Richards senior Josh Valenzuela wasn’t always sure where he belonged on the football field.
After experimenting with several positions, Valenzuela eventually found a perfect place at left tackle for the Bulldogs and developed a shrewd sense of how much depended on that.
“I started out originally at right tackle and playing defensive lineman,” he said. “But I knew how important the quarterback is and what we do offensively. We are the line itself.
“Protecting my teammates and my quarterback really makes possible everything we do.”
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A three-year varsity starter, Valenzuela will make everything go up front on the offensive side of the ball for Richards, which checks in at No. 8 in the Daily Southtown preseason rankings.
The Bulldogs, who feature 10 returning starters from last year’s team that finished 9-2 and earned a top playoff seed in Class 7A, have been bolstered by the addition of six transfers.
Valenzuela, meanwhile, will anchor the offensive line. He demands accountability from himself and his teammates. Senior Eric Jacobs, a converted defensive back, takes over at quarterback.
The right-handed Jacobs will rely on Valenzuela for protection when he drops back to pass.
“Josh is the guy that I go to whenever I need anything,” Jacobs said. “If there’s something not right, he always fixes it. He picks up the whole team and he’s a big weight room guy.
“He encouraged me to do more lifting. He never lets anyone slack out there.”
The 6-foot-3, 290-pound Valenzuela combines physical attributes for the position with competitive zeal. Jacobs confirmed Valenzuela calls out audibles and changes in the defensive formations.
“He’s a tough kid who has good feet, good balance and a really good hand punch,” Richards coach Tony Sheehan said. “He’s a great leader who has really taken ownership of his role.
“He organizes and gets everybody else together out there.”
Valenzuela also wrestled at heavyweight and competed in the shot put and discus in track.
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His older brothers played basketball and baseball at Richards. His parents were reluctant to let Valenzuela play football when he was in middle school.
“My older brother was in the military and he recommended I do football,” said Valenzuela, who is an honor-roll student. “My freshman year, I signed up on my own and I came out.
“I just fell in love with the sport. My parents were concerned about the injuries, but they still came out and supported me.”
Being a three-sport athlete has taken a toll on his body, however. He suffered a knee injury last winter during the wrestling season.
Still, the year-round activity with conditioning and strength work have turned into his advantage.
“The mentality is the biggest challenge of being a three-sport athlete,” Valenzuela said. “I like switching between the sports. I think wrestling and football go hand in hand together.
“In wrestling, there’s no one to blame. And I like that same mentality of playing tackle.”
Playing three sports and maintaining top grades doesn’t allow for a lot of other hobbies. One byproduct of his athletic background can be found in his personality, which changes on the field.
“In class or outside of sports, I’m usually really quiet and keep to myself,” Valenzuela said. “On the field, I’m loud and I’m screaming. If that means yelling at teammates, I do that.
“I want the same attention toward me. I want to make sure I’m always doing the right thing.”
Valenzuela has offers from Roosevelt and Indiana Wesleyan, an NAIA program. He also has drawn interest from several NCAA Division III programs. Success is its own cause and effect.
“Not just sports, but everything In life, I’ve always wanted to be the best at what I did,” he said. “I want to win in wrestling and track. I want to be the best in conference and in the state.
“I really push myself.”
Quick hits
Team: Richards.
2025 record: 9-2.
Offensive leaders: Eric Jacobs, senior, quarterback; Jae’dyn Harris, junior, wide receiver; Jordan Lewis, junior, running back; Josh Valenzuela, senior, right tackle.
Defensive leaders: Sincere Harris, senior, defensive lineman; Kahmari Flowers, senior, linebacker; Pierre Ray, junior, defensive back; Naquan Griffin, junior, defensive back.
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X-factor: Amauri Johnson, junior, tight end/linebacker.
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.