BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | THE MONITOR
EDINBURG — Edinburg Vela’s Justin Cantu started playing football in the seventh grade.
Since then, he had only ever played one position: quarterback. But this year, the sophomore has emerged as one of the best receivers in the Valley.
“It just kind of happened,” Cantu said. “I started as a second-string quarterback during spring ball, and then they tried me out at receiver, and it just worked, and I ended up starting.”
Cantu’s 6-foot-2, 187-pound frame beckoned him to the position.
“We see it at all levels when we are watching football, whether it’s on Saturday or Sunday,” Vela coach John Campbell said. “Of all the positions that have grown, so to speak, over the past 5 to 10 years, it’s the wide receiver position, because just like basketball, we recognize that physical stature is definitely an advantage at that position. So to be able to line up a kid that is 6-2 out there at receiver, it gives us some opportunities on some jump balls. And then the perimeter screen game, when you are having to go out there and tackle a 180-pound kid, that is definitely a positive.”
Cantu worked hard to learn the new position.
“Of course it was tough at first, especially because I was learning quarterback and receiver,” Cantu said. “I was brain farting everywhere. I got the hang of it after a while.”
Once things started to click for Cantu, he took off and hit another level. This season, Cantu has 44 catches for 661 yards, the fifth-best mark in the Valley. Cantu has scored six times.
“Playing with Justin is fun,” senior quarterback Nathan Garcia said. “You can see he’s a big boy, so to me, he’s a target. It’s very fun throwing to him. I put a lot of trust in him. … Once you make the plays, you gain the trust. He has done that.”
Vela (9-0, 6-0) remains undefeated heading into Week 11. This week, Edinburg Vela hosts Edinburg Economedes at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at Richard R. Flores Stadium in Edinburg.
“We are excited to play our final game,” Garcia said. “Hopefully, we can come out still undefeated. … We are preparing for this game like we always do. We just have to watch film. We are about to get into the film now. And just come out everyday in practice like it’s our last.”
The Vela receiving corps is skilled all around. Junior Aziel Garcia has 388 yards and three TDs, junior tight end Nico Rodriguez has 265 yards and two TDs, and senior wide receiver Brandon Guzman has 576 yards and seven TDs. Even more valuable than Guzman’s production is his leadership.
“Brandon is a really good leader,” Cantu said. “I look up to him. He teaches me the ways, and he helps me when I’m slacking off.”
“You can’t really put a price tag on that,” Campbell added. “Every coach will tell you that strong senior leadership is invaluable, particularly for the development of your young players. Having a Brandon Guzman around, and Nico, even at tight end, had to play up last year as a sophomore. Kind of having him been there and done that, and then of course Nate, who is a returner, senior, strong leader. That definitely has assisted Justin’s development.”
Cantu bonded with many of those players before he even earned his varsity spot. Cantu ran track, as did Nathan Garcia, Guzman, senior defensive back Nick Enriquez and junior defensive back Daniel Enriquez.
“Track conditioned all of us,” Cantu said. “Not just me, but everybody from the team who ran track.”
“That is one of the things that I have always preached,” Campbell added. “Strong competitive athletes, they are out there competing in multiple sports. And then ultimately, it’s not necessarily the shape or the color of the ball that you are playing with, but it’s your experience in competitive situations against top athletes. I think that helps their development.”
For Cantu, this season has been especially significant. Growing up, his parents lived in separate homes, and he went back and forth. In 2013, Cantu’s mother moved to Corpus Christi. Cantu went, as well, but before his freshman year, he decided to move back to the Valley.
“Of course, it was tough leaving my mom,” Cantu said. “I have been with her my whole life. It’s always been tough being away from my mom or my dad.”
This season, though, football has helped to unite Cantu’s family. His mother has made the trip from Corpus Christi to see him play several times this year.
“It’s amazing,” Cantu said. “I love having my mom up there, because it gives me another reason to play.”