NATHANIEL MATA | THE MONITOR
In just the seventh quarter of the 2017 season, the McAllen Rowe Warriors hit a speed bump during what seemed to be their most promising campaign in years. Starting quarterback Jesus Sanchez went down with an injury to his throwing arm.
It wasn’t a sight anyone in green and gold wanted to see, but a harsh reminder that the game of football can be unforgiving. The game didn’t stop for very long, and soon sophomore Jonas Ortiz went onto the field to replace Sanchez.
“It’s a little scary at times, but I’ve gotten over that already,” Ortiz said. “I had to get over it quick and grow up fast. Going in right after his injury was a little bit of a wake-up call for me.”
Ortiz finished the game, but Rowe was unable to come back against Mercedes, falling 27-20 in Week 2.
After a week of guidance and facing a lesser opponent in his first start at the position, the towering 6-foot-3 quarterback stood tall at home against Brownsville Porter.
Ortiz ran the Rowe offense to the tune of 300 passing yards and four touchdowns. His longest passing play was 49 yards to running back Raudel Garcia for a score as the first half expired.
“It was a little bit of an eye-opener,” Ortiz said. “My first game, I was still getting the butterflies out, but I had to get the team rolling. With these guys, I can’t let my nervousness and some of the feelings and emotions I have get to me, because it’s a big game.”
Every Friday night will feel like the biggest game of his career. He starts district play this week against La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, which prides itself on pass defense and interceptions.
Rowe coach Bobby Flores said he doesn’t see the offense changing very much with the young Ortiz playing. He knows that his skill players, mostly seniors, should step up and use their athleticism.
“The beautiful thing in our offense is that it doesn’t revolve around one person,” Flores said. “It’s going to be the combination of Raudel, Jonas at quarterback, we have Hector Ramirez, Noe Ramirez and Adrian Bernal, so all of those guys with our offense. If we can get it going, it’ll be able to be a lot of misdirection.”
Garcia at running back has been off to a hot start and will continue to be a major cog for Rowe’s offense.
He gained over 100 total yards in the season opener against Edinburg High and eclipsed 200 rushing yards and 250 total yards in his three-touchdown performance against Porter.
“I’m ready for anything. I’m just trying to contribute to my team and try to do the best I can to win,” Garcia said. “We just try to go 110 percent whether we’re passing or running, as long as the line gets me the holes, I’m going to do what I got to do.”
Last year, Ortiz played varsity baseball, started as a ninth-grade quarterback and competed in track and field. But for the sophomore who just celebrated his 15th birthday, not even pitching against varsity hitters as a freshman compared to starting at quarterback on the varsity stage.
Flores has confidence that playing as a freshman and starting at tight end this season can only help the youngster lead.
“He was asked to play tight end for us when Jesus was quarterbacking,” Flores said. “I think he stepped in there fine. Of course, the speed of the game is quicker, but he’s a competitor, and he’ll do fine once we get him going.”
Ortiz also has a unique perspective on football. He grew up with his dad as a football coach around the Valley. Ortiz’s dad currently coaches at Grulla — Rowe’s Week 6 opponent.
“We know we’re competing against each other,” Ortiz said. “We haven’t really said much about it yet. He will be a challenge to our team. They have a good team out there. But he’s definitely been giving me pointers.”
It’s unclear if those pointers will stop when Grulla visits Rowe on Oct. 5, but that’s not the focus just yet.
For now, it’s Juarez-Lincoln and the start of district play.
Underclassmen like Ortiz and much of the offensive line are preparing to play for their teammates who are competing in their last season.
“I’m trying to win some games and play to my best ability for these guys,” Ortiz said. “I’m not going to lose some games for my guys and these seniors that I’m playing for.”