By MARK MOLINA | Staff Writer
Since starting on the varsity as a freshman, Porter senior guard Adam Gonzalez knew he was headed for unsung hero territory when he was used as a pure blocking tight end during his first season before moving to guard as a sophomore.
The agile Gonzalez learned to love his blocking duties and felt right at home, making the transition to the offensive line seamless.
“It was pretty fun, but I wasn’t a main tight end that was going to catch passes or anything and I accepted that,” he said. “I like the whole blocking scheme of protecting the quarterback, so when I moved to guard it was much more fun. Now, I’m being pulled here and there and utilized a lot more. It’s really fun getting to be a lot more agile.”
Gonzalez is now the anchor for a Cowboys offensive line behind which dual-threat quarterback in junior Kevin Garcia has rushed for 511 yards and nine touchdowns.
Having a shifty quarterback keeps the line on its toes, but Gonzalez wouldn’t have it any other way as he relishes the opportunity to get out on the run, even if it means getting none of the recognition.
That’s the message the Porter guard hopes to drive home to his linemates.
“I tell my offensive linemen, we’re the ones in the trenches,” Gonzalez said. “We don’t get the attention, but at the end of the day, our coaches know that this team goes as we go, and we’re as good as our weakest linemen. The holes are there, and they’re there because of us. The quarterbacks and running backs get all the glory and headlines in the paper, but at the end of the day we know they appreciate us.”
Porter coach Carlos Uresti said Gonzalez is a model player both on the field and in the locker room, and is a major cornerstone for the Cowboys.
“He’s one of those kids that you want to have in your program,” Uresti said. “Just like a quarterback, he’s the anchor to our offensive line. He’s a four-year starter for me, and he knows what the system’s about and is always leading by example. He’s not real vocal, but he leads by action.”
Getting vocal and wanting to hold players accountable are signs of leadership in most locker rooms, but just not Gonzalez’s M.O.
Instead, the veteran guard pulls his weight by helping keep the team unity solid by any means necessary.
“We started creating that bond like friendship and family,” Gonzalez said. “We have barbecues on the weekend. We go to Golden Corral buffets or IHOP late at night. One night I even took them all out to eat. I’m not trying to be the main one telling everyone to do this or that right. It’s just all about keeping a family bond.”
Said Uresti, “He’s always involved with the offensive line. He’s the anchor. He always tries to get the guys going and always tries to get them together somehow, some way. He’s just trying to forge that bond by being around each other.”
Above all, Gonzalez said forging a bond is the foundation of a mature mindset and strong mentality.
Through that, Gonzalez believes the Cowboys can keep their focus and keep moving forward despite a 1-3 start in District 16-5A Division I play.
“We’re all one unit, and it’s about the amount of work we put in,” he said. “It’ll make us be successful. We just have to keep going. We don’t have the numbers or anything, but we do have the heart.”