By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
MISSION — Playing strong safety provides Kevin Liebano the type of freedom he desires on the field.
“You’re there for everything — the run, the pass, you could get an interception,” he said. “It’s pretty fun.”
The 5-foot-9, 175-pound junior has done it all for Mission Veterans, etching his name in the school’s record books, following in line with the program’s tradition of talented safeties. To start the year, coach David Gilpin assigned him No. 6, previously worn by all-state selections Jacob Garza (2009-10) and Julian Meza (2011-13).
It wasn’t by accident, either.
“We knew he was going to be the next guy to carry the mantle,” defensive backs coach David Longoria said.
Gilpin understands its significance and the responsibilities associated with it.
“And he fits that mold, without a doubt,” Gilpin said.
Gilpin calls Liebano a “ball hawk” and an “eraser,” someone who cleans up after other people’s mistakes. In that same sense, Longoria, a co-defensive coordinator, refers to him as a “trash collector.”
“If they miss the first two levels, it’s his turn to clean it up,” Longoria said. “He takes pride in working hard, and it’s all about effort. He does not like to be beaten by anybody. He’s that relentless and he has a natural ability to find the ball.”
Longoria points to his tenacity in Week 10. Against Rio Grande City, Liebano was denied an interception because of a penalty. Soon after, one of his teammates batted down a pass that almost surely would have fallen into Liebano’s hands. Before halftime, he came away with a pick in a game the Patriots hung on to win 21-12.
“Once he caught it, he stood up and made a point, like, ‘This is my ball. Coach, this is going to be my ball. I’m not going to be denied,’” Longoria recalled. “It’s who he is. That boy sets his mind to it and he’s going to get it.”
It’s that level of play that has Liebano ranked third in career interceptions with seven, right behind Garza (11) and Frank Nevares (nine), who played from 2009-11.
In terms of the single-season record, Liebano has five picks this year, creating a two-way tie for third behind Nevares (seven) and Garza (six, 2009; five, 2010).
Both those records are on his radar.
“That’s my goal,” he said.
As a sophomore, Liebano was raw. He possessed natural talent — speed, awareness to the ball — but lacked seasoning. What was true then, and still stands now, is him desire to surrender as little as possible.
“Against teammates, against opponents, he doesn’t want to lose,” Longoria said. “That makes him who he is. He’s not afraid of going all-out.”
That hasn’t been more evident than this season, as the Patriots have some stiff competition in one of the Valley’s tougher districts.
Against Odessa Permian, Gilpin said Liebano “carried himself on that field as if he belonged. He had that swagger that, I don’t care if it’s Odessa Permian or the Little Sisters of the Poor. I’m here to play football.’ He has that no- fear factor about him that allows him to go out and play at a level with some of the best teams around.”
During the regular season, Liebano helped anchor the second-stingiest defense in 31-5A, surrendering 222.5 yards per contest.
He’s the captain of the defensive backs, playing behind standouts Albert Garcia, a nose tackle, and middle linebacker Hugo Cabrera.
Like Garza, Liebano is a dynamic athlete. Last year, he was the first leg of the school’s 4×200-meter relay team that qualified for regionals. He also possesses about the same strength as Meza, putting a lot of weight on his hits.
The combination of those attributes inspired the coaching staff to create a “monster position,” a hybrid strong safety and linebacker.
“He’s a demon out there,” Gilpin said. “The guy’s just a physical, hard-working kid. That goes without saying. He’s just one of those kids that has a nose for the football.”
CAREER
Strong safety Kevin Liebano, a junior, is challenging to become the career leader in four statistical categories at Mission Veterans.
TACKLES
1, Julian Meza (2011-13) — 287
4 (t), Kevin Liebano (2013-14) — 186
8, Jacob Garza (2009-10) — 156
INTERCEPTIONS
1, Jacob Garza (2009-10) — 11
2, Frank Nevares (2009-11) — 9
3, Kevin Liebano (2013-14) — 7
FUMBLES CAUSED
1, Julian Meza (2011-13) — 9
2, Marco Moreno (2010-11) — 7
3, Kevin Liebano (2013-14) — 6
FUMBLES RECOVERED
1, Kevin Liebano (2013-14) — 8
2, Jacob Garza (2009-10) — 5
3, Marco Moreno (2010-11) — 5
SINGLE-SEASON
Strong safety Kevin Liebano is the single-season leader in one statistical category at Mission Veterans. He could climb up the interceptions or fumbles caused lists when the Patriots take on Corpus Christi Flour Bluff on Friday.
INTERCEPTIONS
1, Frank Nevares (2010) — 7
2, Jacob Garza (2009) — 6
3 (t), Jacob Garza (2010) — 5
3 (t) Kevin Liebano (2014) — 5
FUMBLES CAUSED
1, Julian Meza (2013) — 6
2, Marco Moreno (2010) — 5
5, Kevin Liebano (2014) — 3
FUMBLES RECOVERED
1, Kevin Liebano (2013) — 6
2 (t), Adrian Flores (2013) — 4
2 (t), Jacob Garza (2010) — 4