BROWNSVILLE — Brownsville St. Joseph quarterback Ethan Gallegos only had one year to make his mark with the Bloodhounds.
The senior did.
Gallegos threw for 2,964 yards and 37 touchdowns, along with 960 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. The quarterback is now headed to join former Brownsville Veterans Memorial coach Kelley Lee at Eastern New Mexico University.
“It was a lot of hard work that got me here,” Gallegos said. “I thank my family and friends for supporting me throughout the whole process.”
Gallegos transferred to Brownsville St. Joseph from Weslaco High for his senior year. The Bloodhounds went 8-3 and hosted a bi-district playoff game.
“We would have never been as good as we were this year if Ethan did not transfer to St. Joe,” Bloodhounds head football coach Tino Villarreal said. “The QB position here at St. Joe is the most important. The hole was huge, and we had no idea how to fill the void. In comes Ethan Gallegos, and the rest is history.”
Gallegos replaced Luigi Cristiano, who replaced Kai Money, two four-year starters at the position. Villarreal said Gallegos did a tremendous job learning the system in a year.
“Couldn’t be more proud,” Villarreal said. “I wish we had him for three more years. He is a kid that has an amazing work ethic and is as tough as nails.”
Gallegos joins a long list of Rio Grande Valley athletes who are headed to Eastern New Mexico University. Brownsville Veterans’ Bryan Chavez, Brownsville Hanna’s Kriz Perez, San Benito’s Homer Quiroz and La Feria’s Justin Rodriguez have already signed.
The senior, like other players on the list, had options but instead opted for a spot to compete at the NCAA Division II school that plays football in the Lone Star Conference.
“Once they came into the picture, it was an easy decision for me,” Gallegos said.
Gallegos has played with the Valley commits at the RGVCA All-Star game and is now excited to join them in New Mexico. The quarterback plans to study sports science at the university.
Signing on Wednesday always has been a dream since he started playing football, Gallegos said.