AJ Circhirillo / Roundup
Plays being called, thuds of bodies hitting pads and a kick that propels a ball whistling through the goalpost that ends with a defining thud.
These are the sounds of Head Coach Effrain Martinez’ Brahma football team in spring practice.
“We’ve accomplished certain things but every year we plan on improving,” said Martinez.
According to Martinez, words that embody his relationship with his team are commitment, brotherhood and love; his football team walked away with seven wins and three losses last season, they hope to improve their record next year.
According to Jake Minster, players are attracted from as far away as Florida to Martinez’ team. He, himself is a transfer from College of the Canyons attracted to Pierce for the coaching staff and the many amenities that the college offers including what he calls is the best weight room he has ever seen at a junior college.
“[Martinez] he’s in touch with the players; his goal is to get the kids out of here and into a four year, he cares about our grades,” said Minster.
Minster has been playing football since the sixth grade. His dad played for the Raiders and the 49ers, so he grew up around football. He will be playing middle linebacker next season and hopes to go to a division one college.
“I want to go to the south and play because football is a way of life down there,” said Minster.
Next year’s starting running back, 19-year-old Daniel Lopez hopes that his football career will carry him to an out of state college. He came to pierce because his brother did and because of the strong discipline that the coaches bring to the table. Lopez is majoring in architecture and would like to do that someday if a career in football doesn’t pan out.
“I like the excitement, my adrenaline pumps and I get really into the game,” said Lopez about why he plays.
Next year’s starting quarterback, Clinton Granger nicknamed “Juice”, transferred from Kansas because he had some friends that went to Pierce and told him that it was a good school. He plans on transferring to Florida International University or the University of Florida after December.
“Everybody can’t play football,” said Granger when asked why he plays the sport.
One of his teammates, 19-year-old Clifford Johnson, came from Florida for the education benefits and discipline that Martinez’ football team has to offer. He is currently working toward a liberal arts degree at Pierce and hopes to take broadcast journalism at a 4-year college. Johnson has been playing football since he was eight years old and is currently playing defensive back for the Brahma’s.
“[Plans on] transferring in December to a four year college and someday go to the NFL and play for the Cowboys,” said Johnson.
Martinez’ ethics draw in many players from around the county, as well as many alumni coming back to see how he and his team are doing. Two players came by to see how his coach’s spring training was going.
David Hill who will be graduation this June and transferring to the University of Arizona to play ball for them came by to check out his brothers and make sure they were doing well.
“Coach said that if he had two of me, we’d win a national championship every year,” bragged Hill.
Alex Pettee, who is currently starting quarterback for Toledo came back to Pierce to see how Martinez’ spring training was going. Pettee left Pierce College and has been playing for Toledo on a full ride ever since, he thanks Pierce and Martinez for his situation.
Coincidentally, Pettee and Hill’s teams will meet for their first games of next season.
“Looks like we’ve got a little rivalry going,” joked Pettee.
()