KEVIN NARRO and MARK MOLINA | Staff Writer
Several East Valley football players got an opportunity to suit up and hit the football field this past Saturday in the 2nd Annual Texas High School All-Star Showcase Bowl at the South Side Stadium in San Antonio.
Representing the West squad from San Benito were quarterback Smiley Silva, wide receiver Juan Constante, defensive back Hector Avalos and linebacker John Daniel Gonzales.
Brownsville Veterans Memorial linebacker Jason Ambriz, defensive lineman Alex Villarreal and running back Mauricio Garza and Rivera’s Elian Hernandez represented the Brownsville area.
Despite the 31-7 loss to the East side, the seniors had an opportunity to showcase their skills.
“Coach (Dan) Gomez got a call from the coaching staff and we were able to take advantage of the opportunity,” Silva said. “It was a great experience playing with different teammates…they were from all over the state. We went out there and took in the experience. It was a chance for us to put our names out there for college scouts and I’m blessed that I was able to play another game with my San Benito teammates.”
The team was made up from teams from around the region, Calallen, San Antonio Wagner, O’Conner, Stevens and Madison to name a few.
“It was honestly an amazing experience,” Gonzales said. “We got to play with guys from across the state. There were guys with a lot of talent and it was surreal being able to play on the same field as them and being able to be on the same team.”
With Hernandez representing a Raiders team undergoing a culture change, first-year head coach Beto Leal said having his senior wideout play in an all-star game was a big step.
“We’re really proud of (Hernandez); it was well-deserved,” Leal said. “All year long during his senior year with a new coaching staff, he never missed a day of practice and he has a great work ethic, grades and has done everything he can do his senior year to play at the next level. To have a kid from Rivera playing in that all-star game gives other kids an opportunity to see that we’re trying to get things done over here and we have kids that can play at the next level — Elian showed it.”
Hernandez caught 26 passes for 451 yards and three scores this season to lead the Raiders.
Garza caught 19 passes for 392 yards and four touchdowns, while rushing for 184 yards and five more scores.
Silva put together a strong season for the Greyhound offense, racking up 1,519 yards passing with 13 touchdowns to go with 1,458 and 14 touchdowns on the ground.
Constante led the San Benito offensive in catches with 45, yards with 845 and receiving touchdowns with nine.
Defensively, Gonzales led the defense in solo tackles with 109 and recorded nine tackles for loss. Avalos finished with 95 tackles on the year.
Villarreal tallied 49 total tackles (17 solo) and two sacks on the season, while Ambriz racked up 76 total tackles (33 solo), one interception, one sack and forced two fumbles.