By CLAIRE CRUZ, Staff Writer
Marlon Montelongo wore a lot of different hats in his three seasons with the Brownsville Veterans Memorial Chargers.
He started his varsity career playing cornerback as a sophomore, then moved to running back as a junior. He took the reins of the offense as the team’s No. 1 quarterback to start his senior season, but his role developed into something much bigger as the season progressed.
Montelongo finished the season lining up as a quarterback, running back and receiver all in one game. He accounted for 165 total yards of offense per game as he tossed for 340 yards, ran for 440 and caught 215. He scored six touchdowns this past season, finding the end zone at least once in each of his three positions. Montelongo is The Brownsville Herald’s All-Metro football all-purpose player of the year.
“(This award) means a lot because it represents that I did what the team needed, and I’m just glad I was able to do that,” Montelongo said. “It means a lot that (my coaches) trusted me to lead the offense and ask of me what needed to be done. I feel like I did what was expected and even more.”
Brownsville Veterans coach David Cantu said Montelongo’s versatility was the key that helped him excel at multiple positions. He praised the athlete’s intelligence and team-first mindset, which motivated him to take on a variety of responsibilities.
“He demonstrated fearlessness and a determination to compete anywhere he was needed,” Cantu said. “Marlon possessed a team-first mentality, and his willingness to do what was best for the team far outweighed any individual goals for any one position.”
Montelongo credited his ability to learn and adapt quickly to aiding his versatility. Starting the season as the quarterback, he had a deep knowledge of the offense from the jump, which made it easier for him to move around.
Montelongo said the in-game adjustments that came with playing three different positions in a game were challenging, like having to “learn the tendencies of each and every single defender (he’d) face,” but he answered the call.
The senior did a lot of positive things for the Chargers during his final season, but something that stuck out most was his first passing touchdown. Montelongo called getting that experience and having any kind of season his senior year a gift, and he was thankful to have one last chance to make memories with his coaches and teammates.
He hopes he left an impact on the underclassmen in the program, showing them that the best thing a player can do for their team is anything that will help it succeed.
“We did not have to play, and some people would say we should not have. The fact that we did get to play was just a gift,” Montelongo said. “I think I left a little message to the younger guys that you do not have to just do one thing, you should contribute to the team wherever you are needed.”