DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER
Amonte Bowen was ready to take the reins as Donna High’s quarterback last season. A collarbone injury suffered in the team’s final scrimmage of the preseason, however, limited him to just two games.
Now a senior, Bowen is ready to give it another shot as preseason practices start up Monday. He is one of a few Rio Grande Valley high school football players looking for a rebirth of sorts after experiencing injury-plagued 2014 seasons.
“It’s my last year and the last time I’ll be able to call myself a Redskin,” Bowen said. “I’ve been waiting all offseason, all summer, so when I step back onto that field, it’s nothing but excellence. I’m excited.”
Every athlete deals with injury differently. Bowen found solace in still being on the field, with the exception of Friday nights. During practices he’d watch and mentor quarterback Edward Daugherty and offer pick-me-ups to whoever needed it.
“What I tell our guys is injuries are just a part of the game,” Donna High coach Ramiro Leal said. “But they’re still a part of the team. The components of the team are complicated — starters, backups, managers, trainers, coaches, supporters. It’s just switching roles. An injury doesn’t mean you no longer have any importance.”
Bowen learned from the situation. On the play he got injured, he put his shoulder into a defender, searching for extra yards for a first down. That defender came down and “took out my legs,” Bowen said, forcing Bowen to land with his upper body. Another defender came from behind and fell on top of him. That’s when Bowen heard a snap.
“I watch that play over and over knowing I could’ve just run out of bounds and avoided contact,” Bowen said. “This year I’m not going to risk my body to keep moving the chains. I won’t put it in danger anymore like I used to.”
Bowen worked all offseason on shoulder strength and conditioning. He said he’s never been in better shape as a Redskin.
His return will boost Donna High’s offense. With the Redskins a favorite for the District 32-5A championship, Bowen provides a welcomed dynamic with his versatility — he played quarterback, tailback, receiver and tight end as a sophomore — and strength.
“Wherever coach puts me, I’m going to give my best and do whatever I can to help this team,” Bowen said.
OTHER PLAYERS LOOKING TO REBOUND FROM INJURY:
JOSEPH GAMEZ, PSJA MEMORIAL SR. DEFENSIVE END: The 5-foot-11, 205-pound Gamez was expected to be a defensive stalwart for the Wolverines last year, but he tore his ACL during the second game of the season. His recovery, however, has been impressive. “As far as work ethic, he’s second to none,” PSJA Memorial first-year coach Michael Uribe said. “He missed no days during strength and conditioning. He is 100 percent cleared and he looks great, and because of his hard work we expect big things from him this season because he deserves it.”
ISAAC VELA, MERCEDES SR. RUNNING BACK: Vela hurt his leg during a Sept. 15 practice, missed three games and then played in bits as he was never completely healthy the rest of the way. In all, he played in just 6 of 11 games for the Tigers. “He’s had a tremendous spring,” Mercedes coach Roger Adame said. “He put on about 15 pounds of muscle and his speed is still there. He’s full go. He’s everything we expect out of a senior and he’s determined and motivated to leave his mark here at Mercedes. We lean on his leadership.”
LEO MARTINEZ, GRULLA SR. WIDE RECEIVER: A collarbone injury also haunted Grulla’s top pass-catcher during 2014. Martinez suffered the injury during the preseason last year and was sorely missed. He was sidelined the first six games of the season, all Grulla losses. Martinez’s presence will help juice a Gators offense that averaged 13.6 points last season.