Athlete of the Week: Woodrow Villarreal

EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Hard work pays off. For the Edinburg Bobcats, their 3-1 record is proof of that. While it takes a team, the play of running back Woodrow Villarreal stands out.

“I give a lot of credit to my coaches putting me in the right position, and especially my O-line and my quarterback helping me succeed in everything I do,” said Woodrow Villarreal, Edinburg Senior Running Back/Safety.

The senior’s success on offense is unique considering he was a defensive starter for his first three seasons.

“I love scoring touchdowns,” said Villarreal. “I love running the ball, but most importantly, I just love winning with my brothers and putting my team in the right position. So we have a good time, because we're all having fun out there.”

With the highs come the lows. For Villarreal ,the low point was his sophomore season when he only played two games because of a broken right hand.

“It was hard for about one day, and then I told myself, I need to be better,” said Villarreal. “So I took the role of being a coach to my teammates and being a leader and a mentor, and I was able to help them exceed on the sideline while they're on the field. So I'm grateful. For the opportunity, because it helped me become a better person.”

Woodrow helped the Bobcats defeat Vela this season for the first time since 2012. A sign of what is possible.

“A testament to the program and what these guys really want,” said Joe Pena, Edinburg Football Coach. “I mean, they want to be successful this year. They have a chance to be, and they're running with it, and that's all I can ask for.”

Woodrow says this year will be the end of his playing career and plans to pursue being a doctor.