Growing up in Brownsville, JJ Contreras played soccer his whole life; however the Friday night lights always caught his attention.

It wasn't until his sophomore year at Los Fresnos High School that the opportunity arose.

"I remember my head coach, Coach Cantu from Los Fresnos, he came onto the soccer field just asking if anyone wanted to try out for a kicker and I was like I want to try out for a kicker. So I did it, and I made the spot, but at first I was on JV. I think the first two games, my last JV game, I remember was strictly against Calallen," Contreras said.

Contreras took the opportunity and ran with it, becoming one of the most effective kickers in the Rio Grande Valley.

He earned First Team All-District and First Team All-South Texas honors his senior year after going a perfect 44-for-44 on extra points and 7-for-11 on field goal attempts, with the longest one being a 46-yarder.

"And fun fact, my first varsity game was against San Benito, against Fabian. I know, can you believe that? My first kickoff as varsity too, my sophomore year, and then I ended up beating the starting kicker and history from then. Crazy," Contreras said.

Contreras went on to talk about what he remembered most from his time in Los Fresnos.

"Strictly one coach stood out, Coach Pena. He's now at Edinburg Bobcats, that's my guy. I learned how to have faith and what family is, hard work and stuff like that," Contreras said.

That foundation proved vital when the Division 1 level came calling.

Taking the leap from high school to college football meant walking onto a roster with zero guarantees, but for Contreras, the chance to compete was priceless, backed by a promise made to his family.

"Honestly, I was just super thankful to be in the position I was in. Obviously having the PW offer to come over here. I was super, super excited, whether it meant like money, no money, I didn't care. I was just given the opportunity and I was all in," Contreras said. "My dad told me if you're going to be all in, you're all in. So I can't pull out. I'll never quit, I'll never do anything because I'm just going to keep pushing. He told me that and I'm going to keep my word with him."

Contreras appeared in five games in the Vaqueros' inaugural season, making all six extra point attempts, including a career high four against Langston.

"I don't remember too much of that game. I hit the field though, so that was great, that helped me. And just me being on the field and my parents like being there obviously means something to me," Contreras said.

As the Vaqueros head into year two, the expectations are even higher.

"For the team, I expect them to do better than what we did before. But we can't go in with an, 'oh we had a great season last year, it's going to happen again,' that's just not how it works, just keep working," Contreras said.

JJ Contreras is this weeks Made in the 956 Vaqueros Edition.

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