By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
When Los Fresnos’ Rene Ortega finally got his turn, he showed what he could do in a big way.
The Falcons’ senior quarterback developed his skills through the program on the freshmen and JV squads during the past three years.
Ortega won the starting varsity role during the offseason and led Los Fresnos to nine wins and a share of the District 32-6A crown and a playoff appearance.
The senior was the top quarterback in the district. He completed 153 of 247 passes (61.9 percent) for more than 2,300 yards and 26 touchdowns, and he ran for more than 500 yards and five scores.
For his tremendous season, Ortega has been named The Brownsville Herald’s 2015 All-Metro Most Valuable Player.
“It’s a blessing honestly, I feel honored completely,” he said. “All the work I put in to get that award, it paid off.”
Los Fresnos coach Clint Finley gave Ortega a few opportunities late last season and in the playoff games to see what he could do. The coach was impressed with what he had seen.
“I had that glimmer of hope,” Finley said.
Ortega developed during each level of competition. As it became quicker, it slowed down in his mind.
“(Rene’s) been huge for us, just a great example,” Finley said. “The possibilities, don’t sell yourself short and don’t give up on your dreams. Where he stated and ended up are polar opposites. That’s a testament to his hard work and sticking with it for four years.”
When running back Isaac Moreno, who was expected to carry the load on offense, was injured in the early part of this season, the Falcons’ coach needed to rely on Ortega even more.
“He has a skillset that we haven’t had around here in a long time, and he was able to help the team out,” Finley said. “It couldn’t have come at a better time.”
With Ortega running the more pass-heavy offense, the Falcons averaged nearly 35 points per game.
“He can throw the football, he has great touch,” Finley said. “He can wing it a long way. He’s not a big kid, but he’s got a great arm. I’ve never had a quarterback that could do that.”
Ortega didn’t feel any pressure to meet or exceed what former Falcons quarterback Pierce Ruiz did last season for Los Fresnos. Ruiz helped the Falcons earn a share of the district title and go a postseason run to the regional quarterfinals.
“It was a lot of weight to pick up where Pierce left off,” Ortega said. “I didn’t try to go off his success, I tried to make my own.”
Finley was happy for his senior quarterback but wishes he could be in a Los Fresnos jersey for one more season.
“I’m very proud of him,” Finley said. “It was a lot of fun coaching a different style of football for a change after a few years of ground and pound. He had that skillset that was unique compared to the previous quarterbacks (I’ve coached). I would have loved to have him back, especially with the experiences he’s gone through.
“There’s no telling what he could do, no telling what he could turn into. But he had a great year this year.”
Ortega said he couldn’t have done anything without his teammates.
“The credit goes out to the team,” he said. “We had a great year both offensively and defensively. Respect to my team, I have a lot of respect for each and every one of those players.”
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.
The Brownsville Herald’s 2015 All-Metro Football Team
Most Valuable Player
Rene Ortega, Los Fresnos
Offensive Player of the Year
Marcus Castillo, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Defensive Player of the Year
Fabian Rodriguez, Los Fresnos
All-Purpose Player of the Year
Kai Money, St. Joseph Academy
Newcomer of the Year
Joe Cavazos, Hanna
Coach of the Year
Tom Campos, Porter
First Team
Quarterback: Andy Lopez, Hanna
Running back: Jorge Gutierrez, Porter; Carlos Garza, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Wide receiver: Pete Perez, Los Fresnos; Jeremiah Meyers, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Tight end: Isaiah Zepeda, Los Fresnos
Offensive tackle: Bruce Waters, Los Fresnos; Milton Botti, Porter
Offensive guard: Juan Lopez, Porter; Rodney Morales, Jr., Hanna
Center: Jorge Montelongo, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Kicker: Andres Rico, St. Joseph Academy
Defensive End: James Vela, Los Fresnos; Brandon Martinez, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Defensive Tackle: Robert Lopez, Los Fresnos; Christian Velasquez, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Linebacker: Sebastian Gonzales, Los Fresnos; Joe Ibarra, Brownsville Veterans Memorial; Ezequiel Cardenas, Hanna
Secondary: Armando Izaguirre, Los Fresnos; Matthew Garcia, Hanna; Victor Aguilar, Brownsville Veterans Memorial; Armando Payan, Porter
Punter: Jose Echavarria, Lopez
Second team
Quarterback: Omar Silva, Port Isabel
Running back: Sammy Cruz, Los Fresnos; Mario Garcia, St. Joseph Academy
Wide receiver: Chris Zuniga, Rivera; Bernie de la Garza, St. Joseph Academy
Tight end: Martin Alvarado, Port Isabel
Offensive tackle: Abraham Caram, St. Joseph Academy; Xavier Perez, Pace
Offensive guard: Pablo Jara, Porter; Jonathan Monsivais, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Center: Kevin Garcia, Porter
Kicker: Humberto Trevino, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Defensive End: Raul Villarreal, Port Isabel; William Larson, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Defensive Tackle: Manny Rodriguez, Porter; Chris Cerda, Hanna
Linebacker: Daniel Puga, Porter; Eliseo Garzoria, Los Fresnos; John Ray Martinez, Port Isabel
Secondary: Javier Hernandez, Port Isabel; Alex Garcia, Los Fresnos; Kevin Fischer, Brownsville Veterans Memorial; David Lapeyre, St. Joseph Academy
Punter: Luis Rodriguez, Pace