Photo Courtesy of Washington Demon High School Football

Standing 5’9 and weighing 168 pounds, senior Alex Gonzalez doesn’t look like an imposing threat along the Demon defensive line.Yet the undersized starting defensive end for the Washington Demons lets his play do all the talking. Through six games this season, Gonzalez is third on the team in total tackles with 34.5 tackles, six behind the line of scrimmage. Head football coach Garrison Carter says Gonzalez is hands down the hardest working person on the field, and could be the hardest working player he has ever coached.

“In the summer we offer two weight lifting sessions, he is the first one there at 5:30 a.m.” Carter said, “He is the last one to leave after the second (session). He stays after and wants to do the extra conditioning with both groups.”

Carter adds despite his small stature for the position, Gonzalez has proved to be unblockable and has done a lot of good things for the Demon defense this season.

Gonzalez says he isn’t bothered by the size of the opposing offensive linemen.

“I don’t try to think about how much heavier they are, I just try to out run them or not really let them touch me.” Gonzalez said, “I just go out there and try to do what I can do for the team.”

On top of his on field achievements, Gonzalez was named Washington High School’s Homecoming King last week in a vote of his peers. He says he was surprised by the recognition.

“Made me realize that a lot of people stand behind me, think about me, and know me .” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez and the Demons will hit the road this week as they will battle the Keokuk Chiefs in a district showdown. You can catch all of the action beginning with the Washington Hy-Vee Pregame Show at 7 p.m. on FM 106.1 and online at KCIIradio.com.