BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | STAFF WRITER
EDINBURG — Edinburg High senior linebacker Raymond Quintanilla looks like he was crafted in a factory to play linebacker.
His muscular physique combined with his speed makes him a nightmare for opposing offenses.
That wasn’t always the case, however.
“I was never a standout player growing up,” Quintanilla said.
He started off at quarterback, but he soon discovered he was meant for defense. When he started playing in third or fourth grade, he quickly navigated to the defensive line, where he felt most comfortable on the field.
In sixth grade, he moved to linebacker for the first time, and the position fit him like a glove.
Even as he grew and learned more of the game, he still didn’t believe he was anything special on the field.
On Friday nights now, Quintanilla lines up in his Bobcats uniform next to senior linebacker Athen Villanueva.
“When I was younger, we always competed for the spot,” Quintanilla said of he and Villanueva. “I have been playing with him since middle school, and he always beat me for the spot.”
Now the two are inseparable, and they compliment each other well on the field.
“I trust my middle linebacker, my buddy Athen,” Quintanilla said. “We are real close. He showed me that he can play last year. He did what he had to do. … He’s always pushing the guys, motivating them. He is always helping everyone out, calling the huddle, calling the plays correctly, very few errors.”
Freshman year was when things started to shift for Quintanilla. He was moved back to line for the season, and it wasn’t the ideal spot for him. But then, in spring ball, coach J.J. Leija took over the program and immediately spotted Quintanilla. Leija moved him back to linebacker, and the move sparked Quintanilla to hit the next level.
Quintanilla is known among his teammates for his regimented summer weightlifting sessions.
“In the weight room, he is hard on us,” senior quarterback Matt Cruz said. “He leads it. Tells us what weight and what we should do.”
During Quintanilla’s freshman year, he was able to power clean (his favorite lift) about 175 pounds. Today, he is teetering on the edge of lifting 300 pounds. He can squat 460-475.
Those numbers are a direct result of the work he has put in over the last three years. He credits his father for pushing him to greater heights.
Quintanilla was crafted, but not by magic or technology. He was crafted by hard work and Bobcats pride.
Heading into his senior year, almost any Bobcat will tell you he is the heart and soul of the team. He is the type of player that every coach wishes he had.
“I have nothing but high praise for that man, because he is a truly remarkable person, on and off the field,” Leija said.
Quintanilla is so committed to the team, he even took up punting.
“It started my sophomore year when they called specialties,” Quintanilla recalled. “I had nowhere to go, so I stuck with the punters, and it kind of took off from there.”
Quintanilla knew he had a strong leg, but he just didn’t think it would translate to the motion of punting a football. It did, and he assumed the primary punting role for the Bobcats.
“It was a surprise to me. I knew I had a leg, but I never thought I could punt like that. I just never knew I could kick a football that far. Not even that far, right,” Quintanilla paused to chuckle, “but far enough.”
TWO-HEADED MONSTER
Last season, running back Hearlin Benavides set the Edinburg High single-season record for rushing yards with 1,678. It was a breakout year for Benavides, but it was a long road getting there.
“My sophomore year, during spring ball, it was an inside play,” Benavides said. “I tried busting a cut, and I got tackled by my leg, and that is when my foot broke.”
Benavides was devastated. He wanted so badly to get back out on the field. He spent every second he could trying to get his foot back to full health.
“I tried rushing it a little bit because I really wanted to play my sophomore season. I rushed it,” Benavides repeated, the regret apparent in his eyes. “I came back to practice, and I did the same cut move, and it messed me up all over again.”
Benavides missed his entire sophomore season, setting up his comeback. Now, heading into his senior year, the expectations are sky-high.
“Hearlin has big shoes to fill, to become one of the best backs to come out of Edinburg High School,” Leija said. “He already has the season record for most yards in Edinburg High School history. He’s still pushing himself to be the best. … We are hoping to have some threats there, that can help open him up. We are expecting big things from Hearlin. He has had a great offseason. He’s been dedicated to the team, as always.”
One of the weapons that may open things up for Benavides is junior Erik Cano.
Last year, Cano was, as Cruz described it, “a spark plug for the offense.” He exploded for over 400 yards of offense in a three-game stretch and took a lot of pressure off of the offense in crucial moments.
Cano played quarterback during his freshman year, and he could take some reps there this year.
“We are looking at maybe using him at quarterback, as well, and at the receiver position,” Leija said. “He is a guy that has to be on the field. He can’t be on the sideline. He had a good year last year. He had a good offseason in track, and we are expecting big things from him.”
Leija was clear that in no way is there competition. Cruz is his starter. Cano is a weapon they can use in multiple ways to help Cruz, Benavides and the rest of the offense.
FAMILIAR FACE
Leija made just one move on his coaching staff, and it was an easy call to make. Stevan Guerrero was moved up to receivers coach.
Guerrero was a quarterback at Edinburg until he graduated in 2010. He went on to play at the collegiate level. After he graduated, he came back to Edinburg High to begin his coaching career.
Guerrero is also an assistant on the basketball team.
“A lot of my coaches are dual-sport coaches,” Leija said. “My offensive coordinator is the head track coach. My defensive coordinator is the head baseball coach. My defensive tackle coach is the head powerlifting coach. … It’s about Edinburg High School, not about just one sport.”
Guerrero has a connection with many players who play both sports.
“Our relationship is very strong. I see those guys all year,” Guerrero said. “I see them more than I see anybody in my family. I am around them for eight months out of the year.”
Cruz, who plays point guard on the basketball team, was glad to see Guerrero in the new role.
“It’s pretty cool to have him out here,” Cruz said. “He is a little hard on us sometimes, but he is a great coach.”
Cruz and Guerrero have a strong relationship, bonding over the shared experience at the quarterback position.
“I think I have a unique relationship with Matt,” Guerrero said. “He is a kid that you can really speak to. He is probably a little bit more mature than your average kid. He can handle a lot of different things. He has a great mind for football and basketball. He is a great kid to coach. It has been amazing to watch him grow over the last three years.”