By MARK MOLINA
Staff Writer
Rio Hondo senior center John Reyes has had a solid football career during his three years with the Bobcats.
Now, he’ll add the finishing touches on that career as he prepares to take the field as the starting center for the West squad at the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl this Sunday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
Reyes has been to two Blue-Grey combines.
He attended one in April, where he took home a top performer award in the bench press and another in the summer where he saw more of the nation’s competition.
Now, even after all the playoff games at Rio Hondo, Reyes looks at Sunday as the biggest moment he’s been a part of.
“Getting to put on the pads one more time means a lot. I get to put on the pads one more time and go out there to hit some people— it’s going to be the game of my life.” Reyes said Wednesday. “This game will solidify what I have done with my career. I can show that I can play with the big boys up there or even have a chance to get a scholarship, which is what I’m hoping for. I can hopefully get noticed.”
Reyes has already opened some eyes.
Despite getting few reps at the second combine due to the amount of other centers also on display, Reyes is the only center listed on the West All-American Team.
The East has multiple centers on their roster, so Reyes may have a whole game as the man upfront for the West squad.
While a little nervous, Sunday will be a spotlight Reyes hopes to get used to after high school.
“Of course there will be nerves out there since it’s going to be sort of like a college atmosphere out there. I just have to go out there and play with everything I’ve got,” Reyes explained. “That’s what my teammates, my coaches and my family know me to do. I’m going to show that we have talent down here in the Rio Grande Valley and that I’m one of the many.”
Reyes comes confident and is happy to be along for the ride right now, but there is one thing which Reyes admits is bittersweet as the biggest night of his football career looms.
That’s not being able to suit up with his suit up with his Rio Hondo teammates.
East will face West at 7 p.m. Sunday night at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium.