Two months after Cristo Garza’s death, Zion-Benton’s La’Zarius Geater remains driven to honor his late coach.
Friendly and giving, Garza mentored hundreds of young athletes throughout his two-decade career as a coach and teacher. He died June 19.
Geater, a senior running back and safety, said he wants to fulfill the potential Garza saw in him early in his high school career.
“Summer was a tough time when he passed,” Geater said. “He really motivated us a lot. So we’re trying to win it all for him.
“He helped me a lot. He always made me stay focused, told me the right stuff and always helped me. I looked up to him in every way.”
Zion-Benton senior quarterback Tyshion Gordon said Garza’s memory will live on through his players. The Zee-Bees open the season with a home game against Stagg at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
“The mood and environment of the team is determined,” Gordon said. “We came together and decided to use that as a building block for change, although it was very hard and rough for the first month or so to get through it. We eventually united and helped each other through it.”
Set to begin his fourth season on the varsity team, the 5-foot-10, 187-pound Geater is looking to top the 1,165 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns he totaled during the six-week spring season earlier this year.
Geater, named all-conference in the North Suburban, had several eye-catching performances, including 202 yards against unbeaten conference co-champion Lake Forest. But he promises his final act will be the best of his career.
“I wasn’t surprised how I did last year because I kind of felt like it was going to be a big year,” he said. “Coach (Garza) kept me focused and stayed on me.
“I’m really excited for this year, just to get my name out there and help the team win. I’ve gone through a lot of adversity from people talking down on me that I’m not going to make it. I’m going hard to prove people wrong.”
Gordon said Geater’s speed is a game-changing element of Zion-Benton’s offense.
“La’Zarius is very shifty and can go from zero yards to 20 or 30 yards in a split second,” Gordon said. “He has a real opportunity to be a playmaker.”
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MacArthur White, Zion-Benton’s interim coach, raved about Geater’s focus this summer and his desire to be a team leader.
“He’s a gifted kid who just has it,” White said. “He has great instincts and speed and is real coachable. We’re expecting a big season for him. I think he’s going to play with a chip on his shoulder because a lot of schools are not taking a chance on him.
“Zion-Benton has not been winning lately, so no one really knows of him. If we had a full season last year, he would’ve opened up some eyes. But he still had a big year. He feels like he has something to prove. I can’t wait to get going, to see what he does. He’s a team player who always gives 100%.”
Geater said he got a boost of confidence this summer when he received an offer to play at Roosevelt University.
“This is a really big season,” Geater said. “I really want to get my name out so colleges can really see and know who I am. I’m really excited for that challenge. The offer pushed me harder, and I just have to show out.”
Team: Zion-Benton.
Spring record: 2-4.
Offensive leaders: Mike Gauze, senior, OL; La’Zarius Geater, senior, RB; Tyshion Gordon, senior, QB; Marquesean Taylor, senior, OL.
Defensive leaders: Victor Espinosa, junior, DE; Quentin Handy, junior, DE; Derion Lee, junior, DL; Jyan Peterson, senior, LB.
Playoff history: 11 appearances; most recently lost 49-0 to Brother Rice in the 2018 Class 8A first round.
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.