Underclass and flying fast

Lucy Hernandez, Writer/Public Relations Manager/ News Editor

October 23, 2013

Before his after school practice begins, Ryan Collins, 10, arrives to the football field to improve his skills for the upcoming games vs. Huntington Beach. “Grind hard, work hard, play hard,” Collins said.

Not just your average underclassmen, freshman Trevor Hill, junior Jacob Garcia, and sophomore Ryan Collins are just three of the underclassmen who have surpassed expectations set for them by playing in the 2013-2014 CIF winning varsity football team.

After originally practicing with the freshman, Hill showed dedication and talent; he was asked to join varsity and jumped at the opportunity. Not only does he practice with the varsity team, he also pulls double duty by continuing to practice with the freshman team.

“It’s a really great experience to help me grow as a person and a player,” Hill said.

Hill is also on the team with his older brother, senior and former quarterback, Conor Hill, who is nothing less than a star athlete himself.

“It’s a good experience for us both,” Hill said, “and it’s great for us both and it’s great to be able to play football with him.”

Hill hopes to play varsity all four years of high school and is keeping his fingers crossed for a full scholarship to a California State University or Stanford University.

Junior Jacob Garcia joined Hill in football this year after varsity Coach Williams saw how hard he worked to achieve his goals, and asked him to be a part of the team.

“It feels really good being approached by Williams after all the hard work,” Garcia said.

Garcia follows a set of strict personal standards and strives to be a leader and a role model for others. He tries to come out on top against his opponents and pushed himself to the limit. Not only does he compete against other, he challenges himself.

Although Garcia does not have a blood brother on the team, he has found a brother in starter Art Gomez. He finds guidance from him when he is lost on a play or is unsure of what to do.

Even though Garcia does not plan on pursuing a professional career in football, he does plan on pursuing a career as a contractor and wants to go to trade school in Utah.

Collins also pulls double duty and has to practice twice as hard as any returning varsity player.

“It’s a privilege.” Collins said, “I can be moved down at any moment so i have to go hard in the game all the time.”

Considering there are returning players who play the same position as Collins, he has to pay his dues to received ample playing time. Even though he isn’t always in the game, he still keeps himself in tip-top shape.

Collins finds a comrade in #4 Juwan Pleze, and doesn’t hesitate to ask for help.

Much like Garcia, Collins does not plan on pursuing a professional football career. At first, he thought about it, but soon realized that it’s not an easy process. He is considering joining the Army, and if all else fails, hopes to be granted to a CSU or UCLA.

All three of these young men have displayed talent and their love of football.

About the Contributors

Lucy Hernandez, Writer/Public Relations Manager/ News Editor

Joining The Downey Legend for the first time, 17-year-old writer and Public Relations Manager, Lucy Hernandez feels, “Newspaper is interesting because it gets me out of my comfort zone, my box.” She enjoys writing and hopes to dig up interesting stories for The Downey Legend regarding the community and the school. As for public relations, Hernandez will be planning parties, celebrating birthdays with staff members, and arranging bonding days. Although it may seem as if public relations is a easy job, it requires an enthusiastic, patient, and outgoing person in which Hernandez fits perfectly. During her spare time, Hernandez likes listening to alternative music by Anthony Green, which helps her calm down and relax. As far as her favorite food goes, she prefers sushi over anything else. “I can eat sushi every day if I could,” Hernandez said. She loves dogs and has a Cockapoo that’s three years old named Max; she loves taking him for long walks around town. In a few years Hernandez sees herself reaching her goals and attending a university in London. She plans to major in English and Journalism, and intends on living an independent life with no kids and exploring the world. Hernandez has a bright future ahead of her and she won’t stop chasing her dreams until she reaches the top. With that said, she aspires to start the year with a positive attitude.

Mayra Castro, Photographer

Current photographer for The Downey Legend, Mayra Castro, approaches her senior year with optimism and hopes to makes her final year memorable by never missing an opportunity to hang out with friends, while still managing her academics. Castro describes photography as her favorite art medium and, although her passion is fairly new, she is eager to gain more experience by practicing alongside the other Online Newspaper photographers. The senior decided to join the staff because she wanted a place where she could showcase her work while working with other passionate and goal oriented students. She is also considering a future in photojournalism and hopes to familiarize herself with the publication process. Castro’s main goal for the future is to be the first in her family to go to college. The aspiring photographer feels that a college degree is a necessary component to be successful in today’s economy. When she is enrolled in school, Castro hopes to major in photojournalism and eventually have her images published in a popular magazine where thousands of people can appreciate her work. In her personal life, Castro describes herself as a simple girl with simple tastes. She appreciates the small things in life like listening to music or simply hanging out with friends at the local mall. She looks at each day from a relaxed and optimistic perspective. “The most important part of my life is being happy,” Castro said. “That's all that matters.”