By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Everyone learns from someone else, and Hanna quarterback Andy Lopez is no different.
The senior and three-year starter has observed and listened to many older teammates during his time at Hanna. Now, it’s his turn to give out the lessons.
“I’m the teacher now instead of the student,” Lopez said. “Now I have to teach instead of me doing the learning. Now I have to teach the young guys. It’s hard sometimes, it’s not easy. Now I know how it feels to be a coach.”
With a younger group of receivers this season, Lopez said the work during the offseason helped build chemistry.
And that hard work has paid off. The Golden Eagles’ top receiver thus far this season is sophomore Joe Cavazos, who has 14 catches for 325 yards and three touchdowns through three games.
“I had to get them ready,” Lopez said ahead of The Herald’s Game of the Week against the San Benito Greyhounds on Friday. “But they are doing a good job, a really good job.”
But it’s not just help with the younger players. Lopez essentially has become a coach on the field, taking what he has seen and helping the coaching staff prepare or make adjustments.
“I think he’s really grown into the position for us,” Hanna coach Rene Medrano said. “He sees a lot of the stuff that we see now, and I think that has helped him. He helps out Coach (Rodney) Morales. It helps me out on offense. It’s a lot of stuff that we throw at him, and he’s been able to grasp it and learn and grow with it.”
Medrano said his senior has almost free reign to change a play or certain call based on what he sees from the defense during on a progression of check downs. If something isn’t working or needs to be adjusted, the Eagles’ coach relies on Lopez to help the rest of the team to change when necessary.
The senior quarterback has progressively watched more and more film during the past few years. It has helped him read defenses easier and make adjustments when required.
“I’ve been able to slow the game down in my mind,” Lopez said.
Lopez also has learned how to be a leader. He admits he was very quiet as a sophomore and learned how and when he needed to speak up. He has gained confidence by being that vocal presence.
“I feel like I’m a strong leader for the young guys and the seniors now,” he said. “But I had to learn (as a sophomore) from the seniors, they were teaching me how to be a leader. On the field and on the sidelines, I have to be vocal and be demanding of them.
“I have to get them to be on the same page as the team.”
As the season turns to district play, Lopez will be in the spotlight even more. But he proudly puts the team on his back and is ready to lead them to a postseason berth.
“Everything magnifies to the 10th power once district starts,” Medrano said. “I think he’s handled it really well, and I think he’s up to the challenge of handling it. I can see the way he handles himself on and off the field that he has the responsibility it takes.”
But for Lopez, it has never been about personal glory. The senior, who also handles the team’s kicking and punting responsibilities, will do anything he can to help the team win.
“I think he set his goals high for himself, but he never puts himself in front of anyone,” Medrano said. “He’s a team player all the way. He wants the team to be successful, and whatever he can do for his part he wants to do that so the team can be successful.”
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.