Following a three-season start that saw Ivan Pina record 92 catches for 1,298 yards and 12 touchdowns from his freshmen year to his junior year, the Alexander receiver was set for a special senior season.
That didn't happen. Just two days into his senior year, Pina tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
But months after the end of the 2024 football season and about nine months after his injury, Pina was able to take the field again with his Alexander teammates for one last time in the South Texas Coaches Association Senior All-Star Game on May 15 at LISD's Shirley Field.
In his return to football, Pina caught a touchdown pass from Zapata quarterback Landon Martinez.
"I wanted to cry when I scored that touchdown," Pina said. "Will (Omenski) would always pick me up when I'd score. For us to do that again was beautiful. It was everything that I wanted. I'm extremely grateful for that.
"I popped open and it was an easy touchdown. It was meant to be. It was closure for me to let me know that this could've been done. I was super excited to have this day."
After the game, with Alexander coach Edwin Garcia by his side—who led Eastside to a 20-6 win—Pina said, "I'm ready to come back in. I want to play for this guy for one more year."
The 20-6 win for Eastside was background noise to the opportunity to allow seniors one more game, especially in Pina's case.
"It's special," Garcia said. "Ivan was a very special person in my heart because I've known him since he was born. Watching him grow up and have a devastating injury his senior year was heartwrenching. I didn't sleep for weeks. It still hurts me. But today brought a little joy in my heart. We were blessed to come out here and play."
Pina was one of three Bulldogs to score a touchdown in the Eastside win. Joe Fernandez scored on the ground, while Julius Vaughn caught a touchdown. Martinez, who was the Offensive Most Valuable Player, threw two touchdown passes. Alexander's Frankie Fuentes was the Defensive Most Valuable Player.
It was the senior crop of Bulldogs who kept Pina going after his ACL tear.
"I was down for a little while when I first got hurt," Pina said. "Mentally, I wasn't doing the things I normally did. These guys here kept me motivated every day when I'd go watch a practice. These guys had my back. They motivated me to get better and get healthy. My mom as well. My mom has always been there for me.
"They had my back. They wanted me to come help out any way I can. Just to be a part of the team. That's what it's all about. I still got to enjoy it. We beat United at the end of the year. We hadn't beat United in six years. I still got to enjoy that moment."
Eastside consisted of players from Alexander, United South and Zapata, while Westside, which was coached by the Cigarroa staff, consisted of players from Nixon, Bruni, Eagle Pass Winn, Cigarroa, United, Martin, LBJ, Eagle Pass and Freer.
To go with Pina, Vaughn, Fernandez and Fuentes, Alexander was represented by linebacker Octavio Garcia, defensive backs Mateo Canamar and Luis Quintero, defensive linemen Ismael Cavazos, Matt Linn, Enrique Garcia, Brandon Bravo and Onecimo Benavidez, offensive linemen Luis Garcia, Fabian Dillaha, Aaron Carranza, Brian Mata, Victor Pescado and William Omenski, and tight end Luke Garcia.
United South had receivers Roel Hernandez and Jonathan Tello, defensive linemen JC Garcia and Rudy Gonzalez, defensive backs Nicholas Vega and Aiden Rodriguez, linebackers Angel Guerra and Misael Viera, running back David Gonzalez, offensive lineman David Arreazola and tight end Angel Lopez, playing alongside Alexander on Eastside.
LBJ players included receiver and quarterback Abraham Huerta, offensive linemen Aaron Aragon and Antonio Pesina and defensive linemen Leo Alcorta and Jose Leos.
United had offensive lineman Diego Perez while Cigarroa has offensive lineman Dylan Escamilla.
Martin was represented by quarterback Charlie Cortina, linebacker and fullback Albert Perez and offensive linemen Kaleb Ramirez and Mark Garcia.
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