You can’t spell Grizzly without Izzy

Many of you may know the big man on campus, but in case you don’t, his name is Israel Villegas, or as everyone knows him, Izzy. 

If you don’t know him, just step outside during class hours, and chances are you’ll see him roaming the halls.

Coach David Ramirez, who is also a campus supervisor at Granite Hills, sees Izzy all the time. 

“Izzy’s out just as much as the supervisors,” Ramirez said. “At this point, that kid should be handed an iPad and a walkie.”

Izzy is a senior at Granite Hills High School and has been involved in several sports, playing football, basketball, and competing in track. As Izzy’s senior year winds down, he is reminded of why he participates in three sports. 

“I like doing these sports because I like staying involved. It’s fun to hang out with all of my friends,” he said. 

While playing these sports, Izzy made friendships that’ll last a lifetime. Some friends mentioned were Cruz Campos, Elijah Green, Armando Robledo, Clayton Taylor, Joseph Magaña, Angel Hinojosa, and Xavier Fernandez. They had a big impact on Izzy’s life, while also sharing the spotlight.

Izzy has played football all four years of high school and is a three-year letterman in football. He was a left tackle and nose guard for the team. Villegas said that his role during the season was to be a leader and help guide his teammates so they all could succeed. Something he says he will miss about football is the memories they created together.

It wasn’t easy getting to that point, though. Football coach Carl Scudder said that Izzy went out for mini camp for one day before his freshman year of high school started and never returned after that. 

“He came out during mini camp, players call it Hell Week, he came out one day, and we didn’t see him again,” Scudder said. “Until school started and I went and found him and brought him back to the football team.”

Izzy joined the team and never looked back, helping turn the program at Granite Hills around and making the playoffs twice.

“My favorite memory is when we won our first playoff game my junior year because we made history, and it was my greatest achievement,” Izzy said.

There was no time to rest for Izzy, as soon as his time on the football field was up, because he was already ready to hit the basketball court. 

Izzy was a center on the basketball team. He enjoyed being able to share the court with the rest of his teammates. He played a big part on his team by always being motivational and bringing the hype to the team. Villegas said that his proudest moment with his team was when they went to the Valley championship game as a junior.

“My favorite memory was probably my junior year when we went to the finals. It sucks that we didn’t win, but it was a cool experience,” he said. 

Like most other people, Granite Hills boys basketball coach Bud Luther had nothing but nice things to say about Izzy. 

 “Izzy’s the heart of the team. Everybody loves Izzy – great energy, excited, happy, and always brings a good vibe,” he said.

After competing on the field and on the court, Izzy takes his strength to the track and field team. During the season, Izzy competes as a shot putter and discus thrower. Last year, he ran the big man race as an anchor and placed fourth. Izzy hopes to run it again this year as well. 

“Running the big man race was fun, it was a good experience, I got to run with my friends, but I was tired after,” he said.

Scudder is also Izzy’s track coach.

“He was our best shot put thrower last year,” Scudder said. “ I expect with another year of experience this year, I think he can be top one or two in shot put and top one or two in discus – a natural athlete”.

A couple of Izzy’s friends and teammates share what makes him special.

“My favorite memory from football is his energy and the way I would run behind his blocks,” Fernandez said. “The thing I am going to miss most is being able to play with a big role model like that in my life.”

“My favorite memory was during the summer when we would go out and grind, and we would do all of our workouts together, and pushing each other to the next level is what got us better,” Taylor said.

With graduation around the corner, Izzy is still trying to figure out what he wants to do after high school. In the meantime, he leaves you with some wisdom.

“And what’s small turned to a friendship, a friendship turned to a bond, and that bond’ll never be broken, the love will never get lost.” – Wiz Khalifa