OKEECHOBEE – One’s level of impact on others often matters more than numbers.
This is the case of Okeechobee ‘24 wide receiver/defensive back Santana Alvarez, who played eight games this past season for the Okeechobee Brahmans.
Here are Alvarez’s statistics from his senior year of high school football:
OFFENSE
15 carries, 41 yards, 2 touchdowns; 6 receptions, 44 yards, 1 touchdown; 85 total yards, 3 total touchdowns
DEFENSE
15 total tackles (11 solo, 4 assist), 4 tackles for loss, 2 pass breakups, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception
BEST INDIVIDUAL GAME: Week 3 vs. Ambassadors Christian Academy in 48-0
5 carries for 31 yards and 1 touchdown on offense; 2 tackles (both for loss), 1 pass breakup, 1 interception
Alvarez reflected on his senior season with the Brahmans, particularly in the games against Ambassadors Christian Academy and DeSoto County.
“Well when it came to really the whole season, me and my fellow seniors had something to prove coming off two previous 0-10 seasons,” the 5-foot-11, 190-pound two-way player said. “So every game I had a chip on my shoulder to ball out and show everyone what type of athletes Okeechobee has. But when it came to those two games in particular, especially with DeSoto having being beaten two years in a row by this team, I was just being the athlete that I know I am.”
As a result of Alavarez’s senior season, he was selected to play in the Treasure Coast vs. Palm Beach County All-Star Game this past January.
Watch below to see a key play that the All-Star made in his final high school football game.
“It was a great experience,” Alvarez said. “Me and my teammates got to represent Okeechobee and that athletes from small counties are slept on by the coast.”
A few weeks after the Treasure Coast vs. Palm Beach County All-Star Game took place, Alvarez would go on to sign his letter of intent with Palm Beach Elite Academy JUCO. This happened on Wednesday, Feb. 7.
Alvarez will be going on to play college football with fellow Okeechobee ‘24 teammates Ni’Marion Bryant (athlete) and Tyrone Hayes (wide receiver/cornerback).
“It feels good,” said Alvarez, who pledged his verbal commitment with Palm Beach Elite in late January before signing on Feb. 7. “Usually when you go to college, you go in alone. But to have two people I consider my brothers, going in with me is a blessing, even though we’ll be on opposite sides of the ball competing every day.”
Alvarez reflected on his entire high school football experience and journey with the Okeechobee Brahmans.
“These past years have been challenging,” Alvarez said. “We went through three head coaches over a span of four years, went through multiple position coaches, and this year had a split in the coaching, which fell onto the players. But despite that I was able to find a brotherhood in Okeechobee with seniors like Nimarion Bryant and Tyrone Hayes.”
Alvarez did not stop there.
“My senior year was eventful,” Alvarez said. “I finally came to realize how behind Okeechobee was in the development of football. From my freshman to my junior year, I was simply relying on my athletic ability. But when coach Joe Smith came back to be our offensive coordinator, he really broke us down and rebuilt us as the athletes he knew we could be. And when Coach Dallas Alderman came to be my position coach, he really taught me what it was to be a DB.”
Alvarez shared his final thoughts.
“Coming out of my last game with zero offers was scary; I’m not gonna lie,” Alvarez said. “But I just had to put faith in God. And evidently, He blessed me with multiple.”
PHOTO CREDITS: Izzy
Muck City Media Enterprises 
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