High School Sports
SPSL North: Auburn QB Alex Valdes winning with attitude

By Sandy Ringer
Seattle Times staff reporter

JIM BATES / THE SEATTLE TIMES At only 5 feet 11 and 155 pounds, Alex Valdes is slightly built. But the elusive Auburn quarterback, a second-team All-SPSL North selection last year, is tough to tackle.

E-mail this article Print this article Search archive Most read articles Most e-mailed articles

AUBURN — Alex Valdes walks with a slight swagger. He wears his cap cocked to one side.

The Auburn quarterback oozes a confidence that borders on cockiness, an attitude that says: Bring it on.

And not just when he's playing football. Valdes has matured a great deal over the past year, according to those who know him. But he has not entirely outgrown the reputation as a young man who sometimes straddles the fence between right and wrong.

"He's kind of walked that edge, especially with some of his friends," said his mother, who raised Alex by herself. "He's had to make some choices and I've seen him make good ones and I've seen him make some bad ones."

Football has made it easier to make the good ones, according to coach Gordon Elliott.

"Football is very important to him," Elliott said. "He's not going to do something that would jeopardize that."

Valdes agrees, although he downplays past temptations and displays a sense of loyalty to those around him.

"I still have my same group of friends," he said. "I've just learned not to be involved with some of the things they do. I've never really gotten into a lot of trouble. I've always been a pretty decent kid."

Valdes was more than a decent quarterback last season, guiding the Trojans to a district playoff berth and being named to the All-SPSL North second team. This year, with Auburn a slight favorite to win the division, he has heavy expectations heaped upon his slight frame. The 5-foot-11 Valdes weighs just 155 pounds. But he plays with the mentality of a linebacker and takes a hit like a prize fighter.
 
"He'll take a big hit and pop up from it like it's nothing," said teammate Justin Strickland, a two-way starter at offensive line and linebacker.

Often, though, hitting Valdes is the hard part. He can be as elusive as he is hard-nosed.

"He's real squirrelly," said Kael Johnson, a two-way starter at tight end and linebacker. "He slips every tackle."

Valdes showed that slippery nature last year against Kentlake, turning a near-sack into a long run that set up the winning touchdown in the second overtime as Auburn handed the Falcons their only league loss.

"He's a big-play type of kid," Elliott said.

Valdes knows he has to trust his legs as much as his arm.

"I feel I can make a play with my legs," he said. "If anything breaks down, I feel I can run out of it and make something happen."

Valdes relishes his leadership role and responsibilities that come with playing quarterback.

"I'd rather have it on my shoulders than anybody else's," he said. "I feel confident in my ability to lead the team and be successful."

That attitude showed early.

"He's always been really independent and strong-willed," his mother said. "When he sets his mind on something, that's the way it's going to be."

Sometimes, those qualities mask his softer side.

"He's got a great heart, but he never lets anybody know it," Patti said.

Valdes is also a talented basketball and baseball player, but football became his favorite once he reached high school.

"Football has pretty much been my life since then," he said. "As soon as the season's over, I can't wait for it to start again."

Valdes is especially excited about the start of this season — a showdown with perennial-power Kentwood tomorrow night at Auburn Memorial Stadium. The bigger the challenge, the better.

"I've been looking forward to this since last November," he said.

Sandy Ringer: 206-718-1512 or sringer@seattletimes.com