In his four seasons as a varsity starter for the Brownsville Pace Vikings, Jose Banda has made his name synonymous with success.
Banda spent the past three seasons as QB1 for the Vikings and used his dual-threat abilities to lead Pace to prominence. He said getting the opportunity to play one last season during the COVID-19 pandemic “meant everything” to him, and the senior certainly made the most of the chance.
In six games, Banda accounted for every completed Pace pass and totaled 885 yards with nine touchdowns through the air. He added 320 yards and five scores on the ground to average 200 yards of offense per game as he led the Vikings to their fourth straight playoff appearance and become the first football player in Pace history to reach the postseason four times in a row, according to the staff. Banda is The Brownsville Herald’s All-Metro most valuable player for the second straight season.
“It feels awesome. I’m thankful to God, and thankful to everybody at the Herald for picking me for this award,” Banda said. “I want to thank the coaches here at Pace, every single one of them did an awesome job. They took me in my freshman year and let me lead. They’re the reason I am where I am today, they’ve been like dads the past four years. Thanks to every single teammate I’ve played with since my freshman year, and my family and girlfriend, and every person at Pace for their support.”
Vikings offensive coordinator Rodney Morales said Banda’s versatility, constant progression and football IQ helped the quarterback become the focal point of Pace’s offense throughout the years. Banda’s athleticism created chances for other Vikings playmakers to shine as well, and he made it easier for the staff to call plays because of how well he executed the offense.
“I remember his freshman year, he started at linebacker. Then we moved him over to quarterback because, talent-wise, you could see what he could do throwing the ball,” Morales said. “Defenses had to not only prepare for his passing game, but his running game. Very smart kid, very talented, and not only in football but other sports as well. He was a big plus for us and kept developing all three years we had him on offense.”
Banda said it was “a humbling experience” leading the team from such a young age, and one that made him better in a lot of ways and gave him a lot of fond memories. Getting a win over McAllen High in a playoff play-in game was a highlight from this season, but overall, what Banda cherishes most from his Vikings career is elevating the program with guys he grew up with that are friends before they’re teammates and leaving a legacy of hard work behind him.
“Football’s a sport that’ll put you in your place real quick. It’s helped me become more of a leader and I’m really thankful for that,” Banda said. “I just want people to work hard. Working for it feels 10 times better at the end. I’m thankful to have had the ability to take a program that wasn’t really recognized for being a football powerhouse and kind of making it into one with my team.”
The Brownsville Herald’s 2020 All-Metro Football Team
Most valuable player
Jose Banda, Brownsville Pace
Offensive player of the year
Melik Kauachi, Brownsville St. Joseph
Defensive player of the year
Sean Teo Ong, Brownsville St. Joseph
All-purpose player of the year
Marlon Montelongo, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Newcomer of the year
Kriz Pena, Brownsville Hanna
Coach of the year
Mark Guess, Brownsville Hanna
First team
Offense
Quarterback: Kevin Garcia, Brownsville Porter
Running backs: Marc Garcia, Brownsville Pace; Chris Resendiz, Los Fresnos
Wide receivers: Alex Agado, Brownsville Pace; Michael McHale, Brownsville Veterans Memorial; Ryan Trinidad, Brownsville Hanna
Offensive linemen: Juan Castillo, Brownsville Rivera; Blake Fowkes, Brownsville St. Joseph; Kevin Garcia, Brownsville Pace; Victor Lozoya, Los Fresnos; Victor Ramos, Brownsville Porter
Kicker: Jose Medrano, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Defense
Linebackers: Abel Campos, Brownsville Rivera; RJ Limon, Los Fresnos; William Wassen, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Defensive backs: Anthony Ambriz, Brownsville Hanna; Andrew Gonzalez, Brownsville Pace; Adriel Trevino, Brownsville Porter; Freddy Villarreal, Brownsville Hanna
Defensive linemen: Arath De La Torre, Brownsville Porter; Humberto Garcia, Brownsville Hanna; Andrew Hernandez, Brownsville Lopez ; Sergio Martinez, Brownsville St. Joseph
Punter: Danny Esquivel, Brownsville Rivera
