Faces off the field
Antonio Lopez, junior wide receiver, Akins
What game on your schedule are you most looking forward to?
I look forward to every game that I play, especially with the new 25-6A district. Every single game will be competitive. Lake Travis is one of the best teams in the state and probably the country. That game will be real exciting. What are your individual goals for the year?
I try to make game-by-game goals so I can mentally prepare that week for whom we are playing. As for goals for the season, I would like to make the all-district team like I did in my sophomore year and hopefully an allstate appearance. What makes football fun for you?
The excitement and atmosphere. The Friday night lights have me feeling some type of way. You’re pumped and you’re full of energy. Walking out of the tunnel before the game is one of the best feelings in the world.
Tell me something you remember about the first time you played organized football.
My first full-contact game of football I ever played was in the seventh grade at Bedichek Middle School. You can say I was a little late to the game. I was a pretty big kid, and it was real easy for me to truck defenders. My coach even nicknamed me “The Moose.” What are your plans after you graduate from Akins?
I would love to continue to play football at the college level and study kinesiology.
If you could have dinner with four people in the history of the world, who would they be?
LeBron James, Kendall Jenner, Drake and my grandpa (Manuel Lopez). Why did you select your grandpa?
I chose my grandfather because I never got the chance to meet him. He passed away at a very early age. My dad has been a strong role model for me and meeting his dad would have been a real rewarding experience. Do you have rituals you do on game days?
I listen hype music to get me pumped before game. I try to make playlists on a week-byweek basis. On those playlists I will have people like Travis Scott, Moneybagg Yo, Lil Wayne, Lil Baby. And I pray on the field before every single game as well.
Tell me something about you that most people don’t know.
Soccer was the first sport I had success with, and I was even chosen for the Olympic Development Program as a goalkeeper.
Outside of athletics, what have you liked most about high school?
The relationships that I have made at the school. I hope that I never lose them. All of the friends I’ve made there have definitely impacted my life in a positive way. I’ll give a shoutout to them for making me the person I am today. If you could go to any concert, who would it be?
I’d like to see a concert with Travis Scott and Drake. They are my two favorite artists, and they have recently put out music together.