News Gram Sports' Featured Players of the Week:
Winn High's & EP High's Offensive Lines
A.D. Ibarra
-Eagle Pass
In the third installment of our weekly feature, The Eagle Pass News Gram highlights two more very important groups of players from each of our Fightin' High School Football Squads, The Silver & Black Attack CC Winn Mavericks' and The High Flyin' Eagle Pass Eagles' Offensive Lines who open the holes for their half backs and provide the necessary pass protection for their individual signal callers Juan Elizondo and Ty Chisum.
First up is Eagle Center Tito Sanchez.
First of all, I want to apologize to your teammates as we are limited on space, but you're the lucky one who gets to answer the questions this week, are you ready?
Yes, Sir.
Who are your influences?
My father Jesus Roberto Sanchez. He's always been there for me in the hard times. He's always helped me with anything I've needed. In the pros it's JJ Watt (Of the Houston Texans). He's got great character and he's a great leader. He's an unselfish player, he's relentless and he has a great motor.
What are your goals this season?
A District Championship and to have the most outstanding line in the district. Our job is to get a good push and to get the person in front of you out of there and create some room for your back to score.
Who's your favorite NFL team?
The Houston Texans.
College?
Texas A&M.
What's your favorite play?
25 GT. You get to crash down on the nose guard and usually it's unexpected. Our strong tackle would probably like this play too because he's the one pulling. The guard pulls as well. We've had a lot of success as an O-Line with this play.
What is your career highlight?
It would have to be last year against United. They were being hyped up to being #1 in the district and we upset them. On the game-winning play to RJ Gomez you're pass blocking where you get help from the other guys on the line and it's more of a team effort.
What are your plans after graduation?
I want to attend Texas A&M University.
Major?
Forensic Science. I would like to move to Houston and possibly work as a medical coroner.
What advice would you give a seventh grader playing football for the first time?
Do not take it for granted because time flies and it goes by really fast. One day you're a seventh grader and the next you're a senior playing your last game of your career, so play every game like it's your last because you never know what can happen.
Next up is Joel Canizales' big little brother Big KC Kevin Canizales, Strong Tackle for the Mavericks.
Who are your influences?
My brother Joey (Former Maverick Joel Canizales who has the distinction of winning the Mavs' first district basball game in history with a walk off home run with CC Winn the man and his lovely wife and family present no less!) he was a defensive end for the Mavericks back in the day and was 1st Team All-District twice. He always put in the hard work and got paid off with these rewards. My uncle Rafael Santana is always pushing me and making me work hard in pursuit of a possible career playing college football.
What are your goals this season?
To take our team to the playoffs and to help Deion Alonso to achieve 2000 yards this season. I know my teammates on the O-Line are going to help get this done!
Who's your favorite NFL team?
The Green Bay Packers.
College?
Ohio State.
What's your favorite play?
A-Right Tom 243 Tackle Trap. It's a play where I pull and get to open the field up for my halfback. On a 4th and goal from the two, we're thinking how we had to hit the sled on all those hot summer days in Eagle Pass every day with ultimate force to get the Mavericks that TD. That's when we really become The Silver & Black O-Line Attack!
What is your career highlight?
Last year against Nixon I made a key block on an 85 yard TD by Deion Alonso.
What are your plans after graduation?
I plan to go play college ball more than likely in Missouri.
Major?
I'd like to pursue a degree in physical therapy. Right now I'm trying to hurt people and let them know how it's gonna be for four very long quarters when you face us and later on in life I'm gonna work to fix 'em up!
What advice would you give a seventh grader playing football for the first time?
Always attend every practice because if you miss a practice, somebody else is getting better at your position. ALways set goals for yourself so that you put in twice the work to stand out in the crowd!