BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
EDINBURG — Though Adrian Rivera has played just five games this season, his brief time on the gridiron has translated into high-impact play for Edinburg North.
Since first suiting up for the Cougars on Sept. 25, the senior receiver has totaled 327 yards and four touchdowns on 24 receptions. During North’s tour through District 31-6A, Rivera has frustrated Weslaco East, drawn double teams against PSJA North and been a steady presence on a Cougars team that has seen its share of ups and downs.
But Rivera almost never saw the field this year, and resigned himself to missing his final season after receiving some bad news on Sept. 8, his birthday.
“I was hoping for the best,” Rivera said. “And after practice, coach (Rene Saenz) come up to me and said, ‘It looks like you’re not allowed to play,’ What a birthday present, right?”
Rivera moved to Edinburg from Kingsville during the summer in order to live with his father and younger brothers. In the offseason, Rivera spent time in the gym getting to know his teammates.
But in order for the wideout to play, he first had to clear his transfer with the District 31-6A Executive Committee. Obstructing Rivera’s hopes was a piece of paper — a Previous Athletic Participation Form filled out by Kingsville King coach Teddy Carrier that stated Rivera’s move was for athletic reasons. UIL does not allow student-athletes to participate in sports if they move solely for athletic purposes.
“Whenever that little box on the sheet is checked, that’s when things get sticky,” Saenz said.
Rivera’s transfer request was denied by the DEC, which meant a trip to UIL headquarters in Austin wherein he plead his case to play for the Cougars.
“I had to answer a whole bunch of questions,” Rivera said. “They kept asking me why I moved to Edinburg. I always said it was family reasons. I wanted to spend my last year in high school with my little brothers. I wanted to play as well. I told them they’d never understand how much the game of football means to me.”
The UIL sided with Rivera, who calls the decision one of the best days of his life.
“It was so hard to go through practice and the drills and not be able to be out there helping my team,” Rivera said. “I got tired of just wearing jeans and a jersey on game day.”
His first game came during a 38-34 loss against Weslaco East. Though the Cougars came away empty-handed, Rivera finished with 154 yards and two touchdowns on nine catches.
“He’s a tremendous athlete,” Saenz said. “His hand-eye coordination is down, he’s got the speed to beat anybody. He’s so good, he’d probably be our quarterback if we didn’t already have one.”
That quarterback is junior Cristian Espionza, who has enjoyed playing alongside his new target.
“He makes things easier for me as a passer,” Espnioza said. “You just throw the ball anywhere near him, and he’s a threat to go get it.”
As the Cougars (3-6, 2-3) prepare for Friday’s winner-take-all showdown against Edinburg Economedes (4-5, 2-3) for 31-6A’s final playoff spot, Rivera fluffs off any added pressure given what’s at stake.
“For me, every game is like a playoff game this season,” he said. “It’s my last year. I’m just trying to go out there and have fun with it and not think too much.”
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