Gutierrez going "crazy" running for Fairfield

BENTON — Fairfield senior running back Miguel Gutierrez is an unlikely success story.He doesn’t look like an average football player, as he stands only 5-foot-6 and weighs only 170 pounds.“I’m pretty small,” said Gutierrez.Past results on the field also didn’t suggest that Gutierrez would make a great impact as a football player. He rushed for just 252 yards on 55 carries last year for the Falcons.But Gutierrez wasn’t lacking confidence going into his senior season.Instead, he was determined to make his final high school football season memorable.“I always wanted to have a breakout season and go crazy in my final year,” he said. “I wanted to be as good and push myself to be as good as Warren Kaufman from last year.”Kaufman rushed for 816 yards on 190 carries and scored 11 touchdowns last season for Fairfield.Gutierrez certainly has met his expectations and probably surpassed them, as it has been a record-breaking football season for Fairfield’s workhorse running back.Last Friday, in Fairfield’s 56-27 Class 3A sectional quarterfinal win over John Glenn, Gutierrez became the school’s all-time leader in single-season rushing yardage. He rushed for 272 yards on 21 carries and scored four touchdowns, while reaching 1,899 rushing yards and surpassing the single-season school record.The old record was held by Jayme Matthews, who rushed for 1,840 yards in the 1996 season.“It was a trap-right play in the third quarter and it came on a 48-yard touchdown run,” Gutierrez said.“I knew going into the game I was around 210 yards away from breaking the record. “I had the will power to do it and I have to thank my line for helping me reaching the record. I’m excited that it happened.“I’ve heard a lot of people talk about Matthews and how much of a stud he was back in his day. It means a lot to be up there with him. He’s in the Fairfield High School Hall of Fame and the Elkhart Country Hall of Fame.”Gutierrez also shattered another school-record in Fairfield’s 42-28 win over Garrett on October 2nd. He rushed for a single-game school-record of 327 yards and scored five touchdowns against the Railroaders. Matthews had the old-record of 323 in 1996.“It’s all because of the line and the big boys up front,” Gutierrez said.Fairfield football coach Cory Stoner has watched Gutierrez power past opponents in his first full year playing on the varsity. The Falcons standout got some time at fullback last year when the starter was injured in week six.“Miguel is having an amazing senior season,” said Stoner. “He’s spearheading our rushing attack from the fullback position.“He has worked hard on his craft to become a great trap and super belly runner for us. He uses a good mix of patience and power and has a kind of surprising quickness and speed once he gets into the open field.“My favorite part of his running style is that embodies our motto of “4 before 40” mindset when he’s carrying the football. He knows where the play are designed to hit and he knows all we need each play is four yards and he will do what it takes to get those yards.”Stoner also credits the offensive line and assistant coach Adam Tobias for helping Gutierrez achieve eye-popping rushing numbers this year.“Coming into this year that was our question mark,” Stoner said about the offensive line. “Five of the seven position starters from last year graduated. Coach Tobias and that offensive line deserves a ton of credit for our rushing success this season.”Led by Gutierrez, Fairfield is looking to achieve more success rushing this Friday when the 6-4 Falcons host 7-3 Angola at 7 p.m. in a Class 3A sectional semfinal game.During the regular season, the Hornets edged the Falcons, 7-6. In that game, Fairfield’s two-point conversion to win the game failed with :58 left in the contest.“I’m excited to get to play them again,” Gutierrez said about facing Angola. “It will determine who goes to the sectional championship game. They’re physical and disciplined like us and like us they like to run the ball. They’re a really good team and they’ll give it all they got.”Fairfield outgained Angola, 275 yards to 152 in the regular season meeting.“We have to finish drives this Friday,” Gutierrez said. “It was the little things that cost us in that game.”In that contest, Gutierrez rushed for 131 yards on 39 carries. His lone lost fumble this year came against the Hornets, which came at Angola’s 10 with 2:23 left in the game.“I felt I was down,” Gutierrez said about the fumble. “But the ball came out and they got it.”Expect Gutierrez to get a significant amount of carries once again this Friday night. He embraces the heavy usuage.“That’s my favorite thing,” he said. “I feel in the fourth quarter we can wear teams down while being a physical team and running the ball down their throats.”So how does Gutierrez feel the Saturday morning after a game?“I’m honestly sore, but I’m excited to get that soreness,” he said. “That comes with carrying the ball so much. I love carrying the ball and being able to feel that pain.”According to Gutierrez, no serious injuries have come with that pain.“Pretty good,” he said about his health. “I’ve been ready to go every game. The work of Jesus has helped that happen. I give him all the praise.”Gutierrez, who owns a 3.3 grade-point average, hopes to continue to play football in college.“Right now, I’m looking at Franklin College,” Gutierrez said about his future. “If not there, I might go into the military. I would find it pretty fun to play football in the military. Hard work is part of football and the military. I’d be able to do the training and serve my country too. Those life lessons would help me later in life.”Gutierrez has gotten support from his mom (Veronica Trevino), aunt (Monica Trevino) and 17-year old brother (Adrian) at home and away football games.“I’m thankful for them,” Gutierrez said about his family. “They’ve helped me do what I do best on the football field. They’ve taught me how to persevere and that’s been a big plus for me.”Gutierrez was voted one of the team captains this year because of his leadership and play on the field.“I’m really happy for Miguel and the milestones he’s accomplished on the field,” Stoner said.“But what he has done on the field pales in comparison to the growth he has made off the field as a person from his freshman year to his senior year. I’m incredibly proud of him for that.“Life has not been easy at times for him and he could have down a very different path numerous times, but something clicked for him and I couldn’t be happier for him.”