‘I’m super excited.’ Pacheco High star running back is healthy, ready for big season
A broken hand sidelined Pacheco High School star running back Abel Bravo during the stretch run last season.
Bravo said it killed him to be sidelined during games against Mountain House and Beyer.
“It was so tough watching my team play without me and not knowing how my hand would be,” Bravo said. “I was so close to breaking records and it all came to an end.”
Bravo can’t wait to get back on the field this season. The injury motivated him to hit the weight room hard. He spent his spring running track to improve his speed.
Bravo enters his senior season stronger, faster and poised for a big year.
“As soon as my hand healed I was training every day,” Bravo said. “I wanted to get ready for this season. I ran track. I’m probably 40 pounds heavier and faster than I’ve ever been.”
In nine games last year, Bravo rushed for 1,411 yards and nine touchdowns. He was among the state’s leading rushers before he got hurt against Ceres in the seventh week of the season.
“He’s put in a ton of work in the weight room,” said Pacheco Coach Jeremy Siemiller. “He’s built up his speed. He did a lot of seven on seven work this offseason with S.W.A.G. (Students With Aspiring Goals). He went to camps at Sacramento State and Fresno State.”
“You can see the difference,” Siemiller added. “His body is more cut up; there’s more definition. He’s filled into his body. Last year he had bulk but it was a pudgy bulk. You can tell he’s been in the weight room.”
Bravo says his team goals are to win a Western Athletic Conference championship and make a deep run in the playoffs. His personal goals are to rush for 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns.
One reason he considers those goals attainable is because the Panthers return three starters on the offensive line in Alex Flores (6-foot-1, 270 pounds), Gabe Escobar (6-3, 265) and Andrew Martinez (6-2, 240).
Add newcomers Xavier Flores (5-9, 230) and Donovan Castrol (5-10, 280) to the line and Siemiller says this is the biggest and strongest O-line he’s had since taking over the program in 2019.
“With three returning starters, they know a lot of what we’re doing,” Siemiller said. “Instead of introducing a lot of plays we can work on technique and how to set up blocks.”
Bravo says there is a brotherhood between a lot of the players.
“Those three returning starters on the line, we grew up together,” Bravo said. “I’ve been playing with them since we were kids. We are brothers.”
The season can’t get here quick enough for Bravo.
“I’m super excited,” Bravo said. “It’s been a roller coaster with the injury. I’m healthy now and ready to go.”
Pacheco 2023 Schedule
Aug. 18 vs Atwater
Aug. 25 vs Livingston
Sept. 1 vs Bradshaw Christian
Sept. 15 vs Johansen
Sept. 22 at Lathrop
Sept. 29 at Davis
Oct. 6 vs Ceres
Oct. 13 vs Mountain House
Oct. 20 at Beyer
Oct. 27 at Los Banos
