By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
Athletes such as Irving Perez and Jose Echevarria are the lifeblood of the Lopez Lobos’ sports program.
Throughout the school year they participate in athletics, including football, soccer and track.
Right now their focus is on soccer.
The Lobos opened District 32-6A competition Tuesday with a 2-0 victory against Los Fresnos at Sams Memorial Stadium. Echevarria, a sophomore midfielder, scored both goals to highlight the victory. Perez, a junior defender, helped Lopez secure the shutout.
The Lobos are expected to face a strong challenge during their next district game at 7:30 p.m. Friday against Harlingen South at Boggus Stadium.
Lopez boys soccer coach Amadeo Escandon said it’s a plus to have players who have improved as athletes through their participation in another sport.
“These fine student-athletes bring (to soccer) the tactical discipline and power and strength that football gives them,” Escandon said. “It is an absolute blessing to work with athletes like ‘Chevy’ (Jose) and Irving, for not only are they enamored of ‘futbol’ (soccer), they live it.”
Actually, Echevarria is a rare athlete with two nicknames. He first acquired the nickname “Sandy” before picking up his second nickname of “Chevy” sometime around his middle school days. He said of the two nicknames, he prefers “Chevy,” which apparently is a derivative of his last name.
Echevarria has mixed feelings about his football season. He received newcomer of the year honors as a slot receiver who made plays running and catching the ball. He also punted and sometimes was the team’s kicker. He was one of the bright spots for the Lobos in football. Now he wants to give his best effort in soccer, too.
“I felt good how it went for me (individually), but I didn’t feel that great because we didn’t go far (as a team),” Echevarria said. “I wanted to win more games than what we won. There’s always next year.
“(In soccer,) the chances are that we have a great team that can go far,” he added. “We know each other from outside (the field) and from years ago, so I think those are reasons we’re going to do well.
“These guys have a lot of heart for the team with a lot of passion for the sport and everything. That’s a great thing to have.”
Perez, a starter at cornerback on the football team, appreciates the opportunity to participate in multiple sports for the Lobos just like his teammate.
“It helps you have discipline, and every season it gets me ready for the next one,” said Perez, who missed most of his junior year of football after suffering a dislocated elbow during the Lobos’ opening district game. “Football didn’t go as well as I expected, but I was still there for my team (after my injury). I’m OK now even though it still hurts a little when it’s cold, but you just have to live through it. I’ll be ready for football next season.”
Having had his football campaign cut short due to injury, Perez wants to make the most of his time in soccer. He sees success this season for the Lobos.
“We’ve got a good team, and I think we’re headed to the playoffs,” he said. “Everybody motivates everybody, so it’s a good team. I just want to defend well and give good passes to my teammates.
“Our coaches tell us that you have to go 100 percent on every play. It doesn’t matter (what might happen). You’ve got to keep going forward.”
Football followed by soccer followed by track. Neither of the two Lopez athletes would have it any other way.
“You don’t get to rest (between seasons) and, yes, you get tired, but if you’re going to be successful then you’ve got to be like that,” Echevarria said. “I just thank the coaches for having trust in me.”
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess.