Granada’s Tyndan Marquez has that special combination of athletic prowess, leadership capabilities and intangibles that make good players great and the great ones extraordinary.
“I think it’s that drive and the will to win,” said longtime Granada coach Manuel Gonzales, who begins his 45th year at the Prowers County school. “They just like to compete and be the absolute best at whatever they do.”
Marquez began to realize he had that special combination two seasons ago as a sophomore, when he was handed the keys to the Granada offense. The Bobcats eventually won a state championship in a triple-overtime thriller at Stratton.
“What is it? I think it’s a God-given talent, not only in yourself but those around you; and those you choose to support you and how you treat them,” said Marquez, a three-sport athlete. “Yeah, maybe you are a little bit above the rest, but you don’t get there without the help of everyone around you.”
Once you win one state title, the expectations are greater the following season. For Marquez, the dream fell a little short last season, succumbing to the relentless pressure of Dayspring Christian in the semifinals.
“That kid is a stud,” Dayspring coach Mick Holmes said. “We threw everything we had at him and must have knocked him out of the game three or four times, and every time we did he would come right back in.”
It’s not the first time Gonzales has had a special player calling the shots. Alfred Montez was at the helm as a sophomore quarterback who won the second of Gonzales’ three titles in 1988.
Montez spent time on the Oakland Raiders’ roster in 1996. Now a physical education teacher and assistant coach at El Paso’s Del Valley High, Montez came home the summer before the 2006 season to tutor Marquez.
“We basically worked on his footwork an some other real basic stuff of the quarterback position,” Montez said. “You get to that point where you know what you have to do, but it sure makes a big difference when you don’t have to carry the whole load by yourself.”
Jon E. Yunt: 303-954-1354 or jyunt@denverpost.com
Class A 8-man top 10
1. Merino: The deepest team in the classification has coach John “Buck” Barber more than a little excited.
2. Hoehne: The Farmers are legitimate contenders.
3. Dayspring Christian: The Eagles have another deep senior class that has speed to burn.
4. Sanford: The Indians should quickly establish themselves as another tradition- rich program in the classification.
5. Granada: Bobcats coach Manuel Gonzalez: “I feel pretty good about this one.”
6. Sedgwick County: Another one of the Plains Division’s deep programs.
7. Stratton: The Eagles are contenders and known for their size up front.
8. Caliche: The Buffs have put in the time. Now they have to go out and prove it on the field.
9. Walsh: The Eagles may be overlooked by their Arkansas Valley foes.
10. Miami-Yoder: The Buffs drop from 11-man and become an instant hit with speedster Michael Carl in the backfield.
Players to watch
Michael Carl, Miami-Yoder, Sr., HB-DB: May be the fastest player in 8-man.
Colten Huskey, Dove Creek, Sr., RB-LB: Senior rushed for 1,200 yards last season.
Tyndan Marquez, Granada, Sr., QB: Already has a championship under his belt.
Mike Moore, Dayspring Christian, Jr., E-DB: The all-state end is bigger, faster and stronger.
Kurtis Paradisa, Hoehne, Sr., FB-LB: In the words of Farmers coach Bob Schafer: “He’s a load.”
Dylan Rinaldo, Merino, Sr., E-DB/LB: Paired with Derek Smart, gives the Rams two dynamic pass catchers and blockers.
Jared Sanderford, Dayspring Christian, Sr., QB-DB: A high ankle sprain limited the speedster in 2007.
Tyson Thrall, Granada, Sr., RB-LB: If Marquez doesn’t beat you, Thrall probably will.
Jose Uriarte, Antonito, Jr., QB-DB: The Trojans’ best player is hoping to return the favor to teams for years of frustration.
Jon E. Yunt, The Denver Post
