Bourgade seniors lead small workouts

They’re going to be seniors now. And they eager to get started.

Stuck at home this spring because of the coronavirus pandemic, 15 or so Phoenix Bourgade Catholic football players have been meeting three times a week during the coronavirus pandemic to get ready for next season.

Schools are just now gradually allowing their athletes and coaches return to campus to start summer conditioning, through a phased approach. Some districts began this week. Other are starting next week. And more starting in mid-June or closer to July.

Bourgade won’t be back on campus with workouts until June 15 at the earliest, according to the diocese, football coach Marcel Lopez said.

In the meantime, quarterback Matt Espinoza, who has waited his turn to become the varsity starter, has been among the leaders directing practices at a good-sized park in his neighborhood off of 107th Avenue in Avondale.

He is cognizant of the safety guidelines making sure there enough distance among teammates as they get in a circle and stretch.

They then get into a line. Espinoza signals go to them to run 20-yard sprints up and back.

The receivers get into order to catch passes. A couple of linemen go to the side to do agility drills.

“We’re just trying to stay active,” Espinoza said. “When we get to our real practices, we can get back into the swing of things.”

This has been the Golden Eagles’ spring ball without coaches. The seniors took it upon themselves to get together.

“We don’t want to have to rebuild what we already made last year,” Espinoza said.

Bourgade has had back-to-back 6-4 seasons after going 3-7 in 2017 in Lopez’s first season at the helm.

This nucleus is led by Espinoza and speedy defensive back/receiver Joseph Chavez, who had 16 tackles and two interceptions last season. Both of his interceptions came against Yuma Catholic, which had reached the 3A final in 2018.

“Everybody else is already out there doing stuff,” Chavez said. “We just all do what we normally would do with coaches.

“And we miss each other.” Lopez is proud of this 2021 class. “The senior class has really taken it upon themselves to make sure that they are physically and mentally prepared as a team when we are able to get back together,” Lopez said. “Matt Espinoza has waited his turn to be the starter and definitely leads by example both on and off the field.

“I am proud of our guys and the leadership they have displayed during these crazy times we are living in.”

Lopez said that, despite concerns of the coronavirus, it is important during this time of civil unrest to unite with the team.

“I think everyone is looking forward to having an outlet for all of the anger, fear and anxiety that has really permeated our lives,” he said. “Football is one of the greatest symbols of brotherhood and respect for all. It is what we need right now.”

“When we get to our real practices, we can get back into the swing of things.”