Meet the Shep: LB Moreno picked to lead Buffs in 2024

Manteca High junior linebacker Ruben Moreno has been selected at the football team’s Shepherd, its top captain and appointed leader for the 2024 season. (Tomasi Sovabatua/The Tower)

By ISAIAH WHITE
The Tower

Manteca High School is known for its vaunted and decorated football program. The Buffaloes have won nine Sac-Joaquin Section championships and have been moved up to Division II not for its school size but its run of success on the football field.

Something that holds the team together is the Shepherd’s Stick.

The Shep Stick is a 5-foot-long bent steel pipe with names of all former Shepherds wrapped around the handle with tape, and it has been passed down for two decades. The Shep Stick was originally a painted green but over the years, throughout hundreds of Friday night battles and thousands of practices, the Shep Stick, which is slammed into the ground, has been chipped, scarred and rusted over.

The Shep Stick is a treasure that has been passed down from captain to captain. Next year’s Shep is junior Ruben Moreno, who was selected by former Shep and fellow linebacker Tommy Perea.

“I specifically chose Ruben because he was the only player during the season to step up and show leadership, which was very rare this year,” said Perea, one of the Valley Oak League’s top defenders. “Moreno just really fit the roll to be the Shepard for 2024.”

Moreno, who will be a senior next season, also has help from the other four captains: lineman Tomasi Sovabatua, defensive backs Chris Chavez and Eddie Anthony, and pass rusher Isaiah White.

However, as Shepherd, Moreno has the most responsibility.

“Ruben understand the responsibilities of what it is to become Shep,” head coach Mark Varnum said, “and he’s really stepping up becoming a better leader.”

The Tower caught up with Ruben Moreno to talk about the upcoming football season.

The Tower: As Shep, what do you think the team needs to work on more?

RM: I think we should work on getting better in the gym. Being mature, you know? Putting in the work and really showing up.

TT: What is the biggest challenge of being Shep?

RM: The biggest challenge I mean you have to keep everyone in line, make sure they’re doing what they need to do in the gym. You know just make sure no one is messing around and to take it serious around here.

TT: Do you think the team has respect for your leadership as the shep?

RM: Yeah, I think they differently have respect because I also give out respect, so you know when you give out respect you get respect back, so I mean I think they differently think they have a lot of respect for me.

You got to lead by example. You know all eyes are on you. Basically, you’re the captain of the team. So, I mean if you’re doing right then everyone is going to follow you and it should be good.

TT: What is the standard of being Shep?

RM: You got to lead by example. You know all eyes are on you. Basically, you’re the captain of the team. So, I mean if you’re doing right then everyone is going to follow you and it should be good.

TT: What is the standard Tommy set for you?

RM: I mean Tommy’s been a big standard for me, so I got to fill those shoes. He did a lot for us; he was a good leader.

TT: Was Shep the main goal for you from your freshman year to now?

RM: I’ve been here for three years, so I mean it’s big responsibility and I’m grateful for the opportunity.