Living and breathing the number one sport in America, senior Andreus Rios is the starting quarterback for Coral Gables Senior High’s football team. As Rios stays poised in the pocket, he prepares to conclude his senior year on a high note and lead the Cavaliers to multiple victories this season.
An heir to his father who also played on the Gables team, Rios was introduced to the sport of his dreams practically at birth. His father graduated in 2002 and played defensive end alongside National Football League Hall-of-Famer Frank Gore in high school.
“My dad is a big part of me when it comes to football. He’s the one who pushes me to do better. He would also bring me to football camps across the US to improve my skills,” senior Andreus Rios said.
Throughout Rios’ childhood, football was an outdoor hobby that he was able to share with his friends; it was not until seventh grade that he developed his passion for playing competitively. Stepping into his first opportunity as a quarterback, Rios tried out and was appointed starting quarterback for George Washington Carver Middle School.
“I first started actually playing football in seventh grade with Carver, but I did play before that. I mainly played for fun with friends and stuff like that, and I also did flag football on the side,” senior Rios said.
Fast-forward a couple of years, Rios intended to join the football team as soon as he enrolled at Gables. Coming to each day of tryouts, Rios made junior varsity as a fourth-string quarterback and long snapper his freshman year.
For the next two years, Rios worked hard on and off the field to improve his game. Specifically, he worked on his pocket presence and accurate throws to a receiver. The coaches began to notice his potential during practices and scrimmages; Rios was promoted to starting quarterback for the Cavaliers in his junior season.
“[Rios] is real tough on the field and he has a lot more potential than he gives himself credit for. Over his past few years on the team, he has picked up a lot of the qualities of the player he is today and he has become more of a leader with the start of this season,” head football coach Frank Welsh said.
Seeking improvement every day, he frequently lifts weights to improve his mental and physical health. Rios also practices his quarterback mechanics like the three-step drop.
“It really matters what you do when no one is looking. No one is perfect, and every day is a chance to go out there and practice and improve what you want to work on, even if it’s just throwing a ball around for a few minutes. I always try to go above and beyond…never settle for less,” senior Rios said.
Besides an athlete’s responsibility, Rios embraces the idea of his leadership role with the Cavalier football family. He spends time with his teammates outside of school in order to build a connection both on and off the field.
“I do think it’s important to spend time with my teammates outside of school, whether it be through practice or just hanging out and having lunch together. It helps build the chemistry that transfers onto the field,” senior Rios said.
When he graduates, Rios intends to leave behind his Cavalier home with a sense of accomplishment. Ideally, he would like to play collegiate football, but he is taking it one step at a time, searching for potential schools that are interested in him. As the Cavaliers strive for victory on the gridiron, Rios stands at the helm, ready to guide his team to victory.
“Everything starts with [Rios]. As the quarterback, he’s like our main guy, and he brings the energy that inspires us in our games. When he’s having a good day, so are we, and he helps bring chemistry to the team,” senior Ahmad Fambro said.
