On the last week of the 2017 regular high school football season, it's time for us to recognize, in the great words of Coach Cozel Foster, the 'Bigguns', the men up front who are in the trenches, the unsung heroes of the game of football: our linemen. Both Coach Eric Villaseñor and Coach Tom Gonzalez have chosen two of their down linemen, the basis of their strong running games, the offensive line.

We're getting pretty close to playoff time and the seasons are winding down for both teams. The Eagles are coming off a loss to United and the Mavericks bounced back from an equally heartbreaking loss to Southside with a win at Harlandale. Both teams can still aspire to district championships and hopefully, these two gentlemen will help to motivate their squads to turn in superior performances for us to have first-ever dual district champs in Eagle Pass.

 It's time for The Eagle Pass News Gram's weekly Player Of The Week feature as the Mavericks came away with their first district win of the season over the McCollum Cowboys 27-14 on Thursday, and the Eagles get ready to take on the pesky South San Bobcats at 2-0 in District 29-AAAAAA play.

This week Coach Tom Gonzalez and Coach Eric Villaseñor have made their respective selections, Eagle Defensive End Mario Torres and Maverick Linebacker Ernesto Villaseñor, both #32s for their teams.

A.D. Ibarra

Sports Writer

   With the coming of the new football season, and even of greater importance, the big game this week between the two EPISD high schools, The Eagle Pass News Gram is proud to announce the return of the weekly Player of the Week feature.

   This week, coaches Eric Villaseñor and Tom Gonzalez have nominated two very deserving young men to be the inaugural recipients of the honor of being The News Gram's Player of the Week.

   First up for the visiting team this week, C.C. Winn linebacker Mikey De Los Santos who had a stellar performance in holding LBJ to only one offensive score in the Mav's 19 to 11 victory over the Wolves.

   Who do you consider to be your biggest influences? (Could be your parents, but also include a professional player or national figure)

   My mom. She raised me as a single mom and I really have a lot of respect for that because not many mothers can do that. She's been to every single one of my games since seventh grade and she's always there for me. [Without] her I would never be in this position and experiencing the success I do on the field every night. I love you mom. I really look up to Sean Lee of the Dallas Cowboys because he's a very smart linebacker and knows where the play is going at all times wherever the ball is, he always ends up being there.

What are your goals this season?

   Our team goal is to win district this year, and my personal goal is to get Newcomer of the Year in District 29-AAAAA.

Who's your favorite NFL team?

   The Dallas Cowboys.

College team?

 The Texas Longhorns. They're going back to The Rose Bowl this week against USC where Vince Young won the National Championship.

What's your favorite play and why? 

   I like when they call a blitz for me, it's called Mash. I like to get in there and sack the quarterback. I've had two of those this year and it always makes a good highlight.

What are your plans after Graduation?

   I'd like to join the Border Patrol or Customs, so I want to go college and get my degree.

Major?

   Criminal Justice.

What does it feel like to come out of the tunnel on Friday Nights?

   It feels great. My team is pumped up. We're smiling from cheek to cheek and we're excited to get that 'W'. I get goose bumps when I hear our fight song because every time the band plays it it means we did something good on the field.

   Finally, give me some advice to a seventh grader playing football for the first time.

   You know, just go all out and never give up. There will be some times when you think about giving up, but if you don't, that's what makes you stronger.

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   Next up is Eagle standout running back Dee Andre Torres who scored twice and helped the Eagles keep the chains moving in a 35 to 7 win over the Laredo Cigarroa Toros.

Who do you consider to be your biggest influences? (Could be your parents, but also include a professional player or national figure)

   My parents and all of the players that have played in this program before me, including my dad who has showed me a lot of different ways to play the game and how to take care of myself. It could be as simple as just sitting down and watching a game and he tries to always give us advice, when I have to throw down my shoulder and take a hit or when to get out of bounds, he always seems to have the right advice. My mom is my biggest supporter and she's always there when a lot of people don't believe in us. She's my biggest supporter. When I was small I would look up to the players that played before me. They were always good role models, I would see how they carried themselves, how they dressed, how they played and everything, so when you asked me for a professional influence, I'd rather say the players that played before me.

What are your goals this season?

   Making the playoffs. My freshman year we just missed it. I have a chip on my shoulder and want to do what I can to get my team into the playoffs.

Who's your favorite NFL team?

   The Dallas Cowboys.

College team?

   USC. They have a big game against Texas this week.

What's your favorite play and why? 

My favorite play is Power Right, a run to the inside because I run behind our left guard [Jorge Guardado] who I think is one of our best lineman, and whenever I do, I know I can always get to the next level.

What are your plans after graduation?

I plan to go play college baseball: a big reason why my dad tells me to be careful playing football. I plan to attend Alvin Junior College, a premier JuCo baseball power. 

Major?

   Criminal Justice.

What does it feel like to come out of the tunnel? What do you feel when you hear The fight song?

   It's one of the best feelings in the world. That's what we work for all week. Sometimes it can be a drag, but when you get out there, in front of the people that believe in us, it's the best feeling in the world. When I hear the fight song I feel one thing: tradition.

   Finally, give me some advice to a seventh grader playing football for the first time.

   Don't hesitate when you're making your decision to play or not. You make your best friends, you'll make millions of memories, you'll never regret any moment of it.