MISSION — The second-level of Mission Veterans’ “Blue Dawg Defense” is spearheaded by a pair of tackling machines in seniors Luis De Hoyos and Cody Von Wald.
Tracking down ball-carriers like heat-seeking missiles, the two form one of the top defensive tandems across the Rio Grande Valley, delivering a pounding any time teams face the Patriots.
“Everybody’s flying to the ball. We play as a team,” said De Hoyos, a two-time Texas Sports Writers Association all-state selection.
Last season, De Hoyos ranked amongst the best defenders with 189 total tackles, No. 14 in Texas in any classification, according to Max Preps. He had 23 tackles for loss, five sacks and five fumble recoveries in 2021. The speedy linebacker packs a punch and is always around the ball, terrorizing opposing offenses.
Lining up beside De Hoyos is his middle linebacker partner Von Wald, a four-year letterman who piled up 93 total stops, 11 tackles for loss, five sacks and two forced fumbles in 2021. Von Wald has the size to fight off blocks, a nose for finding the ball and a tendency to lay the wood when he gets there.
“(Those plays) build momentum. It’s just business out there,” he said. “Our coaches really make sure we come out with intensity and a sense of urgency.”
The two credit defensive coordinator Simon Mendoza for setting them up to succeed in leading the Patriots’ defense. The two have shown a knack for making drive-killing plays with tackles behind the line of scrimmage or thwarting another pass play by blitzing and bringing down a quarterback.
“Having a good defensive coordinator like (Coach) Mendoza, he puts us in the right position all the time so we just do whatever he tells us,”De Hoyos said.
“The ‘Blue Dawg Defense’ is a big part of our culture, our defense is a real big part of our program. I just want to thank Coach Mendoza for putting us in the right spot,” Von Wald said.
Playing with one common goal helps the Patriots stay on the same page. Mission Veterans won a share of the District 16-5A DII championship last season and earned a bi-district round playoff win over Medina Valley.
This season, they’re chasing another district championship and are out to shut down offenses as the leaders of the Mission Veterans’ defense.
“We go by ‘One Heartbeat’, and we play like it,” De Hoyos said.