BY MARK MOLINA | The Brownsville Herald
Rivera Raider center Justin Garza has learned how to play every position on the offensive line during his time on the varsity level, which he admits was a struggle as an underclassmen.
Three years later, the Raider lineman is using the knowledge he gained during those struggles to lead as the lone senior on the offensive line.
“ My sophomore year, I struggled playing in my first year of varsity because it was hard and fast compared to JV,” Garza said. “(The upperclassmen) picked me up when I was down. They never put me down as a person and that’s what I’m trying to carry on with this team.”
Aside from Garza, the Raiders have three underclassmen and a junior on the offensive line.
It’s been a struggle during Rivera’s 0-5 start to the season, but head coach Tom Chavez said having Garza at center has really helped in the line’s development thus far.
“ He’s the only senior on our offensive line with the other guys being sophomores and a junior,” Chavez said. “He’s done a great job and he’s very positive. He calls the protections that we have on the line. He gets trough to all the guys and he’s definitely the leader of our o-line for sure.”
Garza’s expectations for the offensive line are simple as he urges his teammates to stay focused, never do anything half-heartedly and be punctual.
“ Always be on time,” he said. “Be here a little early. The saying is that if you’re early, you’re on time. If you’re on time, you’re late. That’s a good saying.”
Garza also wants nothing to do with the negative vibes in the locker room.
Positive reinforcement always has been key for the veteran lineman when it comes to being a leader.
“ I tell them to be positive and don’t ever be negative,” Garza said. “If you’re negative, you’re not going to do well in the game. I always tell them ‘Keep your heads up; don’t ever discourage yourself. Be disciplined and don’t let anyone discourage you as a player. For the young guys, it’s a learning year and eventually they’ll be better.’”
Keeping a positive attitude has been easier said than done over the last couple of years with Rivera enduring three straight losing seasons and currently on a 14-game skid dating back to last season.
Still, Garza tells his teammates to keep moving forward no matter what.
Chavez said the entire team shares that same vibe.
“ We’re all positive, not only (Garza),” the Raiders coach said. “We’ve had some bad injuries that have held us back and that are tough to overcome. The whole team is alright. We don’t give up, we don’t quit and they play as hard as they can every week.”
One of those injuries was to starting quarterback Ariel Gonzalez, forcing freshman Ramsey Rocha to be tossed into the mix under center and learn on the fly
Garza knows what position the young Rocha is in, so his goal is to keep him as safe as possible.
“ We just have to keep (Rocha) safe,” Garza said. “He’s a young guy … I’m trying to protect my quarterback. He’s a good kid and quarterback, just like all the others we’ve had. I want to protect him the best way I can.”.