Talking Metea Valley Star Athlete Oscar Rivera Jr. Class Of 2024

By: Peter "Coach Big Pete" Leinweber

So, in a way to better understand the use of Deep Dish Football for Illinois recruits and the whole entire IHSA Football scene. Decided to do player profiles of players who you might not know or you might know, but you should respect them for their roles on their respective teams. This is one of the many reasons why Deep Dish Football is respected in the IHSA. Every Football Player Has A Story To Tell

Oscar Rivera Jr. Metea Valley Athlete 6'0 170 Class of 2024

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Oscar Rivera Jr. how was your sophomore season? My sophomore season was one for the book's sir. The team bond the brotherhood we had was incredible. I had a lot of opportunities to showcase my talent out there with a good line we had. We didn't have so much of a winning season, but one thing is team did was grown. Last year when I was on varsity, we didn't win a game we lacked our identity, then this following year we grew, maybe not how we liked it but we did. Everyone is getting better and this season we had we came up on some wins which I'm dearly blessed for and all I can say is I'll continue to work on my craft to be a better teammate and player What was one of your favorite memories last season? My favorite memories are when we went up against our rival school WVHS and it was the fourth quarter, with sweat in our eyes, blood dripping from our arms, the whole entire team lift their fists in the air. It's the unity and power it brings to the whole team. That we did it you know. We as a team united is so strong and that is my favorite memory. What should college coaches know about you? They should know I'm self-driven. Whatever goal I have in store for myself I'll do it till my very last breathe. And even if in my life people can say no, I can't do this I can't do that. I believe it's not a no, I'm just one yes away. I'll give it more than 120, I'll play like it's the last time I ever see a football in my life. I'm a consistent person, tell me you need to get 5 yards on a play I'm going to go run through any body and fight every single yard to get. Every play is 120 percent for me, not just the time I don't have the ball in my hands but also the times I can block and give opportunities to teammates. I have a positive and great attitude, everything "yes sir" and "no sir", sorry coach let me see how I can fix my mistakes. As an athlete I make mistakes all the time, it can be a 99-yard touchdown I have but yet I can still be making a mistake on something. I'm an open book, I'll take every single information a coach sets up for me and put it in my toolbox of succession, the more I know the better knowledge I can have for this game. Also finally, yes, I'm a running back, I love it, I love holding the ball and just trying to get to that end zone, but one thing I know is that any opportunity I have I'll take to be out on that field. I may be a running back, but I can go play offensive line if they need me, if they need me to go play defense If someone's hurt, I'm going to go run and take that spot. I'm flexible and I'll take every opportunity that God sets on my path to be successful

What does football mean to you? Football isn't just some random word to me. It means power, strength, team, love, brotherhood, family. It's a wonderful game to play, it's a way to conquer life not just on the field but off the field. Football is just a steppingstone to be great in my life. By working as a team, challenges I'll take on in my life, the unity, family. Football means so many things to me. God put this opportunity to play football and I'm going to take that shot to play it because glory is all to him. How does Metea Valley look for the upcoming season? We are looking forward to a well-built team. Everyone is working really hard in this off season. I cannot wait for the magic we make as a team. Our expectations are high for the team, if anyone wants to be great you got to give it everything you have in the classroom, field, and in that weight room.