Presented By
David Hernandez
Central High School. Freshman. Quarterback. Fresno, CA.
Photo contributed by David Hernandez.
Since he started playing football at Polk Elementary in the fifth grade, David Hernandez has been cherishing the memories he made at every level and paying close attention to the lessons he learned along the way.
Learning the game from Fresno coaches such as Philip Hickey and Callan Duffy, Hernandez especially focused on the importance of leadership at an early age.
“They have taught me the true heart of leadership and determination,” the quarterback said.
Hernandez had one of his defining moments in middle school, leading his team back from a 12-point deficit in an early season game.
“My guys had their head down, so I had to step it up and be a leader and I scored our first touchdown of our season and ended the game winning 34-12,” he said.
Those types of moments have developed the young man’s character, teaching him leadership and discipline.
“Being a leader shows how determined you are as a athlete, basically to be a leader not a follower,” Hernandez said.
The varsity quarterback, who looks up to players such as Russell Wilson, is proving his ability to read the defense and to escape the pocket.
With his skills continuing to develop and his GPA currently standing at 3.8, the student-athlete is on track to achieve his goal of earning a scholarship for a Division 1 school.
“My main goal outside of sports would be to make my mom and dad proud! And pursue playing music and focus on having a good work ethic,” said the quarterback, who also plans to study auto mechanics.
Playing at Central High School, which boasts one of the elite football programs in the state, Hernandez said he’s motivated by the pressure of living up to the expectations.
“It does come with a little pressure, but it’s something you can use towards motivation to make you better. I take it as motivation to make me better as a person and athlete,” Hernandez said. “This is the one school I have dreamed of playing for since in elementary and I’m in a position that I’m very proud of and am very excited for the journey to come!”