ROGERS -- Andy Mendoza knew something was seriously wrong when he felt a terrible pain in his right knee.
The 6-foot-2, 250-pound defensive tackle at Rogers Heritage made a quick change of direction to go after the Springdale High quarterback and his knee gave out.
Andy Mendoza
School: Rogers Heritage
Class: Senior
Height: 6-2
Weight: 248
Notable: missed the last half of last season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. … ranks third on the team with 29 tackles, including two sacks. … enjoyed a huge game last week against Springdale High with 11 tackles, a sack, two quarterback hurries, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and two tackles for loss.
On The Web
For more on Andy Mendoza check out the video produced by Rogers Heritage Advanced Audio Video Tech students Tyler Clayton, Jose Manuel Mejia and Trevor Stewart at ARPreps.com and this week’s NWADG Prep Spotlight during halftime of the Game of the Week on KXNW channel 34 and livestreamed at nwadg.com.
"I thought the quarterback handed the ball off to the running back , but then I saw the quarterback turn to pass. I guess I moved too fast when I changed direction," Mendoza said. "At first the pain was really bad. I couldn't walk on it. But coach (Mark) Haynes came out and helped me up and I was able to walk off, hobble off."
The diagnosis was a torn anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his knee, which meant his junior season was over in week four. Being relegated to watching from the sideline was tough for Mendoza.
He started playing football in eighth grade and hadn't suffered an injury more severe than an ankle sprain before last year.
"Oh, it was hard," Mendoza said. "I spent eight or nine months out and I had to watch eight games last year. I had to be on the sideline for my team."
Heritage football coach Perry Escalante said the 18-year-old has not missed a beat returning from the injury.
"Oh he's not missing a lick as far as mental preparation," Escalante said. "He's very physical, quick, good with his hands. He has a real nose for the ball. He was really good for us last year and I really think he's picked right back up where he was."
Escalante praised Mendoza's work ethic and maturity as the senior didn't fall into the trap of putting on bad weight after suffering a leg injury, which limits a person's ability to exercise.
"Oh he did his upper body weight work and stayed in pretty good shape," Escalante said. "Yeah, sometimes you see guys put on 20 pounds, but that wasn't Andy."
War Eagles defensive coordinator Paul Wilson agreed with Escalante that Mendoza has shown no ill effects at all.
"It was interesting that he wasn't tentative with it," Wilson said. "I think we were more concerned with it than he was."
But Mendoza admitted there were a few doubts in his mind immediately after the doctor released him to contact. But they went away quickly.
"When the season started I felt good about it," Mendoza said. "My knee was good."
Because of injuries to a couple other players this season, Mendoza has been asked to play some defensive end, a position he's played some but it's not his best spot according to coaches.
"He's done a good job," Escalante said. "He gets off blocks and uses his hands really well. When Andy's down inside it's a different deal."
He showed that with a big performance last week against Springdale as teammate Jed Wilson returned to his normal defense end spot, which allowed Mendoza to go back to tackle.
The senior wreaked havoc, finishing with 11 tackles (10 solos), a sack, two quarterback hurries, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and two tackles for loss.
Mendoza is hopeful of continuing his football career at the college level and coaches believe he could make that dream a reality. That's big since a year ago he was forced to just watch the game he enjoys to play.
"Now that I'm a senior I've started to explore playing in college," Mendoza said. "I'm hope I can. I love the sport and want to continue playing."
Sports on 10/02/2015