Ezra Garcia, the 12-season veteran, says that football is more than just a game to him.
āIt teaches you how to grow up to be a great young man and it has helped me through life to become a better person,ā said Ezra. āIt has taught me about discipline and teamwork and I could not be more thankful for everything the game has taught me.ā
During his career, Ezra has played for the Abbotsford Falcons in the Valley Community Football League (VCFL). With the Falcons, he was a three time MVP.
He says one of his most memorable football experiences came during his time with the Falcons.
āWe made it to Provincials so we got to play at BC Place,ā explained Ezra. āWe ended up losing the game, but playing on that field is something Iāll never forget.ā
The defensive back/wide receiver also plays in the B.C. High School Football Association (BCHSFA) with the W.J. Mouat Hawks, where he was MVP twice.
The Hawk also received and Athlete of the Year Award in Grade 9, 10 and 11.
On his resume, Ezra has also been awarded two Provincial Sportsmanship Awards and has played with Team BC in the ABC Border Bowl.
Up until now, the Hawk has played safety, but this year he will transition to quarterback.
āThe thing I like about playing safety is that you basically have to be the field general on defence, you get to see everything happen and gives you more room to fly downhill to deliver the boom or to drop back and make a play on the ball,ā said Ezra, who believes his knowledge of the game gives him an edge on the field.
āIāve been playing for so long and I can read plays and am able to see things before they happen,ā added Ezra.
Moreover, in the future, the Hawk plans to go to post-secondary while, hopefully, continuing to play football at the same time.
Ezra is still unsure as to where he wants to go or what he wants to study, but says he will be happy anywhere he can study and play football.
“The recruitment process is just getting started for me,ā commented the future quarterback, āit will hopefully become more and more intense and closer to reach as I go through the season.ā
āI plan on having a stellar season to show everyone what Iām capable of and just let my play on the field do the talking for me,ā added Ezra.
If he were to take the step to the next level, Ezra expects nothing to change because he will have the same mindset as he does now.
āIāve never been the biggest guy, but Iāve always been able to compete as I use my strengths to my advantage and play with heart,ā commented Ezra.
āAt first it will take a bit to get used to playing at the next level, but I think Iāll be able to ease into it and play like it was any other team Iāve played on before.ā
In terms of this upcoming season, he will continue to give it his all and work hard, continuing to strive to be better by putting in the hours in the weight room and on the field.
The most influential people in Ezraās life are his parents.
His mother is his biggest influence in life because she had been through so much and she never stops fighting, and Ezra admires her for that and everything else she goes through to give him the opportunity to do what he loves.
āMy dad is more of my go to football guy,ā says the Hawk, āHe got me into it from a young age and has been my coach for most of my life, heās the one that takes the time out of his day to coach not only high school football, but community football.ā
āHe puts so many hours into the kids he coaches and itās been one hell of a journey with him.ā
Ezra Garcia (#7)
Defensive back, Wide receiver
5ā10, 160lbs
Teams: Abbotsford Falcons and W.J. Mouat Hawks (High School)
Positions: Quarterback, defensive back and wide receiver
Official visits: N/A
Unofficial visits: N/A
Considerations: N/A
Class: 2018
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