Geoff Mott
Sports Scene
ITHACA – Eli Villalobos has been a consistent contributor at wide receiver, at defensive back, and on special teams for the Ithaca football team this season.
But it was his attitude last season that impressed Ithaca coach Terry Hessbrook the most.
“He’s so skilled and talented, and yet he was a kid who couldn’t get on the field last season,” Hessbrook said. “He’s a kid that kept his mouth shut and kept working and working. I’m so proud of that attitude, and that really helps out on a team like this.
“And he came in this season ready to play.”
Villalobos has made contributions in all facets of the game this postseason, as the Yellowjackets pursue a fourth-straight Division 6 state championship.
He had a 30-yard kick return and a rushing touchdown in the first round, 36-0 win over Meridian. He returned a punt 47 yards for a touchdown, had nine tackles, and caught six balls for 83 yards in the 42-7 win over Glen Lake. He followed that with a 25-yard touchdown reception, five catches for 66 yards, and an interception on defense in the 62-34 win over Negaunee in the state quarterfinal game at Ithaca.
Villalobos contributed on special teams throughout last season’s run to the state title, and he’s happy to have made a seamless transition into the starting lineup this year.
“I played a lot in the second half of games last year, and that experience helped,” Villalobos said. “It didn’t discourage me. I just wanted to help out in any way that I could. It was all worth it, because it prepared me for this season.”
Villalobos had scored in nine of the Ithaca’s 12 games heading into the state semifinal game with Montrose. Of his 13 touchdowns, six came through the air, two on the ground, four on punt returns, and one on an interception return.
“I feel I can go out there and do whatever to help the team win,” Villalobos said.
The 5’8″, 150-pounder played with quarterback Travis Smith on the freshman football team and made an easy adjustment into the passing game.
“He knows exactly how to run this system out here,” Villalobos said. “It took a little while for me to figure it out, but we’ve played a lot of catch, and the timing is there.”
The Yellowjackets are on an amazing run of 54 straight victories heading into the state semifinal, but that mark isn’t what inspired Villalobos to give everything to the program.
“I remember watching [former Ithaca receiver] J.T. Jones when I was little,” Villalobos said. “I couldn’t wait to get out here and be part of this.”