Photos by Nicole Flowers
October 21, 2024
Bandera’s Cabrera stepping up as leader during ACL rehab process
By Brady Keane
The Bandera Prophet
Everything changed in a split-second for Bandera running back Juan Cabrera.
On the Bulldogs’ first offensive snap of a second-round playoff game against Ingleside last year, the then-sophomore running back — a vital piece of an explosive Bandera offense — tore his ACL. It was a devastating blow, not just to Cabrera, but to a team that was riding high after securing its first district championship and playoff win in nearly 15 years.
Cabrera, who rushed for over 1,100 yards and nine touchdowns that season, had been a workhorse behind Bandera's resurgence.
Now, as a junior, Cabrera finds himself in an unfamiliar role while leading from the sidelines. Unable to take the field while rehabbing his knee, Cabrera hasn’t missed a beat when it comes to making an impact on the program. His presence at practice, constant encouragement, and leadership earned him the respect of his teammates, who voted him a captain this season.
"When I think of Juan, the first word that always comes to mind is special," Bandera Head Coach Joel Fontenot-Amedee said. "He is a special football player on the field, but that pales in comparison to the quality of character and overall student-athlete he is. To go through the things he has and not miss a day of practice—much less a day of training—that says it all. To be voted a team captain and not have taken a snap in over a year is pretty extraordinary and says everything about who he is."
Cabrera's leadership has been invaluable, especially for younger players like Dalton Parks, Caleb Tippit and Jaymin Klein, who have battled their own injury challenges this season. That group, which included senior captain Roman Rigelsky prior to his return from injury a few weeks ago, have combined to serve as some of the most excited members of the Bandera sideline on Friday night.
"We are all looking for people to lock on to when we face hard things," Fontenot-Amedee said. "These young men have a very good representation of how to handle adversity when they look to their teammate Juan Cabrera, who has a huge heart. His impact on them—and their response—is immeasurable."
Cabrera’s influence hasn’t been limited there, though. His voice has also been a guiding presence for sophomore running back Breydan Gherman, who starred at running back on the JV team last year before transitioning to wide receiver in the offseason.
Gherman made the move back to running back in early August. Now, after rushing for over 780 yards in seven games this season, he credits much of his success to Cabrera’s mentorship.
“Juan’s had a very big impact on me since making that switch back to running back,” Gherman said. “He didn’t just try to prepare me for the cuts I needed to make or the plays I needed to memorize, but really focused on the mental side of things which is important. ‘You have to believe, and have that dog,’ as Coach Juan would say.”
Cabrera’s role as a sideline coach has given Gherman someone to lean on when things get tough, and Cabrera has valuable experience to share after having been in Gherman’s shoes while carrying the load on the ground as a running back last season.
After stepping up late in his freshman season at the varsity level, Cabrera was Bandera’s go-to running back as a sophomore. He surpassed the 1,000-yard mark and proved himself as one of the team’s most reliable playmakers.
"Honestly, he is one of our best football players," Fontenot-Amedee said. "We had to adjust to not having him in the backfield early in the season, and it showed. He was unquestionably our bell cow on last year's district championship football team. He exceeded all expectations our coaching staff had for him, and I cannot wait to see what the last part of his career has in store for him."
For now, Cabrera’s presence and leadership continues to make a difference for the Bulldogs as they continue their pursuit of a second straight district championship. But the junior continues to work hard in his recovery process, with his eyes set on rejoining his teammates on the field in the near future.
“Not being able to be with my teammates competing on the field has definitely been the hardest part of this process,” Cabrera said. “But being thought of as a leader on this team makes me strive to be better for each person on our squad. That’s part of why I believe we are so strong together as a unit. Rehab is going great mentally and physically, and I give God and my teammates all the praise for keeping my head on straight. With my coaches and teammates standing beside me, my confidence is still there and I’m looking forward to the next time I get the football in my hands.”
Fontenot-Amedee has no doubt that when that moment comes, Cabrera will be ready.
"The things he has been through will make him not only a stronger and better football player when he returns, but a great, employable worker when he is ready to enter the workforce," Fontenot-Amedee said. "His impact is something that could go unnoticed to the untrained eye on Friday night, but if you want to see what 'We Are One' is all about, watch Juan on the sideline. It is special."
On the Bulldogs’ first offensive snap of a second-round playoff game against Ingleside last year, the then-sophomore running back — a vital piece of an explosive Bandera offense — tore his ACL. It was a devastating blow, not just to Cabrera, but to a team that was riding high after securing its first district championship and playoff win in nearly 15 years.
Cabrera, who rushed for over 1,100 yards and nine touchdowns that season, had been a workhorse behind Bandera's resurgence.
Now, as a junior, Cabrera finds himself in an unfamiliar role while leading from the sidelines. Unable to take the field while rehabbing his knee, Cabrera hasn’t missed a beat when it comes to making an impact on the program. His presence at practice, constant encouragement, and leadership earned him the respect of his teammates, who voted him a captain this season.
"When I think of Juan, the first word that always comes to mind is special," Bandera Head Coach Joel Fontenot-Amedee said. "He is a special football player on the field, but that pales in comparison to the quality of character and overall student-athlete he is. To go through the things he has and not miss a day of practice—much less a day of training—that says it all. To be voted a team captain and not have taken a snap in over a year is pretty extraordinary and says everything about who he is."
Cabrera's leadership has been invaluable, especially for younger players like Dalton Parks, Caleb Tippit and Jaymin Klein, who have battled their own injury challenges this season. That group, which included senior captain Roman Rigelsky prior to his return from injury a few weeks ago, have combined to serve as some of the most excited members of the Bandera sideline on Friday night.
"We are all looking for people to lock on to when we face hard things," Fontenot-Amedee said. "These young men have a very good representation of how to handle adversity when they look to their teammate Juan Cabrera, who has a huge heart. His impact on them—and their response—is immeasurable."
Cabrera’s influence hasn’t been limited there, though. His voice has also been a guiding presence for sophomore running back Breydan Gherman, who starred at running back on the JV team last year before transitioning to wide receiver in the offseason.
Gherman made the move back to running back in early August. Now, after rushing for over 780 yards in seven games this season, he credits much of his success to Cabrera’s mentorship.
“Juan’s had a very big impact on me since making that switch back to running back,” Gherman said. “He didn’t just try to prepare me for the cuts I needed to make or the plays I needed to memorize, but really focused on the mental side of things which is important. ‘You have to believe, and have that dog,’ as Coach Juan would say.”
Cabrera’s role as a sideline coach has given Gherman someone to lean on when things get tough, and Cabrera has valuable experience to share after having been in Gherman’s shoes while carrying the load on the ground as a running back last season.
After stepping up late in his freshman season at the varsity level, Cabrera was Bandera’s go-to running back as a sophomore. He surpassed the 1,000-yard mark and proved himself as one of the team’s most reliable playmakers.
"Honestly, he is one of our best football players," Fontenot-Amedee said. "We had to adjust to not having him in the backfield early in the season, and it showed. He was unquestionably our bell cow on last year's district championship football team. He exceeded all expectations our coaching staff had for him, and I cannot wait to see what the last part of his career has in store for him."
For now, Cabrera’s presence and leadership continues to make a difference for the Bulldogs as they continue their pursuit of a second straight district championship. But the junior continues to work hard in his recovery process, with his eyes set on rejoining his teammates on the field in the near future.
“Not being able to be with my teammates competing on the field has definitely been the hardest part of this process,” Cabrera said. “But being thought of as a leader on this team makes me strive to be better for each person on our squad. That’s part of why I believe we are so strong together as a unit. Rehab is going great mentally and physically, and I give God and my teammates all the praise for keeping my head on straight. With my coaches and teammates standing beside me, my confidence is still there and I’m looking forward to the next time I get the football in my hands.”
Fontenot-Amedee has no doubt that when that moment comes, Cabrera will be ready.
"The things he has been through will make him not only a stronger and better football player when he returns, but a great, employable worker when he is ready to enter the workforce," Fontenot-Amedee said. "His impact is something that could go unnoticed to the untrained eye on Friday night, but if you want to see what 'We Are One' is all about, watch Juan on the sideline. It is special."