Le Grand's No. 1 fan gets wish

LE GRAND -- Hugo Torres only wanted one thing for Christmas this year.

The 38-year-old Le Grand water boy has been around the program for the last three decades. An athlete at heart, Torres has participated in basketball and track and field at the Special Olympics.

But anyone who knows him knows football would have been his first love.

Being born with Down syndrome, Torres never got the chance to lace them up. Instead, he's lived vicariously through the Le Grand football players since the late '80s.

So the second the Bulldogs secured their second straight Sac-Joaquin Section Division 5 title at the end of November and talk turned toward a possible CIF State Bowl Game appearance, Torres knew he had to be there.

"I got a call from the athletics secretary the Monday after we won the title, saying she needed details about the state game," said Le Grand head coach Rick Martinez. "I said, 'We don't even know if we're in the game. Why do you need it now?'

"She said Hugo's mom had come to the school, asking all kinds of questions, because all he wanted for Christmas was to go to the state bowl game. "

Santa delivered early for Torres. The Bulldogs received word on Sunday that they'll represent Northern California in the Division 4 State Bowl. His mother, Esther Torres, is all set to make the four-plus-hour drive to the Home Depot Center in Carson so her son can be a part of it. The game will be played on Friday afternoon, with the kickoff set for 4.

"He wanted to go with the boys on the bus, but I told him I would drive him," Esther Torres said. "He's very excited. He wants to know everything. 'What time are we getting up? How many miles will it take to get there?'

"The boys and coaches treat Hugo very well, and he really cares about them. He wants to be there for this special moment.

"I thank God every day for my special son. I was happy to do this for him."

Martinez remembers Torres coming and going around the program back when he was in playing for the Bulldogs. He became the team's official water boy when Martinez took the program's reins.

In addition to handing out water bottles, Torres gives the players words of inspiration or even criticism if he doesn't like what he sees.

One of the coaching staff's favorite Torres stories comes from when assistant coach Alex Thomas was playing. Le Grand was struggling that season and was getting hammered in one game. During a timeout, Thomas called Torres over for some water. Torres, not approving of the team's efforts, shook his head and walked the other direction.

When he bikes over to Fontes & Geary Stadium for practice each day, Torres is met with hugs and high-fives from the Le Grand players. It's in this environment that Torres truly comes alive.

Shy at first with strangers, Torres is completely at ease on the Le Grand football field. He tells jokes to the players and coaches, wants to look at play cards during practice and isn't afraid to suggest a play if his gut has a good feeling.

And then there are the questions. Torres devours any football-related knowledge and is happy to discuss anything to do with pigskin at length.

"I can always remember him coming around, even back when I was in high school," offensive coordinator Raul Alvarez said. "He just loves Le Grand football, and everyone from league MVP Daniel Guizar to our called-up sophomores respects him because of that.

"If he can't make an away game, he'll come in on Monday and ask to watch the film so he can see what he missed.

"It's one of those things that transcends football. It's about life and the relationships that you develop. And Hugo's got a special bond with this team."

Torres has been there since the beginning of the journey, so the Le Grand players thought it was only fitting that he be there for the end.

"Hugo's just an inspiration to the team," offensive lineman Leo Marquez said. "He reminds me of that movie 'Radio,' they way he knows his football.

"He'll come in and tell you if your team won or lost over the weekend and want to discuss the Sunday night game.

"This game's been three years in the making for the seniors, and Hugo's been with us the whole time. He deserves to go."

Hugo feels the exact same way about the Bulldogs.

"I think the players did a pretty good this year," Hugo said. "They did their job and get to go to state.

"I'm glad I get to go, because I feel like I'm part of the team."