps me out on everything I do, she supports me no matter what. Professionally, I like Patrick Peterson of the Arizona Cardinals. I like his technique, how he plays the ball and how he's aggressive.
What are your goals this season?
My goal is to be First-Team All-District Corner.
Who's your favorite NFL team?
The Dallas Cowboys.
College team?
Texas A&M.
What's your favorite play and why? (Give me a good long one)
I really like it when my opponents run corner routes because it allows me more of a chance to make a play on the ball. I like it when Coach Ram calls Blue. Because the corners are deep and we get a great view of the field.
What are your plans after graduation?
I want to go to college but I'm still undecided on my major.
Major?
I'm not sure yet.
What does it feel like to come out of the tunnel? What do you feel when you hear the fight song?
It feels great because all eyes are on you. When I hear the fight song I feel pumped and with momentum because we just made a big play.
Finally, give me some advice to a seventh grader playing football for the first time.
You have to stay committed to the sport, because if you don't you won't be able to do it. Listen to the coaches, trust the process.