2024 Season Game 2 vs KIPP Sunnyside

Written by Varsity Cheerleader Claire Alderson

On September 6th, the Tomball Christian Warriors had the opportunity to play Kipp Sunnyside as the first home game of the year. Tomball was successful and won, 39-14. The Warrior defense was able to contain Sunnyside’s explosive passing offense. In the second half, the Warrior’s offense turned their attention to control time of possession. Tomball offensive played a balanced game and was able to score 39 points.

After the game I was able to interview two of the Warriors’ Captains, Jeremiah Wilkins and Gabe Villalobos. Both are seniors who plan to play football in collage. Jeremiah has played with the Warriors for the last five years. Gabe has been a warrior since his freshman year.

Interview with Jeremiah Wilkins:
What do you like about TCW?
Jeremiah: I like that it’s a family, and it’s always been so united. Ever since I came out in eighth grade, it was really just a team of acceptance, and a team of getting better every day. It was really just unity.

Why do you play football?
Jeremiah: Well God gave me a talent of being 6’1”, 205, that he didn’t give a lot of people. I really like being more athletic than people, and also doing it for God.

What are your goals this season?
Jeremiah: I want a 110 tackles season. I want 4 picks, and I want 20 TFL [tackles for a loss] season.

What do you think we did well as a team?
Jeremiah: A lot, it’s hard to single out one. Head top, pulling the ball off dude’s faces, peeling some skulls, that was pretty tough. John [Gill] had two crazy head tops. Luke [Harrison] had one. I guess just going up and getting that thing.

Who do think played well today?
Jeremiah: Houston had a good standout. It was his first week at inside linebacker. He had a pick, and made a lot of clutch tackles, that really helped out.

What did you do well?
Jeremiah: I think the game started changing defensively when I went to defensive end. Being able to get that quarterback moving a little more and having a little more pressure.

What does being a Captain mean to you?

Jeremiah: In short, nothing. It means a lot because it’s a high regard, because its like a team- appointed leader, but at the same time, I was the same leader a week before I was a Captain. So it means everything and nothing at the same time. I’m blessed to be one of four, but at the same time I’m going to keep doing what I was doing.

Interview with Gabe Villalobos:

What do you like about TCW?
Gabe: The fellowship, we’re all great, we’re all together even through our ups and downs. We’re trying to make everything work together, as a team. The fellowship, the brotherhood, and the sisterhood, everyone’s together.

Why do you play football?
Gabe: I play football for my family mostly. For my grandpa and my aunt. They’ve past away, unfortunately. They past away five years ago, right before I started playing football. Them and my mom and my dad are my biggest influences for playing football.

What are your goals this season?
Gabe: Perfect season, 10-0, go undefeated. That’s the goal.

What do you think we did well as a team?
Gabe: I think we ran the ball very well on the inside of tackles. I think we good passing the ball. We had a clean pocket, Caden [Alderson] played a great game today. I think that’s the bulk of it.

Who do think played well today?
Gabe: Jadon Palacios had a great game. Sam Pearson had a great game. I already mentioned Caden [Alderson]. Really there’s no downsides I can think of. All the receivers played well. John Gill played a great game.

What did you do well?
Gabe: I got better throughout the game with my pass set. My run set needs a little bit of work, but I think I did well on my pass set. Later in the game building off of what they were doing.

What does being a Captain mean to you?
Gabe: It means a lot, coming from how I grew so fast within the team. I dealt with some adversity my sophomore year: broke my ankle and got pushed out of the starting line up. Now going here and senior year getting pushed into it, finally being a leader and being able to talk to the guys and grow with them. It has as been great. It’s amazing.