“Way rolls out, looking for a receiver, he throws it downfield…he has a man, and touchdown Blake Frausto!”

This is something that has been heard many Friday nights since senior Blake Frausto has come to Ayala. He is a four year football player, three year varsity athlete, a captain, and a leader for our Bulldogs. 

“It’s been amazing just being part of a family and just always knowing that I have brothers by my side, and always have people like supporting me. I always try to look towards the future, and I always try to be optimistic about the future,” said Frausto.

The locker room of a team is extremely important, and the relationships built can make or break a team. It is important to have positive role models that players can look up to and teach the little things that coaches are sometimes unable to, such as discipline and integrity. No one understands that better than Frausto. On a team heavy with underclassmen, Frausto has stepped up both on and off the field, setting positive examples.

“I would also have to say one of my favorite memories was  just messing around at practice with some of my friends,” said Frausto.

Frausto keeps his upperclassmen in his memory and remembers how they played an important role in his development as an athlete and as a person, so he looks to continue that legacy himself. Many players build a strong bond with their upperclassmen, as they are the ones “showing the ropes” and explaining the ins and outs of competing at varsity level. Frausto is preparing the next “generation” of Ayala athletes for all the success that is to come.

“On the field, he’s very supportive of the guys making plays. Even when you don’t make a great play, he’ll support you. Off the field, he encourages his teammates to get good grades,” said player Maximillian Stine (11).

However, Frausto’s encouraging nature not only applies to school related activities. Varsity player Samuel Encarnado (11) discussed his own personal experience with Frausto that left a significant impact on him.

“One week when my car broke down, Blake was there. He stepped up, picked me up for school every day and dropped me off at home, and he didn’t ask for gas money. He just did it out of his heart,” said Encarnado.

Frausto isn’t just a positive role model, he’s also an elite player. He’s been a starter since his freshman year, starting as receiver on the freshman team, being on junior varsity as a sophomore, and progressing to varsity as both a junior and senior. He has various accomplishments such as having scored a touchdown in SoFi Stadium and going for over 150 yards in a game before.

“Last year, probably La Habra, I had a touchdown, about 175 yards. I was just popping off, just getting open, getting in the end zone. [The] quarterback was throwing some great balls, great protection on the O line. So it was an amazing game,” said Frausto.

 A true testament to his character, when asked about his best game, Frausto doesn’t hesitate to give credit to his quarterback and offensive line for putting him in positions to succeed. This character is important, especially since Frausto wants to play in college. It shows leadership and good character, which are essential.

“I’m planning on attending Citrus College, and I’m going to play football there,” said Frausto.

College football can be a tough environment. Competing for a position, potentially being away from home, learning a new playbook, and playing with new players, it takes a while to get acclimated. But for a natural leader and athlete such as Frausto, it is hard to not be hopeful for a successful collegiate career.