Multi-talented athlete catapults Indians into NJSIAA Group I playoffs
When Danny Lopez first enrolled at Weehawken High School, he joined the soccer team. After all, Lopez’ father, Jose, had been a standout goalkeeper at St. Peter’s College during his playing days. Jose Lopez would always take his son to North Hudson Braddock Park to play soccer.
"I’ve always been around the game of soccer," Lopez said. "My family’s background is in soccer. Whenever my Dad and I went to the park, that’s what we played."
But as a youngster, Lopez was also a standout performer in the Weehawken Recreation Youth Football program.
"When I was playing football, I was also playing soccer," Lopez said.
So when it came time to play one sport in high school, Lopez made a tough decision and played soccer, as a tribute to his father. He played center midfield for two years with the Indians, scoring nine goals and adding 17 assists as a sophomore with the varsity.
"Because of my size, I thought soccer was probably better for me," Lopez said. "When I first came into high school, I thought about football or soccer and I chose soccer."
However, after two years of playing soccer, Lopez was ready for a change.
"[Head football] Coach [Anthony] Stratton was very persuasive in asking me to play football," Lopez said. "I didn’t want to leave Coach [Tim] Gordon [the Weehawken soccer coach], so it was going to be a tough decision for me. I went to Coach Gordon and asked him what I should do. He let me make the decision and told me that he wouldn’t be mad if I chose football. But if Coach Stratton never approached me, I never would have left soccer."
So Lopez decided to pursue a berth on the Weehawken football team a year ago.
"I really didn’t know if I would do well," Lopez said. "I had no idea."
Lopez already had established himself as a diversified athlete. He was a member of the varsity basketball team, playing point guard, but it is on the baseball diamond where Lopez had really excelled, earning All-State honors as both a sophomore and a junior as an outfielder.
But football was a big question mark.
However, Stratton knew that Lopez could play.
"The only question was his loyalty to Tim Gordon," Stratton said. "I always knew that he was a good football player in Pop Warner. I knew Danny was interested in playing football, so I told him that if it was fine with Coach Gordon, then it was fine with me. But I never knew how good Danny could be."
As a junior, Lopez had a stellar season, collecting 1,342 all-purpose (rushing, receiving and kick returns) yards and scoring 14 touchdowns.
But that pales in comparison to what Lopez has comprised as a senior this fall.
Lopez has retained that versatility with the Indians, lining up as a running back and receiver on offense, as well as playing defensive back. Lopez is also the Indians’ punter and place kicker and handles all of the Indians’ kick returning duties.
Last weekend, while the Indians were battling for an NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2, Group I playoff berth against Harrison, Lopez put together one of the finest all-around performances in the history of Hudson County football.
Lopez did everything and some more for the Indians, helping Weehawken clinch its second-ever state playoff berth.
Here’s a litany of what Lopez’ achievements:
- Rushed for 211 yards on just 11 carries and scored two touchdowns of 50 and 35 yards.
- Had a 55-yard punt return for a touchdown and returned another punt for 40 yards.
- Had a 50-yard interception return for another touchdown.
- Returned a kickoff 85 yards for an apparent touchdown, only to lose the score to a penalty.
- Kicked a 28-yard field goal and added four point-after-touchdown (PAT) kicks.
- Made nine tackles from the defensive secondary.
- Caught two passes for 17 yards.
That’s not a game. That’s a career. But Lopez accomplished all of that in Weehawken’s 37-14 victory, the one that put the Indians into the state playoffs and this weekend’s first round showdown with Ridgefield Park.
For his efforts, Lopez has been selected as The Hudson Reporter Athlete of the Week for the past week.
After the game was over, Stratton started to watch the films of the game against Harrison and he couldn’t comprehend what he was watching.
"It was unbelievable," Stratton said. "I told Danny after the game that I had been waiting for a game like that all year."
A game of that magnitude? It’s a game never before seen in Hudson County annals, much less Weehawken.
"Watching the film and doing the stats, I was really amazed," Stratton said. "It was mind-boggling. But I have been waiting for a big game like that from Danny for a full year. I knew that it was coming. He’s that talented. I knew we had a game where we had to win and Danny would come up big."
Added Stratton, "It’s great to sit back and watch the kid play. All the other kids ask him, ‘Danny, how did you do that?’ And he’s such a great kid that he takes it all in stride. He’s mature beyond his years. He has loyalty to his teammates, treats everyone with respect, and is totally unselfish. He’s become a great football player. I knew he was talented, but I had no clue he would become this good."
Neither did Lopez.
"I didn’t think it would happen," Lopez said. "When I started out playing football, it was only on defense. But then, I started getting the ball in my hands and things just happened. I guess it was just meant to be."
Lopez was amazed after he realized all he accomplished last Friday night.
"It all just sort of happened, one after the other," Lopez said. "I had about three carries where I did nothing and then, boom, it just started happening. It happened so fast that I didn’t even have time to realize what was happening. I just kept going. It was one of those games that everything goes your way. After it was over, I figured it was just my time."
Added Lopez, "It really is incredible. It’s only my second year of playing football and now, I’m getting a chance to go to the state playoffs. It’s pretty exciting."
While Lopez is enjoying his football success, he knows that his future is in baseball, where he’s already received plenty of attention and accolades. He has already received one scholarship offer to play baseball, but will consider others before making a final decision on where he goes – as well as what sport he plays.
"I’m always open to suggestions," said Lopez, who is also a fine student. "I could play football, baseball, even soccer. As long as I play something. I’ll see what other offers are out there before I make a choice."
"When I talk to him, Danny says he’d like to play football and baseball in college," Stratton said. "But we’ll have to see. He’s a [NCAA] Division I baseball player, no question. I think he could do whatever he wants in college. Danny is the kind of kid who makes everyone around him better."
Does Lopez realize what he’s been able to accomplish on the high school level? Playing four sports (soccer, football, baseball and basketball) and achieving so much?
"Now, I think I’m starting to see the things I’ve done," Lopez said. "It’s pretty amazing."
But has his father accepted the fact that Danny is a football star?
"Nah," Lopez says with a laugh. "He’d still rather go to the soccer games." – Jim Hague