MISSION — Those closest to Mission High’s Kevin Guerra summarize the senior quarterback with one word — leader.
Guerra spent his first three years of high school suiting up for the Rio Grande City Rattlers, earning the starting quarterback gigas a junior. Before his senior season, he transferred to Mission High.
It didn’t take long for Guerra to win over his teammates and the trust from his coaches to be named the Eagles’ starter for the2021 season.
The results were a 7-4 record, second place in District 31-6A and a spot in the UIL Class 6A state playoffs.
Guerra is now set to take his game to the next level after signing a national letter of intent Wednesday at Mission High School tocontinue his academic and football career at Baker, an NAIA school located in Baldwin City, Kansas.
“Baker is getting a leader and someone who wants to help push the program forward and get to new heights every year andthat’s what I’m going to push for,” he said.
Danny Longoria, Mission High’s first-year head coach, and former Rio Grande City head coach Leo Mireles, both had high praisefor their quarterback.
“The manner in which he handled himself — with the class and the ability to come to a brand new school and be able to take ona leadership role as the quarterback at a school — it was a big deal,” Longoria said. “It was phenomenal on his part and I trulybelieve that’s why Kevin’s going to get to play at the next level.”
“The thing that got my attention was his resilient mindset. Right off the bat, you could tell what kind of person he was — heshowed perseverance, resilience and passion,” Mireles said.
Guerra, a District 31-6A first team member and The Monitor’s 2021 All-Area Football first-team quarterback, displayed dual-threat ability while leading the Eagles in 2021. He posted 1,678 passing yards, 21 passing touchdowns and just fourinterceptions. He also finished as Mission’s leading rusher with 747 yards and 17 rushing touchdowns.
Guerra will be the second Rio Grande Valley signal-caller to play college football at Baker in recent years. Former Edcouch-Elsaquarterback Marco Aguinaga wrapped up a five-year career at Baker last season.
Aguinaga was on hand at Guerra’s signing Wednesday to welcome him to the Baker family.
“Seeing another quarterback from the Valley up there really pushed me forward and gave me the confidence that I could go outthere and do it myself,” Guerra said.
