Set on the 30-yard line, feeling the heat of the stadium lights, junior Cruz Tello prepares to hike the ball.
Tello started playing football when he was six and has played quarterback since he was ten.
“I played running back until I turned ten because our starting quarterback left our team,” Tello said. “I started playing because I always watched my brother play quarterback.”
Tello credits his family for his football journey, with his parents and brother inspiring him to continue to play.
“I find it beneficial that my brother is able to teach and help me through my football career,” Tello said. “He has played D1 and knows how hard it is to make it. My goal this year is to get my first collegiate offer and he knows the amount of work that needs to be put in.”
This is Tello’s first year starting on varsity, he was playing backup last year on varsity while also being the starting quarterback (QB) on JV.
“The game is faster,” Tello said. “The defenses are bigger and more athletic than what I was used to. This offseason I wanted to make sure my body was in the best condition”
As well as being the starting QB his first year on varsity, he was picked as the only junior team captain this season.
“Being chosen as a captain this season was an honor,” Tello said. “It feels good that the coaches are able to trust in me to lead the team. It gives you confidence that your team is behind you as well.”
Tello hasn’t just made an impact on the coaches, he’s also shown the team that he deserves to be a captain.
Senior Captain Colin Rice has seen improvement in Tello’s skills over the years.
“Cruz is the best quarterback we have on the team. I think that he can and will improve,” Rice said. “From last year to this year he’s improved tremendously, He’s more comfortable in the pocket and makes better reads.”
Tello hasn’t just improved as a football player but also as a leader, Rice believes that he has grown into the role he was groomed for.
“When I found out he was chosen as a captain, I was happy for him,” Rice said. “It was well deserved, he is our quarterback and the leader of our offense.”
In the first four games of the season, Tello has racked up 608 passing yards and 5 total touchdowns. Tello has struggled to adjust to the new season, resulting in two losses for the Bulldogs. However, the team turned it around and is now 2-2 with wins over Anderson and Del Valle.
Brandon Pittman is a coach and the offensive coordinator for the Bulldawgs and works with Tello closely every day.
“The main thing this year is getting him more comfortable in the varsity position,” Pittman said. “Varsity has a different level than JV.”
It isn’t just the physical skills the coaches have been working on with Tello, it’s also been the mental aspect.
“I would say that he’s become more vocal as a leader,” Pittman said. “He’s always been one of those guys who works hard and leads by example.”
Cruz isn’t the first Tello to step on as QB at Bowie, his brother Diego Tello
was a quarterback, who racked up multiple Division One offers while at Bowie.
“Diego and I worked out together throughout the summer,” Cruz said. “He’s helped me a lot through the transition from JV to varsity.”
Cruz’s relationship with his brother has been a major key to his success, as he will always have a support system within the sport
“He’s able to lean on Diego,” Pittman said. “He’s able to help Cruz not just with different skills but also leadership, and the work it takes to get to the next level.”
Cruz has big goals and ambitions going into this year, and the Dawgs are primed for a good season. Cruz and the rest of the Dawgs are on a two-win streak heading into week five against Dripping Springs.
“Our goal this year is to make the playoffs,” Cruz said. “I believe that is in our near future, we just have to keep going one step at a time.
