CLOSER LOOK: Miller’s Sergio Lopez
Take a closer look at Fontana Miller junior Sergio Lopez and you’ll see a player that took a big step forward for the Rebels this season.
Lopez wrote the story after returning two interceptions for touchdowns and recovering a fumble as the Rebels (7-2 overall, 4-0 Mountain Valley League) defeated San Bernardino, 31-6, on Thursday, Oct. 21.
The 5-foot-10, 155-pound defensive back/athlete is averaging 8.6 tackles per game, and has a rushing touchdown, and receiving touchdown and now two pick-sixes to his name this season.
Lopez has done a little bit of everything for the Rebels this season, and will likely play an even more prominent role going forward for coach Andrew Amosi.
“Sergio is a big-time player for us on defense and right now he’s making a big statement,” Amosi said. “He’s actually helping us all three ways – offense, defense and special teams – so when you think about it he rarely comes off the field. He’s probably the fittest player in the game.”
We caught up with Lopez after the win over San Bernardino. We’re going to guess it was the first time he’s talked to a reporter after a game.
InlandFieldhouse.com: You had two pick-sixes in the second half. Have you ever had two in one game before?
Sergio Lopez: “Honestly, no. Never in my life.”
IF: What will you remember about those interceptions?
SL: “My teammates. My teammates. They blocked for me. They were there for me If I didn’t have anyone blocking for me there’s not way I’d have a pick six.”
IF: Playing in all three phases of the game, what is that workload like for you?
SL: “It’s crazy because you got to put in a lot of energy and keep in the game. You can’t take breaks. You’ll let your team down if you take breaks. So it’s just what I do.”
IF: What’s a league title mean for you and this team?
SL: “It’s been a long time since we had that – probably 2008 – so we’re trying to make history.”
IF: Going through everything with COVID, how has this team earned itself a league title?
SL: “It was just a lot of hard work. We had to put our mindsets into this game and we couldn’t ever think that we were going to let COVID stop us. We have to push through that and we just thought the best and got the win today.”
IF: What do you do you to top this?
SL: “It’s crazy. My heart is beating so fast. Shoutout to ‘T.J.’ (Tyler Jean-Jacques), my safety. I couldn’t have got either of those interceptions without him. He tipped the one and set up the other.”
INLAND FIELDHOUSE 