When Piedra Vista needed someone to step up and deliver against rival Bloomfield, Reuban Marquez answered the call in a big way. The junior quarterback turned in a performance that will be remembered all season, racking up 240 yards rushing on 27 carries with a touchdown while also throwing for 108 yards. His ability to keep the defense guessing — and his will to carry the offense — made him an easy choice for the Athlete of the Week.
Marquez wasn’t just effective — he was unstoppable. Averaging 8.9 yards per carry, he repeatedly moved the chains, extended plays, and kept Bloomfield’s defense off balance. His 54-yard dash in the second half brought the crowd to its feet and gave his teammates the spark they needed to finish the job.
Head Coach Jeff Howell said the Panthers designed their game plan to lean on Marquez’s unique skill set.
“He did what we thought he was capable of,” Howell said. “He’s a kid that can extend plays, and that changes the game. We put in more quarterback run packages for him, and it paid off for us.”
That balance of arm and legs forced Bloomfield to adjust defensively — something Howell said makes Marquez such a dangerous weapon.
“If you just run, defenses can load the box. But when you can run and throw, now they’re in a dilemma,” Howell explained. “Reuban gives us that dual threat. He’s not Lamar Jackson, but he’s got the legs and the arm to make you pay if you don’t respect both.”
Equally impressive was Marquez’s leadership in the huddle and on the sidelines.
“He never got rattled,” Howell said. “He kept his head, stayed calm, and focused on the next play. His teammates feed off that. They know he’s going to do his job, so they can just focus on theirs.”
Howell also praised Marquez’s stamina and work ethic. Carrying the ball nearly 30 times would wear down most players in early September, but Marquez never slowed down.
“Reuban’s got a great conditioning base, and he’s always been a high-motor kid,” Howell said. “Even when he was tired, he kept giving 100 percent. That’s just who he is.”
But while Marquez was the star of the night, Howell made sure to remind that football is always a team game.
“Reuban’s definitely a key component, but he needs help,” Howell said. “Football takes 11 guys. With all that scrambling, someone has to block for him. When you have a good player like Reuban, it gives you the chance to be great — but it’s always about the team.”
For Piedra Vista, Friday’s win was about more than one player, but there’s no denying Marquez set the tone. His mix of playmaking, composure, and determination made the difference, and it’s why he’s earned this week’s Athlete of the Week.
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Honorable mentions Piedra Vista Senior Andrew Wood, Strip Football return for a Touchdown.
Honorable Farmington Junior Reese Robbins Helping her team to a 2-0 leading the team in blocks an kills in volleyball.
