Next man up: Chavez leads football’s returning class
By RYAN WOOD
The Tower
Chris Chavez is an important piece for the Manteca High football program making the jump to Division I in the fall.
The sophomore plays both sides of the ball as a wide receiver and defensive back, but his biggest role might be as a leader for next season’s varsity team.
Beyond his physical tools as a player, Chavez is vocal and a natural leader.
“Chavey plays much bigger and older than he is,” coach Mark Varnum said. “He is fearless on the field and expects greatness from himself and his teammates. We will look to him to be a leader on defense, as well as being more involved on offense next year.”
“Chavey plays much bigger and older than he is. He is fearless on the field and expects greatness from himself and his teammates. We will look to him to be a leader on defense, as well as being more involved on offense next year.”
As a sophomore, Chavez had 23 total tackles, one interception, seven pass deflections, two fumble recoveries, and was a limited option on offense with only 4 yards off one rush.
The Tower sat down with Chavez to talk about how he will be a leader on a team that will be playing at the Division I level for the first time in school history:
The Tower: How do you feel about being the next leader?
Chris Chavez: I feel great about being the next leader going into next season. Putting in the work in the off-season with the guys. I feel really confident in our team.
TT: What do you work so hard for?
CC: I work hard to be the best version of myself and to be the best person on the field. I didn’t get to showcase that a lot last year but coming into this year I’m really able to showcase it.
TT: What made you get into football?
CC: Growing up playing streetball and never being in organized football. In the seventh grade, I wanted to try it out. My dad put me in organized football, and I really did show out. I showed a lot of potential, and I wanted to come into high school playing varsity.
Becoming a Leader
Manteca High sophomore Chris Chavez is part of a returning class that will lead the Buffaloes into Division I.
TT: How are you going to lead the team?
CC: I think it takes more than one leader to lead a team, I think it takes multiple. It’s important to build team chemistry too. So, I think all of us leaders are going to lead the team and come into this year strong with the group of guys we got. We have a lot of skilled players from last year and I think we really showcased that.
TT: As a sophomore on varsity, how much confidence do you think you have to have, to be where you are?
CC: This year was really tough on me, just because being a sophomore on varsity with all the hype. ‘Oh, he’s a sophomore, he’s a sophomore.’ It really does get to you sometimes and your head gets big, but then you got to really remember where you came from and bring that down a little bit. Coming into this year, I really think I am more confident than last year.
TT: Are you happy with where you are right now? If so, tell me why.
CC: I’m definitely happy with where I’m at right now. The coaches believe in me and they took a chance on me last year, you know being a sophomore on varsity. I’m just going to get better this offseason. Definitely going into the offseason working hard and getting better.
TT: What challenges are there going to be as a D-I team?
CC: There are going to be a lot of challenges coming into D-I. I feel like we’re confident and I feel we’re ready. We’re going to continue to get ready in the offseason, lift weights, and go out in the field doing more independent work. There’s definitely a target on our back coming into D-I after just winning that section championship.