Raymondville Bearkat #53 Jerry Rangel The late Tom Landry, ex headcoach of American's Team was once asked to describe the game of football. Dallas Cowboys' longtime headcoach answered, "The game of football is incredible. Sometimes it is so incredible that it is unbelievable."

When I went to interview the senior, 2 year starter at center for this year's Bearkat football team, he pretty much echoed the same sentiment about football. #53 Jerry Rangel, 1st team unanimous alldistrict center, 31-3A, last year said basically the same thing about the game of football. Jerry enjoys and loves the game of football very much. J.R. has played football most of his young life. He enjoyed playing at the middle school and four years of football at R.H.S. Rangel, who is the son of Angie Sosa, added, "I have enjoyed playing football for one of the best if not the best coach ever, Coach Alex Leal." #53 Jerry Rangel continued, "It has been a pleasure and an honor to go do battle for such a great man."

When I approached Jerry this year and I told him that I wanted to feature him in the Raymondville Chronicle he was very much surprised. I told him that I had been eyeing his play at center throughout the season. When I see a football game, I told him, "I see a game within a game."

Moreover, Coach Leal had nothing but good to say about his exceptional senior center. The Bearkat Monarch said, "In my spread offense, you need a dependable, skilled and technique solid center. The whole offense depends on a center who can snap the ball just perfect to anyone of our two or three quarterbacks."

Coach Leal continued, "In two seasons, Jerry has had one bad snap to the quarterback. The snap was not such a bad snap afterall. It rolled to our QB. He was able to pick it up and continue the play."

Coach Leal added, "My center has to be smart, very smart. He also has to bark the blocking scheme to the entire offensive line. He, above all, must know all the plays on offense."

"We often see how the so-called skills players get all the attention. They score and score and the offensive line never gets any love. I told Rangel that I reward great play."

Jerry was thankful, he added, "When I see one of our guys score, I feel better than they do because I know that I had to block in order for the play to be successful. I must pave the way for my teammates."

Coach Soria and Coach Secrest also agreed. "Jerry has an exceptional work ethic with a mean streak. He is a leader who never misses practice." The coaches added, "He plays hurt and never complains about practice."

Jerry hopes to attend an institution of higher learning. He is leaning towards Texas A&M at Kingsville.

He will try to hook on to the Javelina program. Several coaches are helping Jerry reach his short-term goal.

Coach Leal concluded, "It would be a pleasure to continue coaching if all the players were just like #53 Jerry Rangel. Paving the way."