2008 Matt Mendez - Air Force NCAA I

[TEAM FALCON]

www.rgvsports.com/articles/mendez_4229___article.html/program_kids.html

Los Fresnos' Mendez signs with Air Force
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April 1, 2009 - 4:04 PM
Louie Vera
RGVSports.com

Los Fresnos senior defensive end Matt Mendez is done playing football for the Falcons.

But later this fall he'll still be wearing a falcon on his helmet.

Mendez will continue his football career with the Air Force Academy Falcons, as he signed his letter of intent Wednesday morning at Los Fresnos.

"I'm going to be a Falcon for the rest of my life," Mendez said. "I'm very blessed to have played under coach (Scott) Ford, and it's a really good program and community. We have a lot of fans and support, so to play at the next level is an honor. Not a lot of people can say they get to this level, and if it hadn't been for these coaches I don't think this happens."

Mendez was an all-district first-team selection as a junior and senior for District 32-5A and also earned academic all-state honors during his final campaign.

Ford said Mendez was tried at different positions as in ninth grade but eventually settled into the defensive line, helping the Falcons to three-straight district championships.

"He's come a long way," he said. "As a freshman we tried him at receiver, quarterback, and he's a big, tall kid. He was real thin back then, but through hard work in the weight room he's been real consistent. I don't think he missed a day in the weight room. He built his body up to be a legitimate 5A defensive lineman for us."

His career numbers are 16 sacks, 101 total tackles (16 for loss) and four caused fumbles.

Mendez is the fifth Falcons player to head to the NCAA Division I level, which includes Kansas' Justin Springer, UTEP's Jeremy Springer and Eloy Atkinson, and Louisville's Mario Benavides.

"A lot of our kids that come back, we take it as a big compliment when a young men compliments the program," Ford said. "It's also the biggest compliment you can get as a coach. Kids like Matt Mendez make the program. It's not the program that makes kids like Matt. It's the kids like him that have built the program to where it is at."

Louie Vera covers District 32-5A football for Valley Freedom Newspapers. He can be reached at [phone] or via e-mail at [e-mail].

[Morocco/USA]

wow this is great, Falcons are definitely the best.

[TEAM FALCON]

Sept 01, 2009

Matthew Mendez has entered Basic Cadet Training at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo., in preparation to enter the first academic year at the academy. The six-week, two-phased orientation program must be successfully completed by the cadets prior to entering their freshman year. The training prepares men and women to meet the rigorous mental and physical challenges experienced by new cadets.

Phase one involves personal in-processing, orientation, and training in the fundamentals of being a cadet. Cadet trainees are prepared to adjust from civilian to military life and disciplines, and learn proper wear of the uniform, saluting policies and procedures, drill and ceremony, marching, and living quarters standards.

During phase two, cadets train outdoors living in tents while learning to function in field conditions. Cadets apply and practice team work, cohesion and learn to deal with physically and mentally demanding situations. They complete the obstacle, confidence, assault, and leadership reaction courses, and participate in a rescue mission termed Operation Warrior.

He is the son of Jesus Mendez of E. Ninth St., Los Fresnos, Texas.

Mendez is a 2009 graduate of Los Fresnos High School.