NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER
McALLEN – McAllen Memorial’s Ethan Bazan had some room in front of him after catching a wide-open pass at Mission High’s 48-yard line last Friday. He took the long route around would-be tacklers to the end zone as he zigged and zagged nearly half the field for a 67-yard touchdown reception. It was his first of two touchdowns that night.
He celebrated with his teammates but more subtly he touched the tape on his wrists and pointed toward the heavens. There was a message on the tape.
That day – Sept. 27 – signified more to Bazan than just the important football game his Memorial Mustangs were playing against a district opponent. That night also marked 10 years since his mother, Summer Meland, was murdered just days before his eighth birthday.
“They told me the day after it happened, it caught me by surprise,” Bazan said. “It was a pretty traumatic experience in my life that from that day I learned from. I used it to move forward in my life.”
The speedy senior, who turns 18 today, has been solid on the field, but those 48 minutes a week ago under the lights are just a glimpse of a life that was drastically changed.
“It was 10 years ago that night so I just wore (the tape) to signify that it was 10 years and that I always play for her and that everything I do is for her,” Bazan said after practice Wednesday. “I had to grow up pretty fast. Me and my older brother had to step up and take care of things at the house. We have a little brother and I think I raised him pretty good. I’m always there for him.”
His childhood was changed and his growth as a person was forced to speed up.
“It’s been pretty difficult not turning to someone that you usually turn to in a situation, whether at home or at school,” Bazan said. “I’ve learned to battle through the adversity and keep moving forward. Football has been a great help in easing the pain.”
On the gridiron, Bazan has a had breakout past few weeks. He’s gone for 296 receiving yards and three scores in his team’s previous two games, a loss against Vela and comeback win against Mission.
Bazan is the second person in his family to play receiver for Memorial. His brother Jayce, who started on the baseball field, also wore the same colors.
“It feels pretty good because here at Memorial we’re all about tradition,” Bazan said. “I love living out the tradition for McAllen Memorial.”
Off the field, Bazan lives with father Jayce Bazan as well as his grandparents Luule Moreno, Rolando Moreno and Hope Bazan.
“He has a good supporting cast,” Memorial coach Bill Littleton said. “Anytime a young man or young lady loses their one of their parent it’s always tough. It’s always an experience that, growing up, it’ll never be the same for him. His father and his grandparents do a great job of raising him, they’re in his life every day.”