By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Thanks to a prolific offense, the Hanna Golden Eagles have put up big numbers, especially from their passing game.
Hanna wide receiver Lucas Olivares has been a major contributor for the Eagles’ offense, either helping move the chains or putting points on the board. But that’s been no surprise to Hanna coach Rene Medrano.
“I think Lucas is having a special year because he has put in the time to do that,” Medrano said. “He really worked hard in the offseason.”
Olivares indeed worked hard, with help from an older brother and his teammates.
“I got the team together, and we tried to work together as much as possible,” he said. “My philosophy is if you practice together and you play together, you’re going to succeed together. It’s all about team effort.”
Olivares said the offseason work that he did with quarterback Andy Lopez has helped tremendously.
“It took a while during the summer for Andy to get used to my speed,” he said, laughing. “The IQ between the quarterback and the receivers is much stronger this year. Our linemen are starting to learnmore, so that’s help our passing game progress. It has to do with the chemistry and playing like a team.”
That chemistry has been evident. The senior has a district-leading 389 yards receiving on 17 catches, including four for touchdowns in four games this season (Hanna was forced to cancel a non-district game due to inclement weather).
The team’s chemistry and connections between Olivares and Lopez along with the other receivers started with off-the-field activities such as team dinners and bonding as friends.
As a team captain, Olivares feels it’s up to him to get the team going or be the example for the others.
“I try to pick up the intensity level anytime I feel the team is lackadaisical,” he said. “I try to pick up the morale and take pride in myself. My behavior affects the other receivers and the offense as well
Olivares tries to set an example for his teammates, but he also tries to keep it loose.
“I try not to take the game too serious,” he said. “I try to make my teammates have fun and laugh, because that’s what its all about.”
Even though the season hasn’t produced as many wins as Medrano would like, having a player like Olivares makes that a possibility every week.
“Hopefully he will continue doing what he’s doing for us, making some big plays for us,” Medrano said. “When he touches the ball, anything can happen. Itsalways good to have someone like that on the team.”
Medrano praised his senior receiver for making himself even better than last year, but also doing it with grace.
“He did a lot of extra work on his own, he was committed to the weight room, and all that is coming into play right now,” Medrano said. “He’s a humble kid. But he’s a big-time team player, so that’s been good for us.”
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.