Coming into this season, long-time Bonita Vista High football coach Carl Parrick didn’t know who his starting quarterback would be. With Patrick Schneemann not expected back until mid-season due to a lingering baseball injury it came down to a two-way battle between senior Ryan Hoggard and junior Joel Gutierrez. Both were impressive in training camp, but Gutierez was eventually given the nod. Hoggard meanwhile has found a home at wide receiver. And both have contributed to the early success of the team.

 “I was really undecided when we started as to who would play quarterback,” Parrick said. “Ryan did really well in a scrimmage, so for a while we were thinking about him. Ultimately, I decided that we needed to pick one guy and with a year of J.V. experience under his belt I went with Joel. He has done a good job. He has averaged about 145 yards per game passing and thrown for four or five touchdown passes so far. There are just some small technical things that he needs to work on. He is a hard worker and a tough kid,” Parrick continued. “He got dinged up a couple of times in situations where other kids would have come out, but he has stayed in there. He has good feet and ran for a 16-yard touchdown two weeks ago. He is very coachable and he keeps his cool out there. We are real pleased with him so far.”

 Gutierez is pleased to have the opportunity to be the Barons quarterback. He only began playing football in Pop Warner three years ago, but he is a quick study and has improved steadily.

 “As a quarterback you have to be committed and you have to be a leader,” Gutierez said. “I try to set a good example.”

 He has.

 “I work on my skills every day in practice. I never focus on the good things that I do only the mistakes that have to be corrected. Right now I am trying to learn how to better read the defenses, how to step up (in the pocket) and how to throw harder. I sometimes tend to throw sidearm so I am working with coach on my overhead release. I do a lot of running and conditioning during practice and afterwards I sometimes run in the park with my friends. I never stop working.”

 Playing football and working on his quarterbacking skills has always been his number one priority (outside of school), but Gutierez is considering trying out for the baseball team next spring. His future however, remains in football.

 “I would love to play at the next level. I know it would be much more difficult, but I am up for the challenge. I will do whatever it takes. I would just have to work harder.”

 Gutierez realizes the importance that education plays in his future and he intends to get a good one.

 His parents emigrated from Tijuana about the time he was born. And their life at first here was quite a struggle. We didn’t have a lot of money and eventually we got kicked out of our apartment. From third grade until seventh grade we had to move back to TJ, but then my Dad got a really good job and we were able to buy a house here. Things are a lot better now.”

 “My Dad always tells me that school comes first and I have done pretty well in my classes. I know without school I won’t go anywhere. Right now my GPA is over 3.0 so I should be OK. Both of my parents push me and everyone in my family wants me to make it to the next level.”

 With his ever improving skills and his solid work effort Gutierez might be one of the relative few who make it.