On the big stage: Ralph Rubalcaba selected to Blue-Grey Classic
By Reynaldo Leal
Twitter: reynaldolealjr
Senior offensive tackle Ralph Rubalcaba received a letter from the Blue-Grey combine committee yesterday afternoon. The Raymondville Bearkat had been selected, out of 4,200 athletes who participated in football combines across the nation this summer, to play in the 2013 Blue-Grey National All-Star Classic.
The game, which will be held at Buccaneers Stadium in Tampa Bay, Florida, Jan. 13, is billed as an opportunity for 90 elite athletes to perform for college programs across the country. Rubalcaba will be part of the 45-man roster, composed of players from 11 southern states, which will compete against the North squad.
“I’m blessed,” the 17-year-old said, “and I’m glad I can represent Raymondville and the Valley at this game. It’s amazing.”
Although Rubalcaba appreciates the recognition and opportunity, he knows how hard he worked to get to this position.
“Nothing was ever given to me,” the 6-foot-2-inch, 275 pounder said. “I worked hard on my technique with my dad and coaches. This is just part of that hard work and dedication.”
Aside from his work ethic and genetic attributes, the lineman is one of the most competitive people Joe Gonzales has ever met. According to the Bearkat head coach, who also coaches the offensive line, what makes Rubalcaba special is that he hates to lose, and he hates to get beat of the line of scrimmage.
When the Bearkats lost to Mathis in the 2010 state playoffs, the young lineman took it to heart, and he let it his coach know how he felt between bouts of tears.
“He told me it was his fault,” Gonzales said. “I asked him why he thought that and he told me, ‘I couldn’t stop my guy coach.’ I had never seen a player take a loss so seriously.”
That offseason Rubalcaba resolved to work harder. The bitter taste propelled him forward as he ran bleachers, worked heavy ropes and flipped an old tractor tire around his backyard.
The intense workouts seemed to pay off during his junior year. He had 84 pancakes, 23 knockdowns and allowed zero sacks during the 2011 season. The numbers alone garnered him an All-State Honorable Mention and an invite to the Blue-Grey regional combine in Arlington, Texas.
“I went into that combine with the mentality of not getting thrown around and letting those guys run over me,” Rubalcaba, who is also ranked number seven in his academic class, said. “I wanted to hold my own against them and I think that mentality and focus helped me step up my game.”
He felt like an underdog, but the lineman outperformed players from more well-known programs in the country.
“I would wear my Bearkats practice shirt,” he said, “and they always thought I was from some other town. I had to explain where Raymondville was. They had no idea.”
His time in Arlington earned him an invite to the next round of combines in Canton, Ohio. The Blue-Grey Super Combine at the Hall of Fame Stadium provided him with another opportunity to impress.
“I told him not to just sit back and wait for them to give him a chance,” his father, who accompanied Rubalcaba to all his combines, said. “So he took advantage and they liked how he played. He got at least 11 or 12 reps more than the other kids.”
When the super combine was over the Bearkat was one of three top performers. It was a surprise to Rubalcaba, who said it was great that a kid from Raymondville could compete with players from California, Oklahoma and other states, but it wasn’t a shock to his coach.
“Ralph doesn’t know how to give less than 100 percent,” Gonzales said. “He doesn’t know what slow is in practice. It doesn’t surprise me that he impressed those coaches and trainers at the combines because he’s already used to doing things right, and at full speed.”
Gonzales, a coaching veteran of 37 years, said having one of his players recognized this way is the highlight of his career.
“I called my wife already and told her we’re going to see him play,” the coach said. “To have a kid that I coached represent the community of Raymondville, and Bearkats’ football, this way will be a memory I will keep in my heart till the day I die. He’s a very special kid and this is a once in a life time opportunity.”
Rubalcaba and Gonzales still have the rest of the 2012 season to look forward to, and district play begins in two weeks when the Bearkats travel to La Grulla to square off against the Gators. The senior, however, looks forward to preparing and playing well past the date when most Valley players hang up the helmet and pads for the rest of their lives.
He considers the January game in Florida as another step in achieving his goal of playing college ball.
“I’ve gotten letters from Ivy League schools and schools in Texas like UTSA and Texas State,” he said. “But this game is a big step in getting noticed more since it is a national event and televised. I’m honored to be a part of it.”
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On the big stage: Ralph Rubalcaba selected to Blue-Grey Classic
By Reynaldo Leal
Twitter: reynaldolealjr
Senior offensive tackle Ralph Rubalcaba received a letter from the Blue-Grey combine committee yesterday afternoon. The Raymondville Bearkat had been selected, out of 4,200 athletes who participated in football combines across the nation this summer, to play in the 2013 Blue-Grey National All-Star Classic.
The game, which will be held at Buccaneers Stadium in Tampa Bay, Florida, Jan. 13, is billed as an opportunity for 90 elite athletes to perform for college programs across the country. Rubalcaba will be part of the 45-man roster, composed of players from 11 southern states, which will compete against the North squad.
“I’m blessed,” the 17-year-old said, “and I’m glad I can represent Raymondville and the Valley at this game. It’s amazing.”
Although Rubalcaba appreciates the recognition and opportunity, he knows how hard he worked to get to this position.
“Nothing was ever given to me,” the 6-foot-2-inch, 275 pounder said. “I worked hard on my technique with my dad and coaches. This is just part of that hard work and dedication.”
Aside from his work ethic and genetic attributes, the lineman is one of the most competitive people Joe Gonzales has ever met. According to the Bearkat head coach, who also coaches the offensive line, what makes Rubalcaba special is that he hates to lose, and he hates to get beat of the line of scrimmage.
When the Bearkats lost to Mathis in the 2010 state playoffs, the young lineman took it to heart, and he let it his coach know how he felt between bouts of tears.
“He told me it was his fault,” Gonzales said. “I asked him why he thought that and he told me, ‘I couldn’t stop my guy coach.’ I had never seen a player take a loss so seriously.”
That offseason Rubalcaba resolved to work harder. The bitter taste propelled him forward as he ran bleachers, worked heavy ropes and flipped an old tractor tire around his backyard.
The intense workouts seemed to pay off during his junior year. He had 84 pancakes, 23 knockdowns and allowed zero sacks during the 2011 season. The numbers alone garnered him an All-State Honorable Mention and an invite to the Blue-Grey regional combine in Arlington, Texas.
“I went into that combine with the mentality of not getting thrown around and letting those guys run over me,” Rubalcaba, who is also ranked number seven in his academic class, said. “I wanted to hold my own against them and I think that mentality and focus helped me step up my game.”
He felt like an underdog, but the lineman outperformed players from more well-known programs in the country.
“I would wear my Bearkats practice shirt,” he said, “and they always thought I was from some other town. I had to explain where Raymondville was. They had no idea.”
His time in Arlington earned him an invite to the next round of combines in Canton, Ohio. The Blue-Grey Super Combine at the Hall of Fame Stadium provided him with another opportunity to impress.
“I told him not to just sit back and wait for them to give him a chance,” his father, who accompanied Rubalcaba to all his combines, said. “So he took advantage and they liked how he played. He got at least 11 or 12 reps more than the other kids.”
When the super combine was over the Bearkat was one of three top performers. It was a surprise to Rubalcaba, who said it was great that a kid from Raymondville could compete with players from California, Oklahoma and other states, but it wasn’t a shock to his coach.
“Ralph doesn’t know how to give less than 100 percent,” Gonzales said. “He doesn’t know what slow is in practice. It doesn’t surprise me that he impressed those coaches and trainers at the combines because he’s already used to doing things right, and at full speed.”
Gonzales, a coaching veteran of 37 years, said having one of his players recognized this way is the highlight of his career.
“I called my wife already and told her we’re going to see him play,” the coach said. “To have a kid that I coached represent the community of Raymondville, and Bearkats’ football, this way will be a memory I will keep in my heart till the day I die. He’s a very special kid and this is a once in a life time opportunity.”
Rubalcaba and Gonzales still have the rest of the 2012 season to look forward to, and district play begins in two weeks when the Bearkats travel to La Grulla to square off against the Gators. The senior, however, looks forward to preparing and playing well past the date when most Valley players hang up the helmet and pads for the rest of their lives.
He considers the January game in Florida as another step in achieving his goal of playing college ball.
“I’ve gotten letters from Ivy League schools and schools in Texas like UTSA and Texas State,” he said. “But this game is a big step in getting noticed more since it is a national event and televised. I’m honored to be a part of it.”
