NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER
McALLEN — Long before Octavian Lewis took his place as next in line to be McAllen High’s running back, he assumed the role of man of the house. His mother, Kathy Parum, raised him and his two younger siblings on her own.
Until three years ago, he lived in Arkansas. Then, his mom moved the family from the Deep South to Deep South Texas.
“I kind of had to grow up early, shed the childish things early and set an example for my little brother and sister,” Lewis said. “It kind of came with the territory.”
The summers in Arkansas aren’t much cooler than the Valley’s. But the move wasn’t made for climate or work.
“Moved here because the culture is just calmer,” Lewis said. “My mom decided it was best for the family. We didn’t have a choice. It was dangerous up there. The schools were violent — fights all the time. Moving down here, it was something calm. To me, it’s more chill. It’s just better opportunities down here.”
When Lewis arrived in McAllen, he landed at Travis Middle School. Being the football-loving kid he is, his first friends wore pads.
“The first day of school, we had football sign-ups,” Lewis said. “I was sitting there with my equipment wondering, ‘Where do I go?’ A few guys came to help me out, and ever since then, we’ve been cool.”
Bulldogs coach Kevin Brewer spoke volumes about Lewis’s character.
“He’s an extremely good kid to be around,” Brewer said. “He’s a lot of fun. He’s always got a positive attitude and a smile on his face. We talk about our football team being a family, but when you have kids like that, it truly is an extended family. Me and his mom have a great relationship, and his little sister and little brother, they’re awesome.”
On the field, Lewis is ready to show off his abilities as he earns major minutes for the first time. He was called up to varsity as a receiver last year, but now he returns as the primary running back, with the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield or lined up as a wideout.
“Either way, I just want to help out the team, so if they need a running back, I’m willing to step up and fill the job we need,” Lewis said.
“He’s got a great skill set for the position. He’s a very fluid runner,” Brewer said. “He’s a very institutional runner, good vision. He’s just got to get used to the nuances of playing tailback: ball security and pad level, how to take hits and how to give them, and just be smart with your body. Those are things that are just going to come with time.”
This season, Lewis has minimal distractions, and he can spend 2018 working on creating yards for the Bulldogs. Tito Cantu is a three-year letterman at the fullback position, and he’ll be tasked with being the lead blocker for Lewis on many occasions.
“He’s very shifty whenever he runs the ball or goes on routes,” Cantu said. “It’s good that now we have a running back that can catch the ball and play in different spots. He’s a humble guy and never takes off plays or anything.”
Lewis is the next in line after a series of halfbacks who have been vital to the Bulldogs’ success. Roy Gutierrez is the most recent graduate, the “thunder” in the thunder and lightning duo of Gutierrez and receiver Gunnar Henderson.
Before that era, Josh McGowen roamed the backfield. He used his blazing speed to become The Monitor’s All-Area Offensive Player of the Year in 2015 before forging a career at Stephen F. Austin University.
“I’m looking forward to making a name for myself,” Lewis said. “The last guys, people say they were good, but I want to be just as great. Really show McHi and McAllen what I do as a running back.”
On the first day of school, Lewis helped his freshman brother and sister find their way to their classes at McAllen High. On Friday, they’ll be in the stands with mama watching big brother get his first crack as the varsity starter.