NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER
McALLEN — Wednesdays after school is a mad dash for Jorge Barrera. The senior defensive end leaves his last class at McAllen Rowe High School a few minutes early to grab his instrument and hurry to mariachi practice.
“Every Wednesday, instead of going to (football) practice first I go to rehearsal for mariachi and then after 30 minutes I go straight to practice,” Barrera says. “I actually run to the field so I won’t be late. After practice, I get my guitar and come back home.”
El guittarón is obviously not a small instrument, its name translates to “bigger guitar.” There are still six strings, but it has a deeper body to provide bass in mariachi music.
The size is no problem for Barrera, who spends his Friday nights trying to get around offensive linemen. Plus he has experience with large strings from playing the stand-up bass in the orchestra after moving up from the cello.
His first year playing music officially was in sixth grade when students select an art elective. Orchestra and the cello came easily because those notes echoed through his house since a young age from his older brother.
“I had been introduced with it before, but I started reading music and getting more into it in middle school,” Barrera said.
Mariachi from orchestra or band is an easy transition for a lot of players musically but for Barrera, the music was part of his upbringing and culture.
“I’m from Reynosa, my whole family is Mexican,” Barrera said. “It’s in my roots – that’s what I’m trying to say.”
Even though the mariachi group at Rowe and the musically inclined, Mexican-born football player sounds like a match made in heaven, he needed to find the time in the day.
“This is my first year doing mariachi. I always wanted to be in it but I couldn’t fit in in my schedule but this year I had a free class and I was happy to put mariachi in,” Barrera said. “I had to learn the new instrument, the guitarrón. I had to learn it in like two weeks to try to get familiar with the instrument. It’s the same thing as the double bass but with two extra strings. Luckily I got the hang of it so now I’m part of the mariachi group for Rowe.”
“I have a schedule,” Barrera said. “After (football) practice I usually practice my instruments slash do my homework and just start the next day again.”
On the football field, Barrera has 26 tackles and six for a loss in his senior season. He has five sacks and eight quarterback hurries.
Rowe coach Bobby Flores couldn’t break down his orchestra film but he said on the gridiron his talents are easy to notice.
“The main thing he brings is he’s a very hard guy to block,” Flores said. “He’s a big guy but he has good speed, he doesn’t tire. He has a lot of endurance. Putting him on one end has always given teams trouble.”
He’s strong just as a product of playing such a physical sport at a demanding position but as if he doesn’t have enough on his plate he competes in powerlifting in the spring.
Flores said he’s an example and influence to his relatively young varsity team.
“Jorge is a three-year letterman,” Flores said. “He’s earned it, ever since he’s been a sophomore, he’s been a hard worker. I think that just defines him in general. He’s here every day, he never misses. He’s dedicated to his craft whether it be D-line, whether it be in the orchestra, mariachi. He gives it 100 percent in everything he does.”
Barrera laughed when talking about how he handles so many activities, passes all of his classes and makes an impact on the field.
“Yeah that’s always been me,” Barrera said. “I try to juggle everything. I try not to fall behind but I don’t that much time in the world to make it work.”