Putting Grants on the map

GRANTS, N.M. - Last week, three Grants High School seniors traveled to AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Texas to play in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl. Bryan Hernandez, 17, Terrell Hocker, 18, and Cyler Aragon, 18, each went through a nomination and application process and were invited to play in the game.

The entire event lasted January 26-29 and included five sets of two-hour practices that were followed by the game itself. The senior age group was made up of four teams, referred to as Senior Showcase 1, Senior Showcase 2, Senior Showcase 3, and Senior Showcase 4. Aragon played on team SSC1 as an offensive lineman, defensive lineman, and linebacker. Hocker played on team SSC2 as a running back and linebacker. Hernandez played on team SSC3 as a cornerback.

The youthful players described the entire experience as “amazing,” “wonderful,” “a dream come true,” “unreal,” and each felt that the event went “really well.” They got the chance to practice and play with other talented players from across the nation, as well as be mentored and coached by various wellknown football alumni and coaches.

“They really taught us a lot and showed us a good amount of their knowledge of football,” said

Hocker, who scored two touchdowns in the game. “The best part was crossing the goal line… It was one of the best feelings ever.”

Hernandez was recognized and named Defensive MVP for SSC3.

“Just being able to go out there and hit in pads again, as well as touch the ball [was] just awesome… it felt good to represent our hometown again,” reflected Hernandez, who also played and scored the final touchdown in the Spiral All America Classic High School Senior Bowl in Florida on Jan. 2. Hernandez mentioned his pride in his GHS Pirate teammates for the scoring and “awesome blocking” by Aragon.

According to Aragon, his preparation for this game started long before Jan. 26, back when the Grants Pirates lost 41-48 to Bloomfield in the semifinals of the 2019 State Playoffs. Aragon has used the time in quarantine working hard on things he needed to improve, all leading up to that moment in the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium.

“I was pretty nervous to play,” recalled Aragon, “but when the game started, it felt like I belonged there.”

As for the future, all three players have been invited to play in the Offense-Defense All-American National Championship this March 11-14 in Nashville, Tennessee. The players are hoping that they will get the opportunity to suit up in their GHS Pirate gear a few more times for their senior football season.

The three GHS players expressed their gratitude for the opportunities to play thus far; they remain hopeful about what is to come academically and footballwise after high school; and each is excited to continue “put[ting] Grants on the map.”