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MISSION — Tom Landry Stadium has felt like a different place this season. Unlike in recent years, there’s been a tense yet exciting feeling around this year’s Mission High Eagles team, with expectations moving from just a playoff berth to something more, something more memorable.

Perhaps no player symbolizes that excitement more than wide receiver/defensive back Joaquin Rios. On one of the Valley’s fastest teams, Rios’ speed and playmaking ability stands out.

As a member of the Eagles defense, the top group in District 32-4A, Rios was one of the leaders of the backfield, intercepting one pass and making 110 tackles. When he’s playing defense, teams have to figure out where he is at all times, because his speed makes him a threat to pick off any deep pass.

On offense, despite getting limited touches because of both his defensive duties and the Eagles’ offensive depth, Rios has 15 touchdowns. Two of them came in last week’s 30-27 bi-district win over Alice, helping the Eagles recover from an early 20-6 deficit.

And despite his quiet disposition, the attention No. 10 draws on the field is something he relishes.

“It feels good to be on the field because anything can happen,” Rios said. “It just feels good for people to know who you are. If they expect things from me, that’s even better.”

So far, Rios has lived up to what Eagles coaches have expected of him.

They expected him to mature into one of the team’s leaders, which he’s done. They expected him to become one of the Valley’s most explosive multi-purpose players, something he’s also done.

When he was first took control of the Eagles program, coach Mario Peña was said to have inherited one of District 32-4A’s most talented teams. A big reason for that sentiment was Rios, whose production Peña has recognized.

“From the onset I knew we were going to use him in all phases of the game, offensively, defensively and special teams,” Peña said, adding that he has nominated Rios for an academic all-state award. “Our expectations we’re high and definitely we have not disappointed. He’s a tremendous, tremendous young man, both on and off the field.”

Because of Rios’ natural ability, there’s an obvious temptation to try to get him the ball at all times. It’s a temptation the Eagles haven’t succumbed to, though they know what kind of player they have in Rios and know he’s available when they need him.

He also seems like the kind of person Peña or other coaches like to have on their team.

“That would be the kind of kid you’d want your daughter to marry,” Peña said. “That’s how good a young man Joaquin Rios is.”

Brian Sandalow covers District 32-4A football for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4436 or via e-mail at bsandalow@themonitor.com.