UVALDE, Texas — The Honey Bowl in Uvalde erupted when Jonathon Jimenez rushed for a 51-yard run in the last minute of the Coyotes’ first home football game of the season.
On the following play, Uvalde quarterback Brodie Carnes connected with Devon Franklin for a touchdown to secure their second victory of the season.
“21, 21 right here,” one of the players shouted.
They tied their total wins from all of last season, but how did this young Coyote football team get here?
How were they able to tune out the outside world and embrace the immense pressure when they took the field?
Like any successful team, it starts with the veterans, led by seniors Jarrett Hernandez, Frank Salazar and Justyn Rendon, who wears number 21 to honor the lives lost at Robb Elementary.
“Coach pulls me off the outside and he tells me I’m going to be wearing #21 and at the time, I was at a loss of words. I was very shocked and honored that I’m going to be able to represent,” Justyn said.
Justyn didn’t grow up in Uvalde. He’s from San Antonio, and in typical Coyote fashion, they welcomed him with open arms.
“It’s been close since the moment I got to Uvalde, to now,” Justyn said.
Hernandez grew up here and saw the welcoming culture of this town, time and time again.
“Everything is real close, everyone talks to neighbors, you have family events and a loving community,” Jarrett says.
It shouldn’t be a surprise that Frankie, Jarrett and Justyn have a strong bond. They are always on the same page. It helps when they do everything together, like golf or eat out at Whataburger.
“To go out (on the field) with people knowing this is going to be our last time, we are going to hit the field strong, we are going to go hard,” Frank said.
The Coyotes took on their rival Carrizo Springs in the first game of the season where they struggled offensively, but the defense, led by Justyn resulted in an exceptional game. The Coyotes took a 21-13 victory.
“It just shows that the angels were watching over us in that game. We were meant to win. We are going to keep winning for the rest of the season,” Justyn exclaimed.
Uvalde head coach Wade Miller spoke to his team after the game. He praised his young players for playing in their first varsity game and complimented his defense for coming up big.
He choked up and pounded his chest at the end of his post-game speech.
“I love you like you are my own children, you understand that?” Miller asked his players.
They shouted “Yes, sir.”
After the game, the players got to take photos with their families.
“Seeing everyone smile and cheering, it just felt really great,” Frank retorted.
During their first home game of the season, these teenagers were once again asked to carry the weight of the world on their shoulder pads — while having to worry about a tough Eagle Pass Winn team.
The Honey Bowl was full of Coyote fans. Some were even watching from the beds of their pickup trucks. That’s how much this town supports its children.
Uvalde’s young squad wasn’t thinking about a school board meeting or concerned about what the media is talking about. For those few hours, they could watch kids having fun on the gridiron.
That alone has brought smiles to this town that is still healing.
“We don’t need no more sadness, no more sorrows. I mean, it’s okay to feel sad every once a while, but we are Uvalde. We are close, so it’s good for everybody to feel the joy again,” Justyn said.