The Garcias--- Hunter (left) and Steven (right).
(San Gabriel) – It was only fitting that the Garcia brothers played a huge part in San Gabriel’s 29-28 Mid-Valley Semi Final win over San Dimas last Saturday night.
Years ago, while growing up at one point without either parent there to support them, playing high school football for a team trying to advance to a championship game was the last thing on their minds.
2011 was the first time that senior Hunter Garcia and sophomore Steven Garcia played together on the same football team and with Hunter graduating next summer, it could be the only year.
But when it came to the semi final game, they made the most of it. Hunter stood up San Dimas running back Devante Brown at the goal line on the two point conversion attempt with just over two minutes left in the game to preserve the one point victory. Steven capped a long march late in the first quarter with a six yard touchdown run to cut the San Dimas lead to 10-7 and put the Mats right back in the game.
While the taste of victory and the reality of a trip to the championship game was sweet for the Garcias it was anything but easy. At times it was a matter of survival.
Arthur Garcia, Hunter and Steven’s father and a veteran of the United States Marine Corp, explains. “They survived my two deployments to Iraq in 2005-’06 and in 2008. In 2005 it cost me my marriage, so the two kids carried on without any parent to take care of them,” he said.
And carry on they did continuing to work hard, persevere and play football. Football gave them hope and helped them forget their troubles for a time. When Hunter and Steven were playing football, the other things at home didn’t bother them as much.
“Through all the chaos football has made everything better for them. I told them a few years ago when I was in Iraq that this was going to be a special year for them – that they just needed to keep their heads up,” Arthur Garcia said. “They never thought they would be playing in a championship game but like the good, strong, young men they are they fought on. Life kept giving them a fourth and long, but instead of punting they went for it.”
Fighting on Hunter had 51 tackles and assisted on 32 others on the year. He played both sides of the line and of course there was the big play Saturday night. Steven, playing his first year on varsity, made major contributions both offensively and defensively as well.
“After everything that they have been though this is the pay off for them and now they have their eyes on the prize- college,” Arthur Garcia “I know I’m probably an over zealous father but I am so proud of my children. They make me so proud of them and when they’re playing it makes me forget, even if only for a little while, about the horrors of war.”
When the Miracle Mats take the field against Monrovia Saturday night, there will be many people that think San Gabriel doesn’t have a chance – that Monrovia is too tough, too big, too much of a mountain for San Gabriel to climb. But for Hunter and Steven Garcia it will be a reward after a long journey and a dream come true after many years of hard work…and survival.
Don’t tell the Garcias that they don’t have a chance. For Hunter and Steven on the field and Arthur in the stands, it will be the chance of a lifetime.
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