Last week, when lining up for the 32-yard field goal, Odessa High senior kicker Aidric Rivera had been in a similar situation before.
It was the last play of the game at Schertz Clemens with the score tied at 28 and it was time for another clutch moment from the senior.
Rivera wouldn’t let his teammates down, drilling the kick and giving the Bronchos a 31-28 win over the Buffaloes in Odessa High’s last nondistrict game.
Just less than a month earlier, Rivera had made a 37-yard attempt in the closing seconds to gift the Bronchos a 22-20 victory against El Paso Americas on the road.
There was also his extra-point against Amarillo High that put the Bronchos ahead 36-35 on Sept. 15 late in the game.
Back in last week’s win in Schertz, Rivera had an inkling that he was going to be needed to make the kick in the game’s final moments.
“I had a feeling it was going to come,” Rivera said. “It was just a feeling that I get when I know it’s coming. When I saw that we were close, my coaches told me to go in. I was confident and it went right through the middle.”
However, while on the long bus ride to the game, he didn’t think it was going to come down to him, even though his teammates and coaches tried to convince him otherwise.
“They were telling me that it was going to come down to it but I didn’t think it was going to come to me until the last minute,” Rivera said.
So far, he’s been perfect in clutch moments for the Bronchos this season.
Last season, Rivera never had the opportunity to win a game for the Bronchos as he only did kickoffs.
But he was always hoping to have the opportunity to make a winning field goal this season.
“I imagined it a couple of times,” Rivera said. “I would day dream about it and it finally happened. Hopefully it just keeps happening so I can help out my team.”
In his first game-winner against Americas, Rivera was nervous because it was his first chance at clinching the game.
In last week’s win, he was more confident when he took the field for the final try.
Odessa High head coach Dusty Ortiz was confident Rivera would make it.
“He’s had two big field goals at the end of the games,” Ortiz said. “He also had the extra point against Amarillo which put us over the top. He’s been clutch for us. He’s been a great surprise. I think we underestimate him because his range was about 20 yards and it’s actually about closer to 40. He’s gaining confidence every single day. We know he can come through in tight situations.”
Rivera’s also plays as a forward for the Odessa High soccer team.
He’s hoping to play at the next level, either in football or soccer.
“Wherever I get a scholarship, that’s where I’m going,” Rivera said.
His goals are the same, regardless of which sport he’s playing.
“On the soccer field, my goal is to win district and go to playoffs,” Rivera said. “For football, my goal is to also win district and beat Permian.”
The Bronchos (3-1) are currently in a bye week before beginning District 2-6A play next week against crosstown rivals Permian (3-2) in a 7 p.m. contest Oct. 6 at Ratliff Stadium.
Rivera and his teammates are feeling good going into next week’s rivalry showdown.
“I feel like the team is really confident,” Rivera said. “I feel like the team is not taking a break because we’re still working but we’re bonding pretty well. I feel like it’s good to have a bye before playing Permian.”
If need be, the Bronchos will be ready to call on Rivera if they need him to make the kick, even if it’s slightly out of his range.
“I think we’re confident in him kicking a 40-yarder,” Ortiz said. “Forty yards is his max but who knows. If we throw him out there, we’re confident he can make it.”
