Special season: Rios brothers aim for VCHS success

La. Legislature considering minimum wage increase
May 17, 2016
White Like Me
May 17, 2016
La. Legislature considering minimum wage increase
May 17, 2016
White Like Me
May 17, 2016

Every high school football player looks forward to his senior season – a final opportunity to suit up and represent family, friends and community under those famous Friday night lights.


But for Vandebilt linebacker Alec Rios, his last go-round as a Terrier will be twice as nice.

That’s because in Rios’ senior season, he will get to share the gridiron in school ball with his little brother for the first time.

The Rios brothers – Alec and Drew – are significant contributors on a Terriers squad that has high hopes to win District 7-4A when the fall rolls around.


Born to parents Adrian and Lesley Rios, the brothers said the opportunity to be teammates is special – something they’ve looked forward to for many years.

They said they’ll cherish the Friday nights of the fall and are hopeful to make memories that will last a lifetime – together.

“I think it’s going to be very special to play with my brother,” Alec said with a smile. “I know it’s something we’re looking forward to. We both love the game, and to be able to share the field and be on the same team is really, really special.”


“I can’t wait,” Drew added. “We’ve waited for this for a while, and I know we’re both pumped up to finally get the chance to work together to try and help our team win.”

COMPETITION BREEDS SUCCESS

In 2016, the Rios brothers will finally share a team.


But at home, they’re just like any set of brothers – they’re often on opposing sides of heated competition.

Alec said he and his brother are always competing against one another – something they’ve done since early childhood.

Whether it’s in pickup basketball, a video game or anything else, Alec and Drew have often tried to get the better of one another – like all brothers tend to do.


“We’re always trying to one-up each other or try to beat each other at something,” Alec said. “We make the littlest things into competitions, and we do whatever we can to try and come out on top.”

One of the competitions Drew said he remembers well often takes place in the family’s back yard. He said all the brothers need is one football and hours of free time. With it, they’ve been able to occupy themselves for many weekend afternoon at the family’s home.

“We’d throw passes at one another, and keep score of who caught the most balls,” Drew said. “It would get intense, sometimes. We’d always be complaining, talking about what would or wouldn’t count as a catch on some of the passes we’d catch on the ground.”


But for as heated as the sibling rivalry may be, the brothers both know that by sometimes being divided, they’ve ultimately grown better together.

Alec said he looks out for his little brother, often offering him advice about things he can be doing to get better in his athletics.

Drew said he listens to his big brother’s advice, because he knows it’s coming from a good place. He said Alec is his best friend – someone he studies closely at all times.


“He helps me so much,” Drew said. “He’s my role model. I look up to him. I feel like I have an advantage, because I get to see him experience things first, and by doing that, I know what to expect when it’s my turn. Alec is great to me. I look up to him so much. He knows that, too.”

Alec agreed. He said his favorite part about being a big brother is always having someone to train with.

“We push one another,” Alec said. “We make each other better. We do it together.”


BROTHERS BLESSED WITH HIGH-END FOOTBALL TALENT

For the Rios brothers, competing isn’t their biggest passion. Football is. It’s something that they’ve shared together for their entire lives.

And the 2016 season will be a chance for both young men to reap the benefits of years of hard work and dedication to the craft.


Alec is already a known commodity locally – one of the top returning linebackers in the Houma-Thibodaux area. With a 5-foot, 11-inch, 190-pound frame, the older brother possesses the ability to play any linebacker position for Vandebilt in the fall.

The senior linebacker is a ball-hawk on the field – the type of player capable of recording a dozen or more tackles any time he takes the field.

Alec said he’s working hard throughout the summer to get stronger – something he hopes will pay off big-time in his final season as a Terrier.


“I definitely want to work on my strength – that’s my No. 1 goal,” Alec said. “I believe I have good speed for my size, so I want to work to get stronger so that I can have as big of a season as I can for my team.”

While Alec is a known contributor, Drew is still making a name for himself, though he, too, is blessed with loads of football talent.

Drew is slightly smaller than his brother, though he said he’s still growing. Standing just north of 5-foot, 10-inches and weighing a little more than 180 pounds, the rising sophomore is slightly smaller than his big brother, though maybe not for long.


“I’m catching up pretty quick,” Drew said with a laugh.

He’s also catching up in ability – though his primary strengths are on a different side of the ball.

Unlike Alec, Drew spends a lot of his time playing offense. In middle school, Drew was a quarterback – a dual threat weapon who hurt opponents with both his arm and legs.


At the varsity level, Drew figures to be a ‘hybrid athlete’ – the type of player the Terriers will showcase in a variety of ways at multiple positions.

Alec said he’s seen his little brother on the field, and he’s more than capable of holding his own. Big brother said he thinks Drew is in line for a big season.

“He’s very athletic,” Alec said. “He’s worked hard and he makes things happen when the ball is in his hands. He’s getting better every day.”


Though Drew may also play defensive back at times, it’s expected that the majority of the brothers’ action will be opposite of one another – meaning that they’ll be able to watch each other play every game.

When asked what it’ll feel like to watch his brother make a big play, Drew didn’t mince words. He said it’ll be something he won’t soon forget.

“If he gets a fumble recovery or an interception, it’s going to be crazy,” Drew said. “It’ll be all celebration. I’ll want to run onto the field and jump on him. That’s going to be something we’ll look forward to doing.”


It’ll be pretty special for the boys’ family, too.

Adrian Rios said he can’t wait to see his boys share the field as Vandebilt Terriers.

It’s something that neither he, nor mom Lesley Rios will soon forget.


“It’s going to be special for us,” Adrian said. “It’s a day that we’ve looked forward to for a long time. Friday nights will be very special for the Rios family. We can’t wait.” •

Rios brothersCASEY GISCLAIR | THE TIMES