Main Man: Saldaña named All-Metro MVP

The 2009 Hanna Golden Eagles had an explosive offense, and it seemed as though lightning could strike at any moment.

Enrique Saldaña, who led District 32-5A with 1,784 yards rushing and 24 touchdowns during Hanna’s district championship season, usually caused the electricity, and that is the reason why he is The Brownsville Herald’s 2009 All-Metro MVP.

"He was a big part of our offense," Hanna coach Tom Chavez said. "The way he was able to turn the corner and just outrun everybody was amazing. Even if the defenders had an angle on him, he just ran faster. He had really deceptive speed and really opened up our offense."

Saldaña looked as though he hadn’t lost a step after suffering a partially torn MCL his junior year. Nagging injuries kept him in and out of the Golden Eagles’ lineup, but after a successful rehabilitation he showed everyone — especially his opponents — what he was capable of.

"I’m just vey grateful that I was healthy," Saldaña said. "It was great to be able to go out there and contribute to the team."

Saldaña credits the offensive line for the success he enjoyed, including 100-plus-yard performances in each of the regular-season games as Hanna posted a 9-1 record.

"It’s a trust issue," Saldaña said. "You have to trust your offensive line is going to do its job, and they opened up a lot of holes for me. We had great receivers, too, and it was a pick-your-poison situation for opposing defenses. If they tried to stop me, things would open up for Anthony and Mike (Garza), and Randy (Rey) did a good job of opening up the offense."

While rushing the ball was his forté, the senior tailback had one reception and it was a big one.

Saldaña’s only reception of the season was a 72-yard screen pass against the then three-time reigning district champion Los Fresnos Falcons, and it went for a touchdown en route to a 52-31 victory. He also had three games with more than 200 yards and six games with three or more touchdowns.

The elusive running back’s performance helped Hanna to its first district title since 2000, and only its second outright title since 1969.

Saldaña said one of the best aspects of the team’s unforgettable season was the amount of backing the team had from its fans.

"It was really special to have students, teachers, parents all attend the games," Saldaña said. "We had only two away games, but the support we had was huge, especially at Los Fresnos, to have our entire section full, it was amazing to have the community back us up like they did."

Louie Vera covers District 32-5A football for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 982-6663 or via e-mail at lvera@brownsvilleherald.com.

The Brownsville Herald’s 2009 All-Metro Football team

(Multiple players listed in alpabetical order by first name)

Most Valuable Player

Enrique Saldaña, Hanna

Offensive Player of the Year

Rodrigo Tostado, Pace

Defensive Player of the Year

Estephan Wilson, Los Fresnos

Newcomer of the year

Ubaldo Encinia, Pace

Coach of the year

Tom Chavez, Hanna

First-Team Offense

Quarterback: Danny Perez, Lopez

Running back: Joe Vega, Port Isabel; Josue Govea, Rivera

Lineman: Gilbert Salinas, Porter; Mike Iracheta, Pace; Sean Tobias, Hanna; Thomas Hinojosa, Hanna; Victor Mendoza, Los Fresnos

Tight End: Rigo Pena, Hanna

Wide Receiver: Anthony Garza, Hanna; Bobby Zepeda, Los Fresnos

Kicker: Robert Degollado, Los Fresnos

First-Team Defense

Lineman: Laurence Gonzalez, Port Isabel; Chris Larrazolo, Porter; Chris Ortiz, Hanna

Linebacker: Ivan Gonzalez, Los Fresnos; Jimmy Canchola, Rivera; Mike Trejo, Pace; Sam Lucio, Hanna

Backfield: Eric Escamilla, Pace; Jacob Mendoza, Los Fresnos; Kevin Reyna, Hanna; Richard Reyes, Rivera

Punter: Luis Garcia, Hanna

Second-Team Offense

Quarterback: Emilio Hernandez, Los Fresnos

Running back: Issac Nuñez, Los Fresnos; Mike Trejo, Pace

Lineman: Chris Aramas, Rivera; Chris Cortez, Porter; Horacio Garcia, Pace; Jonathan Delgado, Port Isabel; Santiago Mendez, Hanna;

Tight End: Mike Putzel, Pace

Wide Receiver: Alan Perez, Pace; Mike Garza, Hanna

Kicker: Luis Garcia, Hanna

Second-Team Defense

Linemen: Alex Gonzalez, Los Fresnos; Julio Almaraz, Pace; Tony Chapa, Rivera

Linebacker: Felix Sauceda, Los Fresnos; Josh Herrera, Hanna; Luis Alvarez, Porter; Marcus Davila, Rivera

Backfield: Angelo Quadalquivir, Hanna; Claudio Ramirez, St. Joseph; Juan Vera, Lopez; Kyle DeMoss, Port Isabel

Punter: Claudio Ramirez, St. Joseph