By ANDREW CRUM | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD
After helping Brownsville Veterans Memorial capture a share of the District 32-5A football title last season, Gustavo Vasquez wanted even more.
Vasquez was even more dominant this season and took over games at times, especially against district foes. He led the Chargers to a 10-2 record, including a perfect 7-0 in District 32-5A, an outright district championship and to the area round of the postseason.
The senior quarterback finished with 1,112 yards and six touchdowns through the air and 1,617 yards and 26 touchdowns on the ground, reaching the century mark in 9 of 12 games this season.
For his outstanding season, Vasquez was named the top player in District 32-5A and has now been named The Brownsville Herald’s 2017 All-Metro Most Valuable Player.
“It feels great to set the bar high (for the underclassmen),” he said. “It’s a goal for them to accomplish.”
Against two of the top teams in District 32-5A, the senior quarterback made his mark. Against Mercedes, he rushed for 261 yards and three touchdowns, the latter being the game-winner in a 24-17 victory. Against Lopez, Vasquez piled up 232 yards and four touchdowns on the ground to help build an early lead that Brownsville Veterans wouldn’t relinquish in a 35-21 win.
“When the game is on the line … when there’s adversity and times are tough … he steps up with some of his amazing moments,” Brownsville Veterans coach David Cantu said of Vasquez during some big moments for the Chargers this season. “So many incredible memories. As a competitor, in the moment he was not fearful or overwhelmed by it, he does the best he can do at that time and he’s at peace with it.”
For Vasquez, his biggest games came when his team needed him most. When fellow senior and running back Abel Martinez sustained an injury that sidelined him midway through the season, it was Vasquez that put the offense on his back and kept Brownsville Veterans in sight of its goals.
“I’ve been doing this for 22 years and he’s among the best that I’ve coached,” Cantu said. “He was easy to coach because of his selflessness.”
It was more than just Vasquez, but he was certainly the catalyst for it.
“The seniors knew it was going to be our last ride together,” he said. “Everybody wanted to finish strong … give it our all, so that’s what we did.”
Vasquez said topping Mercedes and the team’s comeback win against Laredo Nixon in bi-district were some of the highlights during his final season, but he’s not ready to say he’s played his final down. He is weighing his options trying to find the right fit to play at the next level.
The senior quarterback leaves behind a legacy, athletically and of humility. The Chargers coach said it’s because of the way he was raised by his mother, Claudia Trevino. It showed by the way he treated everyone, but especially his coaches and teammates.
“It’s very difficult to put into words what it’s been for me to be Gustavo’s coach,” Cantu said. “He’s a person of high character, a person with incredible sportsmanship … I’ll always remember him for that.”
Although Cantu will miss Vasquez for his talent and leadership, he prefers to look forward.
“We appreciate what we had, but we move on,” Cantu said. “We remember him for what he was … an amazing high school football player that did things the right way and treated people right.
“Nobody has the pressure to replace him. If everyone does their job, we’ll be fine.”
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.
The Brownsville Herald’s 2017 All-Metro Football Team
Most Valuable Player
Gustavo Vasquez, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Offensive Player of the Year
Kai Money, St. Joseph Academy
Defensive Player of the Year
Matthew Garcia, Hanna
All-Purpose Player of the Year
Jose Echavarria, Lopez
Newcomer of the Year
Victor Campos, Hanna
Coach of the Year
Mark Guess, Hanna
First Team
Quarterback: Charles Chapa, Los Fresnos
Running back: Cesar Mancias, Hanna; Brandon Zapata, Pace
Wide receiver: Gabriel Zapata, Pace; Nico Valencia, Los Fresnos
Tight end: Rafael Recio, Pace
Offensive tackle: Sebastian Sosa, Brownsville Veterans Memorial; Jeremiah Gonzalez, Los Fresnos
Offensive guard: Gabriel Caram, St. Joseph Academy; Eddie Rodriguez, Lopez
Center: Mario Chavez, Los Fresnos
Kicker: Joey Zarate, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Defensive End: Tommy Martinez, Brownsville Veterans Memorial; Sebastian Diaz, Hanna
Defensive Tackle: Pedro Garcia, Lopez; Luis Rivas, Los Fresnos
Linebacker: Leo De La Torre, Lopez; Jose Cruz, Hanna; Sebastian Gonzales, Los Fresnos
Secondary: Jeremy Martinez, Port Isabel; Sammy Chapa, Brownsville Veterans Memorial; Isaiah Muniz, Los Fresnos; Carlos Esteve, St. Joseph Academy
Punter: JJ Sanchez, Los Fresnos
Second team
Quarterback: Randy Aguilar, Pace
Running back: Anthony Cantu, St. Joseph Academy; Albert Banuelos, Los Fresnos
Wide receiver: Pablo Zolezzi, St. Joseph Academy; Joe Cavazos III, Hanna
Tight end: Donovan Trevino, Rivera
Offensive tackle: Travis Rivera, Hanna; Kevin Garza, St. Joseph Academy
Offensive guard: Sebastian San Miguel, Hanna; Brandon Salazar, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Center: Aaron Barrera, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Kicker: Adrian Torres, Los Fresnos
Defensive End: Matthew Ortiz, Los Fresnos; Juan Rodriguez, Lopez
Defensive Tackle: Alexis Galvan, Lopez; Luis Ortiz, Hanna
Linebacker: Christian Pena, Los Fresnos; Carlos Arellano, Lopez; Jose Sanchez, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Secondary: Marco Solis, Lopez; Miguel Payan, Hanna; Tony Medrano, Brownsville Veterans Memorial; Hector Salazar, Pace
Punter: Jesus Saldivar, Port Isabel