Two local high school students were honored as the 2012 offensive and defensive high school football players of the year in Tijuana at a press conference today at the Puebla Amiga Hotel in Tijuana. Officials from the Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl and sponsors of the award, presented the offensive award to Oliver Alejandro Barajas Magana of Zorros Cetys Mexicali and the defensive award to Sergio Diaz Luevano from Preparatoria Federal Lazaro Cardenas.
The title sponsor of this 11th annual bowl awards program is Entravision. Other sponsors include the National City Mile of Cars, XEXX 1420 AM and XHRST 107.7 FM.
Magana, a running back led his team to a perfect 8-0 record this season. He averaged 6.1 yards per carry and finished the season with 1,110 total yards. Magana scored 12 touchdowns on the season. He has earned most valuable player honors on each of his teams growing up in the youth ranks.
“To be distinguished with this award, it’s a great honor,” Magana said. “I gave all my effort and dedication as an athlete. I want to dedicate this award to my team, my coaches and especially my family. Without them, none of this could have happened. It motivates me to be the best player, but most important, the best student, person and citizen.”
Magana, who hopes to study political science with a goal of becoming an attorney, lists his favorite football players as: Emmitt Smith, DeAngelo Williams, Barry Sanders, Jahvid Best and Ray Lewis.
Luevano, the defensive honoree, led his team to an 8-2 record this season. A defensive back, he recorded six interceptions, including two in one game, and had 27 tackles over eight games. Luevano added a sack and a touchdown as well.
The Jaguares’ 2012 team captain, Luevano lists Mo Claiborne, Tyrann Mathieu, Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu as his favorite players.
“This has been a goal for me since I saw other players from the school winning the award,” said Luevano. “The opportunity to be recognized at Qualcomm Stadium during the Holiday Bowl, I’m a Chargers fan, I have been there to watch the big stars. I can’t believe that I will be the star for a moment. I will remember that for the rest of my life. I want to thank my family and coaches but more important, my teammates, for helping me make this dream come true.”
For their accomplishments each of their schools received $1,000 grants for their respective football programs. This generous contribution was made possible by lead program sponsor, Entravision.
The award recipients will be recognized on a float in the bowl game’s Port of San Diego Big Bay Balloon Parade, and on the field during the Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl. Both events are set for December 27th. The 35th annual game kicks off at 6:45 p.m. at Qualcomm Stadium and features teams from the Pac-12 and Big 12. The game will be broadcast in Spanish on XEXX 1420 AM and XHRST 107.7 FM. For more information, visit BridgepointEducationHolidayBowl.com.