MADISON, Ala. — James Clemens quarterback Gio Lopez was sensational last Friday night. He threw for 353 passing yards and scored three total touchdowns in the Jets 41-17 region win over Sparkman.
"I just get in a rhythm," says Gio Lopez. "I have a ritual, I just drink a C4 and eat a Twix before every game. So, that's what I do."
It was a huge win for James Clemens, who evened their region record to 2 and 2. If you throw out tiebreakers, it ties them for the final playoff spot out of 7A region 4 with three games left to play.
"I feel pretty confident about how we've been playing lately," says Lopez. "So it's really just on to the next game because even with these last three games, we still got to win out and still make playoffs anyways."
For Lopez's effort in the victory over the Senators, he has been named the First Down Friday Night MVP of the Week, which is brought to you by Whataburger. Lopez has also earned high praise from his head coach.
"'Well he can take over the game, that's for sure, that's what he did," says Chad McGehee. "He controlled the game. When he does that, it gives us a lot of opportunity. He's so special in extending plays with his legs and being able to work off of things that break down, that lead to big plays"
After high school the senior will take his talents to the division one FBS level at University of South Alabama.
He will be a quarterback for the Jaguars and Lopez is now trying to savor his final moments with his high school team.
"It's just fun. You know, I know when you go to college it turns into a business, really," says Gio Lopez. "So right now I'm just enjoying practice, enjoying waking up at six in the morning just to do a workout with my best friends. So it's really just something I'm trying to enjoy every game so far because I know I only got a good bit left and then I'm off to business plans."