Ortiz Takes His Frightful Place Along Rio Mesa’s Monstrous Line

He was born on Halloween, he likes to dress up as Dracula and his nickname is “Monster.”

Indeed, Jess Ortiz, a 6-foot-6, 350-pound senior tackle for Rio Mesa High, is so big, it’s scary.

“I haven’t had cars that big,” said George Contreras, the Rio Mesa coach. “He’s the only guy I’ve ever had that weighed more at the end of the football season than he did at the beginning. He does his fair share of damage at our team meals.”

Ortiz, who turns 17 today, admits to having a monstrous appetite. And he’s not afraid to put away the groceries.

“I just like eating my mom’s home cooking,” he said.

Ortiz, the largest member of an offensive line that averages 256 pounds, is a big reason Rio Mesa is 6-1. The Spartans, who operate a run-oriented Delaware wing-T offense, play at Oxnard on Friday night in a Channel League showdown.

A favorite among teammates and coaches, Ortiz is “just a cuddly ol’ teddy bear,” Contreras said. But he’s a terror in the trenches.

“On the field, I’m pretty mean,” Ortiz said. “Off the field? Not really.”