Game Day - 9/12/24

GAME DAY

Big Shoes to Fill: An Insight to the New Face of Football

Things are looking good for the Wolverine football family. As a brand new season starts, a brand new head coach takes up the mantle, and potentially makes an impact among the football community. Miami’s own Nicholas “O” Oyarzun, former Offensive Line Coach and Area Recruiter for Maryville College, plans to establish a healthy, positive, and close relationship with and amongst his players. When asked about his goals, regarding both leadership and strategy, here’s what he said:

“So, we try to put the players in adverse situations; summer camp and training camp and even if we’re getting ready for the 1st couple of games, we try to put them in situations where they have to be put in fightor-flight moments where they’re going to decide if they’re going to fight back or they’re going to fight against each other, right?”

Oyarzun continues to explain that his style of coaching is all about adversity, and claims that putting his athletes in as many different situations as possible, come game time, they will not only perform, but become “leaders” in their own right.

Other than strategy, Oyarzun also speaks about a certain level of energy that he not only plans to bring to his players, but will also lead them to match that intensity. “The players can go ahead and feed off of that energy, because ultimately their mood will reflect mine.” His positive outlook on the coming season, and consistent level of passion and energy is sure to lead his team’s morale through even the toughest of challenges.

Currently, the Wolverines are practicing tirelessly under “Coach O’s” leadership and passion for the game of football. The skills, strategy, and mentality that he brings to the table is sure to present the team with a successful season.

Joaquin Salvade

SENIORS

Mallari, Justin

2024 Team

Caballero, Robert

Argamasilla, Xavier

James, Shawn

Branger, Rocco

Garcia, Jacob

Walters, Kamden

Batista, Jose

Garcia, Jace

Ramos, Jayden

Girado, Logan

Johnson, Amari

Jurado, Aleksandr

Garcia, Daniel

Rodriguez, Aiden

McFarlane, Jayden

Pulles, Eddie

Trapp, Myles-Edison

Tirse, Alexander

Lacasa, Gonzalo

Tirse, Andres

Barcelo, Manny

Burrows, Patrick

Cabanas, Max

Arrieta, Nico

Lacayo, Gabriel

Muelle, Adrian

Avino, Lucas

Fernandez, Marko

Cajigas, Adriano

Ames, Dominic

Hermida, Johnathan

Pinto, Andres

Padilla, Adrian

Guede, Nick

Perez, Marcelo

Quijano, Julian

Rodenberg, Henry

Armstrong, Jayden

Suniga, Sebastian

Nader, Nayib

Guillaume, Michael

Gonzalez, Antonio

Narino, Marcel

Jacques, Richaard

Mendez, Luis “LJ”

Gurdian, Diego

Caraballo, Sebastian Rodriguez, Noah de Oliveira, Aiden

Cueto, Christian Castro, Rafael

Franyie, Antonio Cavada, Rodrigo Duran, Joshua Garcia, Zach

Mas, Andres

Moscoso, Francisco Brumfield, Henry Alonso, Daniel Scott, Rafael

Game Captains

Rising Star: Age is Just a Number

As former quarterback Andres Miyares enjoys his college experience, a new starter rises to the occasion. José Batista, one of the very few sophomore starters at Belen, aims to lead the offensive line into a successful season all around. Although not the oldest in the bunch, Coach Oyarzun confirms he brings good vibes and “positive energy” to every practice, game, and event. In an interview with “Coach O” regarding Bautista’s energy on the field, he had this to say,

“He’s been a very coach-able player. He loves his teammates, and he trains just as hard as he plays. His off-season, in the summer and during training, is the same as when he actually plays.

All of this will give him the opportunity to find success with us.”

Oyarzun claims that Batista’s work-ethic, intensity, and drive during every practice and exercise, really sets him apart from other

players, and pushes him further into his leadership role. Bautista himself claims that this sort of energy is necessary inclusion to his day-to-day in order to fully embrace his trivial leadership role on and off the field.

During an interview about the pressures of Varsity football, and his potential impact on the season, Batista claimed “I really wasn’t mentally strong enough when I was called up, but through the coaching staff, they taught me what to do, what to think on the field, and they really just helped out.”

Batista also claims that the pressure of living up to his title has made him “10 times the player I was before” and his change/development of his own mindset has clearly molded him into a role model that all players, even the older ones, should look up to.