By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
For the second time in a few years, Brownsville Veterans Memorial defensive back Kevin Fischer has had to return from injury.
This time the return was grandiose. Fischer had three interceptions — including one he returned nearly the length of the football field for a touchdown — during a District 32-6A victory last week against Rivera.
But what his return to the defense means is something even bigger.
“Knowing how important this football team is to him and to make a big impact in an important game, it was really special for me,” Brownsville Veterans coach David Cantu said. “I really think the world of Kevin.”
Fischer was a varsity receiver as a sophomore when an ACL injury ended his season. But he battled back to become a contributor with the secondary during his junior season. This year, while working on football-related drills, he injured his ankle days before practices were to start. His comeback was brief during a non-district game before he reaggravated the injury.
The senior has worked hard to get back to the field and seems to be making up for lost time.
“I just wanted to be out there with my teammates because I missed it,” Fischer said. “They’re my brothers, and I wanted to be out there with them.”
It seems to be no coincidence that the Chargers’ defense has improved with his return. Last week, Brownsville Veterans held Rivera to 173 yards, recorded six sacks and of course intercepted the Raiders quarterback three times, all by Fischer, to spark the win. The Chargers are now third in the district by allowing 298 yards per game.
“I think we as a coaching staff feel more confident when No. 9 (Fischer) is on the field,” Cantu said.
Fischer is a team captain and is held in high regard by Cantu.
“Kevin exemplifies the best qualities of this football team: being humble, being hard working and just having a ‘we will’ mentality,” Cantu said. “He is someone you can count on, year round, during the offseason and every day during the summer.
“He is constantly trying to get better … I’m very proud of him.”
Fischer will be needed this week as the Chargers’ defense faces the top passer in the district in Hanna quarterback Andy Lopez on Saturday in The Herald’s Game of the Week.
As much as the drive to get back on field to help his teammates was for Fischer, he also is focused on helping his team return to the postseason.
“Being that we missed the playoffs (the) past few years, it hurts, it really hurts, because we were so close,” he said. “This year it’s very important that we make the playoffs because that’s what we’ve strived to do since my sophomore year.
“Last year it was the goal to make the playoffs, but this year the goal is to win a district championship because we feel like we can. We’re good enough to win it.”
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.