BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | STAFF WRITER
EDINBURG — Edinburg Vela’s sensational quarterback was told just weeks before the season that he would not play this year.
During the summer, the dual-sport flamethrower worked on his pitching, his fastball reached 87 MPH. He also did a lot of work with the football team, studying the playbook and calls, and playing with his receivers, developing chemistry.
As he was winding down his summer, a few weeks before the start of school, Sotelo felt a twinge in his arm, followed by pain.
Sotelo had torn his Ulnar Collateral Ligament, a common baseball injury. The injury usually requires Tommy John surgery, which comes with a 6-to-9 month recovery time.
“When I first went to the doctor, they told me I couldn’t play,” Sotelo said. “We scheduled the checkup after that. I went to therapy three times a week. Did some extra workouts on the side, just trying to get stronger and stronger. Finally, when I went up for my last checkup, they said ‘ok, we will clear you.’”
Sotelo missed Edinburg Vela’s final scrimmage against PSJA High. He came into the season opener against Laredo United with just one day of practice under his belt.
“It was hard. I was still there getting the mental reps, but of course, it’s not the same as getting the actual live reps,” Sotelo said.
In his first live game, with no safety net, Sotelo completed 9-of-15 passes, but for just 25 yards.
“The first couple games, we weren’t sure,” senior running back Christian Flores said. “Coach too, he was shuffling (senior) Elijah (Trujillo) in. But (Sotelo) stepped up during district, and he started showing out and put scores in.”
To make things even tougher on Sotelo, there were several other talented quarterbacks on the roster. Trujillo knew the system. Senior Frankie Zuniga, a transfer from Edinburg North, had the best completion percentage in the Valley the previous year, before he was injured. Freshman Chase Campbell came into Vela with a lot of hype, and the two knew each other from their standout careers at South Middle School.
The competition was fierce, but the coaching staff put their faith in Sotelo. Aside from a few series from Trujillo, Sotelo never lost any snaps. He made every snap he took count, and through his play, he earned the right to be known as Vela’s starter.
Flores said by the time the SaberCats reached their first district game against Edinburg North, the team knew Sotelo was the right man under center.
Now, there is no denying how talented the sophomore is.
“AJ has probably got one of the best arms that I have been around. He’s right there with Nathan (Garcia, who graduated last year from Vela),” Flores said. “He’s a good quarterback, he is growing. I mean, he’s only a sophomore. He’s getting a ton of experience being with us older guys, and it is good that he is getting this playoff experience so early in his career.”
“This guy has been amazing all season long,” senior receiver Aziel Garcia said. “Starting off from the first game, he has made tremendous strides every week. It is incredible to see him play so well.”
Sotelo has completed 146-of-224 passes this year for 2,111 yards and 25 touchdowns to just 5 interceptions.
“He has been calm and locked in all year,” senior left tackle Jayden Borjas said. “He is uncharacteristically mature for a sophomore, and that has been important to our offense this year.”
In Vela’s area round playoff game against Laredo Alexander, Sotelo went 18-for-20 for 278 yards and 5 TDs.
Garcia was a spark for Sotelo, catching fire with five receptions for 129 yards and 4 touchdowns.
“It was insane to watch,” Garcia said. “To know that he has two more years here, he is going to be a great player for us.”
After the season, Sotelo will get another MRI on his elbow to determine if he still needs surgery.
“Hopefully it comes out clean,” Sotelo said. “With the way I have been throwing the football, I am pretty confident.”
The journey from the inexperienced, injured sophomore quarterback who was getting pulled at halftime, to now being the leading force behind Vela’s run back to the third round of the playoffs has been tough. Sotelo never complained. Never talked about the injury. He never wanted any sympathy; he wanted to earn respect instead. He did.
Staying positive and focused on the goal of getting better was the key for Sotelo.
“Thank God He has allowed me to go through this whole football season,” Sotelo said. “I like to take on challenges. I feel like I am pretty good with facing adversity. When there is a challenge, I say bring it on. It is only going to make me better.”
Now, Sotelo leads his team into battle, as the SaberCats prepare to take on the Austin Westlake Chaparrals in the Class 6A-DII Regional Semifinals, at 7:30 Friday in Corpus Christi.
“I’m very excited for the game,” Sotelo said. “As a team we have to play perfectly and minimize our mistakes. We just have to come out confident. Mentally ready. We just have to execute the game plan that we have set up for us, because if we get it done, we can win.”