MORGANTOWN — Four years of unknown finally came to a head last Friday for Morgantown’s Aaron Alvarez.
After watching a 21-point lead slip away to Linsly, the Mohigans headed into overtime staring a losing record in the face through the first half of the season. That’s when Alvarez, a senior, made the play he patiently waited to make.
Swarming a Linsly receiver in the end zone, Alvarez boxed him out and made an interception to give MHS possession, while keeping the Cadets off the board. Minutes later, John McConnell kicked the game-winning field goal to give the Mohigans the win.
This season is Alvarez’s first playing cornerback — a position he can finally call home. He bounced around on offense in his first three seasons and saw time as the starting punter.
As a freshman, Alvarez threw a long touchdown pass on a trick play against John Marshall, showing off his arm strength that was bound to get better. However, he lost the quarterback job to Logan Holgorsen as a sophomore.
Because of his natural athleticism, the coaching staff tried to fit him into the offense as a wide receiver, though he was behind Camron Henderson and Ben Waibogha, who each got the majority of the catches.
As a junior, Holgorsen decided to transfer out of MHS so Alvarez got his shot at quarterback, but the offense struggled to move the ball and the coaching staff came up with their “Dozer” package, getting running backs to take the snap. Once Holgorsen returned to end the season, he laid stake at QB the rest of the year.
Three years had gone by and Alvarez couldn’t seem to find his niche.
“It’s tough getting to high school and realizing that you kind of have to wait until you get your mind ready and get your chance,” he said. “I had gotten in games in smaller roles but I just kept itching for that chance to play more and more, but it never came until this season. It was tough to be on the sidelines but, in the end, I think it was worth it because this season feels kind of special in the sense that I’m finally getting out there more.”
The coaching staff knew Alvarez was talented enough to contribute, it was just a matter of figuring out what and where he could do that.
There also happened to be openings at cornerback and after going over its off-season analysis,the staff decided Alvarez fit the mold to play there.
“At the end of the day, we want to have rangy, athletic and fast kids,” defensive coordinator Matt Kelly said. “They don’t have to always be the best tacklers, but they need to keep up with people. Aaron was a no-brainer.”
Through five games, Alvarez has delivered. At 6-foot-3, he is much taller than the average cornerback, so he can smother a receiver in coverage. Through five games, he had two interceptions and five pass breakups.
The biggest reason, though, that Alvarez got his chance on defense is that the coaches trusted him.
“Since I have known Aaron for many years, he has always been a jack of all trades on offense. He did whatever was asked and never complained,” Kelly said. “He was surprised when we wanted him to play defense. He ran track after basketball season and that helped him immensely as an athlete. I think he was hesitant at first to play corner, but as he played more and had more success, his confidence grew as well.
“He plays 1,000 mph and does everything we ask and I couldn’t be happier for the kid.”
Alvarez credited Kelly and coach Marcus Law for helping him get acclimated at corner quickly and helping him find the place he belongs.
“It’s definitely a challenge at first, especially playing against experienced wide receivers and quarterbacks, but as I’m getting more and more comfortable,” Alvarez said. “It’s starting to become second nature and I look forward to whatever challenge is coming each week”
Alvarez and the Mohigans (3-2) will host Musselman at 7 p.m. Friday and Pony Lewis Field.
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