Mario Molinar's two-way play highlights resilient Bernalillo squad

BERNALILLO — A powerful running back, a good set of hands in the receiving game, and a captain linebacker leading the team in tackles.

Without any context, you would think that I just listed three different players out on the football field.

Nope, it’s just Mario Molinar.

In his senior season, Molinar has been a force on both sides of the ball in the Bernalillo Spartans’ 3-1 start to the year.

In the Spartans’ first three games, it has not been for the faint of heart, with all three decided by one score and two of the games going into overtime. Bernalillo’s “Kardiac Kids” will look to carry the momentum into district play as we head deeper into the fall.

“Our coaches always tell us to start strong, and we haven’t been really doing a good job about that,” Molinar said. “But we always think to ourselves that we’re always in the game no matter how much we’re down by and how much or and no matter how much time is left. I feel like our effort and how much we love the game are really important to us.”

You cannot talk about the Spartans’ three-game win streak without Molinar. In the opener versus Valley, he picked up a fumble by the Vikings for an 85-yard scoop and score and the game-winning touchdown. A week later, against Highland, he would block a punt on a 13-tackle night in the win.

Just when you thought he couldn’t do any more, Molinar posted 17 tackles, a receiving touchdown, and a game-clinching rushing touchdown to defeat Portales.

Dominance on offense, defense and special teams. Yet, Molinar’s biggest strength may be the head on his shoulders, as the captain says he could not do it without his teammates.

“I definitely can’t do it on my own. I feel like whenever I run the ball, I have to give all my props to the hogs,” Molinar said. “A couple of key players like Warren Cooper and Terrence Pino. Emiliano (Trujillo), he’s really been stepping up. On the defensive side, I can’t be blitzing and making the tackles just on my own. I have the defensive lineman, and then I have Dusty DeBeer right with me, and Te Omar (Teo Martinez y Marr). I feel like people forget that it’s a team game. So I understand that my name is in there, but we are the Bernalillo Spartans.”

Molinar has been playing football since fourth grade, and growing from a stocky lineman to a lean linebacker through his youth, it has provided him the opportunity to try out many different positions.

“I feel like the coaches believe in me. If someone steps out or if someone gets hurt, then I’m always willing to step in,” Molinar said. “I feel like, definitely as a senior, I know the playbook inside and out, and I believe in my mind that I could play a lot of positions, and I just try to contribute to the team as much as I can.”

Having the energy to play both sides of the ball is not an easy task, but Molinar believes energy is one of his biggest tools, on and off the football field.

“I’m a very energetic person, and I always try to stay positive,” Molinar said. “I feel like I always try to put others before myself, and I feel like God has really given me the best opportunity to play on the field. He gave me that gift to bring a smile to others.”

After a bye week Friday, Bernalillo will take on Espanola Valley Friday, Sept. 26, as they look to make a statement in the 4A Division.

“Watch out for us. It’s our fight that keeps us in every single game, and that’s what makes us so special,” Molinar said. “At the end of the day, we do this for Bernalillo because the town hasn’t had many winning records or positives in sports. And I feel like we’ve been doing a really good job.”