Season Preview- Holy Cross Knights

8/29 – @ Antonian Prep   9/5 – @ San Antonio Christian   9/12 – vs Central Catholic   9/19 – @ Weimar   9/26 – vs NBCA*   10/3 – @ Geneva*   10/10 – @ John Paul II*   10/17 – vs First Baptist   10/24 – vs John Paul II*   11/7 – @ HCCSA*    Adrian‑Josiah “AJ” Eguia stands at a sturdy 6′0″ and roughly 210 lbs, bringing a powerful frame ideal for a versatile playmaker. While formally listed as a tight end, he contributes across multiple positions—carrying the ball, lining up as a fullback, and even making key tackles on defense. His physicality earned him First Team All-District honors as a freshman athlete in TAPPS Division III, validating his dominant two-way impact.   On the field, AJ is a game-changer. Through the 2024 season, he recorded 10 receptions for 102 yards and seven touchdowns, quickly becoming his team's top scoring threat. He delivered one multi-TD performance in late October and made big plays in the playoffs—against Lake Country Christian he added two total tackles, and he was a key contributor in both the Bishop Gorman and Dallas Christian matchups. His skill goes beyond stats—he's a reliable target in the red zone, finishes contact with authority, and shows sudden burst after the catch.   What truly sets AJ apart is his explosive athleticism and football IQ. Listed with a 3.6 GPA, he's committed to improving both mentally and physically. His Hudl profile shows a multi-faceted skill set—soft hands, quick initial burst, and strong blocking technique in the run game. With First Team honors as an underclassman, two-way production, and growing recognition in TAPPS, AJ is solidifying himself as one of San Antonio's most promising 2026 prospects.   Bottom line: AJ Eguia is a physical, instinctive, two-way athlete—racking up touchdowns, tackles, honors, and production, all while showcasing the intangibles of a future high-level recruit.     John Acosta may operate under the radar at 5′8″ and 165 lbs, but he consistently outplays size expectations with intelligence, technique, and heart in Holy Cross's secondary. Serving as a full-time cornerback and slot defender, Acosta blends sticky coverage skills with fearless tackling—never hesitating to come up and deliver precision hits in traffic. His quickness and anticipation allow him to mirror receivers and make disruptive plays, making him a trusted presence on every snap.   On the field, Acosta stands out as a ball-hawk and route technician. His ability to read route stems early gives him a jump on passes, leading to several key pass breakups and interceptions this season. Even when matched with bigger targets, he wins with sharp footwork, strong positioning, and confident hands. In one pivotal playoff matchup, he notched two PBUs and denied a red-zone fade route with tight coverage and smooth recovery techniques—demonstrating his capacity to rise to pressure moments.   What truly separates Acosta is his preparation, situational awareness, and leadership. Coaches praise his dedication in the film room—he often scouts opponents' route schemes and teaches younger teammates positioning insight. His presence on the sideline and during drills reflects his high motor and competitive edge. With technique, instincts, and relentless effort, John is defining himself as not just a top defensive back in the Class of 2026 from Holy Cross, but also as a high-character competitor whose impact resonates far beyond his stature.     Crew Hudson may stand just 5′10″ and weigh 160 lbs, but don't let that fool you—he's already making himself heard on the varsity field as a freshman playmaker. Operating primarily out of the slot, Crew brings smooth acceleration and fluid route-running to every snap. His ability to read leverage and find soft zones in zone coverage makes him a trusted check-down option who consistently flips field position and gets chains moving.   On game film, Hudson's sharp quickness and spatial awareness stand out. Whether running crisply timed slants, bubble screens, or wheel routes, he consistently gains separation with sudden burst and precise footwork. His reliable hands and ability to reel in contested throws showcase maturity beyond his years. In early-season matchups, he's amassed multiple first-down receptions, including a memorable scramble-and-catch that flipped momentum with a 15-yard getaway—all from limited snaps as a freshman.   What sets Crew apart is his instincts and football IQ. Coaches highlight his early grasp of route concepts and defensive shells, which allows him to adjust on the fly and help coordinate pre-snap shifts. His competitive edge shines in high-pressure situations where he's shown poise as a short-yardage target. With natural hands, sharp processing, and a relentless motor, Crew Hudson is carving out a name for himself as one of South Texas's most promising freshmen wideouts in the Class of 2028.   Bottom line: Crew Hudson plays well beyond his class—leveraging burst, technique, and smarts to make early-season noise, and setting a foundation for a potentially dynamic high school career.     Rocky Orozco, a 5′11″, 165‑lb sophomore, has quickly emerged as a dual-threat signal-caller with a high ceiling. A left-handed passer with excellent arm strength and accuracy, Rocky has already demonstrated poise and pocket awareness beyond his years. In his freshman season, he completed nearly 70% of his passes (85 of 122 attempts) for 1,285 yards and 14 touchdowns, while also rushing for 573 yards and adding three rushing scores—showcasing both his passing efficiency and playmaking ability.   On the field, Rocky's greatest impact lies in his explosive playmaking. He uses sharp timing in his drop‑backs and shows advanced field vision—able to keep plays alive with his legs when protection breaks down. He recorded multiple long scrambles as a freshman and has already flashed the nimble athletics and pocket mobility that define modern dual-threat quarterbacks. Scouts have drawn attention to his 4.71‑second 40‑yard dash and quick footwork, which makes him both a threat in the air and on the ground.   Off the field, Rocky's leadership and maturity are just as impressive. With a 3.89 GPA and enrollment in honors courses, he combines academic discipline with a coachable attitude and vocal presence in the huddle. His recruitment buzz is real—he's already garnered attention as a rising 2‑star prospect on evaluation platforms and is drawing early interest from North Texas University and Trinity University. With strong performance, academics, and character, Rocky Orozco is shaping up as one of San Antonio's most promising Class of 2028 quarterbacks.   Bottom line: Rocky Orozco blends accuracy, dual-threat athleticism, and leadership—marking him as a standout underclassman QB with the tools and mindset to thrive at the Varsity and collegiate levels.     Andrew Ybarra stands 6′0″ and about 195 lbs, anchoring Holy Cross's defense as a tough, instinctive force in the middle. A junior in the Class of 2027, Ybarra has emerged as a tackling machine—racking up 78 total tackles in 14 games last season (5.6 per game), along with 2.5 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, and 1 pass breakup. His consistency and motor make him a foundational player on every downs.   On the field, Ybarra's impact speaks volumes. He consistently shoots through A‑gaps, stacks blockers, and brings down ball-carriers with sound pad-level and an explosive burst. In the playoff win over Lake Country Christian, he had seven tackles and half a sack. In the state quarterfinals, he logged four solo stops against Dallas Christian. Film highlights showcase his quick diagnosis, sideline pursuit, and power to finish—traits that have opponents thinking twice before testing the middle.   What separates Ybarra is his football IQ, leadership, and relentless preparation. A Hudl standout, he's known for breaking down opponents on film and steering defensive calls on the sideline. Coaches and teammates praise his high character and work ethic—he's often cited as the first in the weight room and last off the field. With elite tackling prowess, versatility, and sideline command, Ybarra is rapidly becoming one of San Antonio's top Class of 2027 defensive prospects.   Bottom line: Ybarra's combination of production, intelligence, and leadership marks him as a blue-collar defensive anchor—one who elevates the entire Holy Cross defense and projects as a force at the next level.     Taylor Flores stands at 5′8″ and 170 lbs, but what he lacks in size, he more than makes up for with explosiveness and a physical playing style. Ranked among the top 31 rushers in TAPPS Division III with 255 yards, Flores consistently breaks off chunks of yardage—despite a limited offensive workload. His cornerstone moment came in the state playoff opener, with a long touchdown run that set the tone for Holy Cross's dominant 56–14 victory over Lake Country Christian.   On the field, Flores blends a downhill running style with a sharp vision that separates cutback lanes and defensive pursuit angles. In playoff matchups versus Bishop Gorman and subsequent opponent Covenant Christian, he racked up over 80 rushing yards and multiple scores, using short-area burst and stiff-arm balance to break through contact. His ability to finish runs with authority resonates on tape—whether in garbage time or tight red-zone goal-line carries, he shows the eye-of-the-tiger mentality that backfield coaches value most.   What sets Flores apart is his heart, consistency, and high-motor hustle. He uplifts the offense and defense through his physical style, routinely firing off blockers and fighting for every yard. His play in high-stakes playoff games elevated the underdog Knights, earning him praise from coaches and teammates. At 170 lbs, he plays much bigger—embodied by his willingness to lower pads, deliver contact, and outwork opponents on every snap. Taylor is the kind of back who carries both the ball and the energy of his team—a key performer to watch as he heads into his senior campaign and cements himself as one of South Texas's most rugged backs.       Diego Fernandez commands attention on both sides of the ball at 6′1″ and 215 lbs. Defensively, he's a DAWG—an instinctive linebacker whose blend of downhill power and sideline-to-sideline range makes him the first name circled on every opponent's scouting report. Offensively, he flips the script at tight end, using the same physical presence to carve out a reliable target in the passing game and a punishing edge-setter in the run game.   At linebacker, Fernandez diagnoses plays in a flash and explodes through gaps, piling up tackles for loss and hurrying quarterbacks with well-timed blitzes. His low pad level and wrap-up technique erase yards after contact, while his vocal pre-snap adjustments keep the entire defense aligned. Slide him to tight end, and the traits translate: he fires off the line with heavy hands, seals edge defenders on outside-zone calls, and shows soft hands on quick outs and seam routes. A pair of red-zone touchdown grabs this past fall showcased his body control and catch radius—proof that he's more than just an extra blocker.   What elevates Fernandez above most two-way players is his preparation and leadership. Film sessions find him breaking down fronts from both a linebacker's and tight end's perspective, giving coaches a second on-field mind. Teammates lean on his on-field adjustments and relentless practice energy. With impact production at two marquee positions, plus the intelligence and motor to match, Diego is the rare “complete football player” every program covets—and a 2026 prospect whose stock should keep rising.   Bottom line: Whether erasing ball-carriers at linebacker or moving the chains and mauling defenders at tight end, Diego Fernandez brings power, polish, and football IQ that set him apart in South Texas.

8/29 – @ Antonian Prep