**Frankie Alvarez Jr. enrolled in a Texas high school after CIF deemed him ineligible to play here. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)**

SANTA FE SPRINGS – Frankie Alvarez, Jr. just wanted to play high school football. It’s been a long and somewhat winding road for the recently-turned 18-year-old athlete.

However, rules interfered and the road has taken several turns.

This young quarterback may be only 5-9, 160 pounds, but his heart and love for the game are much bigger than that.

He recently returned from Texas where he played his senior year, because he was denied the opportunity to play in California.

With California shutting down high school football last fall and Alvarez deemed ineligible for his senior year at Santa Fe High School due to an obscure CIF rule not many athletic directors or coaches even know about, he seized an opportunity to play one final time in high school.

He played at Mansfield Legacy High School in Mansfield, Texas, and got to play under the famous “Friday Night Lights” in the Lone Star State.

“I had to flip through three high schools and two different states just to play football,” Alvarez said. “It’s crazy.”

Alvarez was hit with not only one but two separate CIF rules that sent his high school years into a tizzy.

The first was a double transfer rule and the second and final blow to his senior year was the eight-semester rule. Both are stated in the CIF Blue Book (rules and guidelines for sports).

However, they are rules that aren’t very well known.

“CIF dropped the ball on this one,” said Santa Fe High School football coach Dave Pierson, regarding the eight-semester rule. “For cases like this, they should be an independent panel on a case-by-case situation.”

After Alvarez graduated from eighth grade at Los Nietos Middle School, he enrolled at Santa Fe, where he began freshman football.

The CIF rule states that a student can’t go past 15 days in school or it will count as a semester. Unfortunately, he was there more than 15 days, as he participated in freshman football for about a month.

Alvarez would then go back to junior high since he didn’t appear ready for high school since he was only 13 at the time. He would enroll at St. John of God in Norwalk.

“When he withdrew from Santa Fe, had the parents been made aware by CIF about the eight-semester rule, I’m sure they wouldn’t have withdrawn him,” Pierson said.

“Looking at the case as an individual case, they (CIF) didn’t look into it in totally,” Pierson added. “He played lower level football and every opportunity I would watch him. Clearly, he was the quarterback for our program and should have been since day one.”

Pierson continued, “If you look at this case as an outsider, in fifth, sixth and seventh grades, teachers mentioned that he was still immature. The school system failed him.

“You’re talking about high school kids just playing the sports, not about the rules in the Blue Book.

“Frankie was thrust into a situation to do whatever he had to do. He’s taking it in stride.”

Assisting Pierson on the football team is Tony Chavarria and he expressed the sadness of the whole situation for the family on the decision.

“You’re talking about parents that wanted to do the best for their boy,” Chavarria said. “What’s mind blowing is that they had no idea of the eight-semester rule when he was at Santa Fe.”

The journey for young Frankie begins in youth football for the Norwalk/Santa Fe Saints and later the 49ers out of Santa Fe Springs. Frankie is still close to his former youth teammates, which includes Matthew Gonzalez.

His parents, Frank and Evelinda Alvarez and their other son, Elias, watched as their young son took on the position of quarterback and ran with it from the beginning. And ran he did.

Frank Sr. remembers one game when he was very young. “Frankie just took off and broke tackle after tackle and ran nearly the length of the field,” said Frank, while showing a video of him.

He’s been running ever since. But the running was interrupted several times at various stops when he got into high school.

This is where the first rule had affected the young man, but it wasn’t discovered until entering his final year of high school.

After his year at St. John of God Junior High, Frankie got a chance to play at St. Paul and entered the highly successful Swordsmen program.

Frankie played in his freshman year and in his sophomore year he played JV and some varsity.

Therein lies the next ruling.

The family decided to transfer Frankie back to his home school of Santa Fe entering his junior year, where he was expected to be the starting quarterback for the Chiefs.

“Frankie was so depressed that he couldn’t play varsity football,” said his mom, Evelinda Alvarez.

Frankie actually didn’t get to play until about halfway through the season that year as the family waited on the transfer rule decision.

The CIF transfer rule came about because his first transfer was from Santa Fe to St. Paul, where he saw minimal time on varsity, which became the first varsity appearance.

Santa Fe would have been the second appearance on varsity and thus the transfer rule (two transfers) would not allow him to play.

The summer prior to his senior year at Santa Fe was the most devastating of all as they found out the findings of the eight-semester rule.

“It was very frustrating and heartbreaking to see our son break down and cry after the decision to not allow him any more eligibility,” Evelinda said. “The three of us were on a Zoom meeting with CIF officials and it felt like they had no sympathy. They kept saying, ‘well, the rules say, the rules say.’ It was really tough to hear that and Frankie’s disappointment.

“The CIF rules say it’s a case-by-case basis and we felt they didn’t acknowledge anything.”

The family decided there was one last opportunity for Frankie to play.

“To be honest, it took about two hours to decide what to do,” Evelinda said.

Evelinda’s parents live in Texas and they made the decision to try and play in their hometown of Mansfield. After some paperwork, it all came to fruition.

“I just wanted to play football,” Frankie said at the time. “My grandma (Margarita Moses-Batson) and grandpa (Edgar Moses-Batson) live there. It was cool. I got to spend more time with that side of my family. I really don’t get to visit them that much.”

Off they went in the car to play at Mansfield Legacy High School.

“He was so excited and just happy he was going to play,” Evelinda said. “When Frank and I found out he was cleared to play, we were jumping up and down and hugging each other.”

After they got settled into her parents’ home, Frank, Sr. was on the plane to the first game.

“He got to be there by my side and watch me do good and cheer me on so I can make him proud,” Frankie said.

Frank Sr. added, “He wasn’t cleared yet to play in the first game, but I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to watch my son play ball. I flew to every game.”

Frankie got into parts of the games and was even punting for the team. He later was named to the second team All-District for punting.

But the big moment came later in the season in a game which Mansfield was losing by a big margin, 62-28.

“I was trying to do my best with less than half the fourth quarter remaining,” Frankie said. “Once I got in the game everyone was cheering my name and I was hyped.”

He did his best all right as he accounted for four TDs, which included three passing and one running touchdown to close the gap and eventually lost, 69-56.

“The team was pumped up when Frankie went in and even the crowd was chanting his nickname, Hollywood, Hollywood,” she said.

“I didn’t even know how I did it,” Frankie said. “I was feeling like it was the greatest of all. It was awesome.

“It was crazy playing in Texas. Everybody wants to go see every game. It’s a big event and in a big stadium and almost packed. I got a little nervous and it was the biggest crowd I ever played in. It was a cool experience.”

To top it off, Frankie wasn’t done with football just yet.

With California high school football still shut down and club football starting to gather steam, Frankie had an opportunity to play once again. He was approached by a team from Fullerton coached by La Habra assistant football coach, Robert Atanay.

He tried out and made the team, which is part of a new organization called the Winners Circle Athletics. Dozens of teams have been playing every weekend for the past five weeks out in Chino in a converted former cow pasture.

“They saw his abilities and gave him an opportunity and saw his highlights on Hudl,” Frank Sr. said. “It’s a blessing We knew he had nothing. It broke his heart to not play after the CIF ruling.”

However, hundreds of high school players from all over Southern California and even from Arizona have been given the opportunity to play the game they have missed.

Asked if he thought he’d still be playing four years later after all that he has been through, he said, “I would have never thought I would have been playing here,” Frankie said. “This is so wild.

“The coach reached out to me and asked if I wanted to be on the team. I said, ‘Yeah, I have nothing to do and I’ll play on the team.’ I’m blessed that they reached out to me. This is a great experience with a lot of talent here.”

Frankie also plays on another club team, the Long Beach Blackhawks.

“It’s more exposure for colleges to see how you’re playing with these Club teams.

“Now I have another chance right here. I’m so happy they made this (club football) so you get more exposure.”

Frank Sr. summed up the long and winding road his son has taken: “It’s been a fun ride,” he said. “It’s emotional and a lot of stress, but when this is all over, it’ll be worth every minute.”

Frankie also summed up his long road: “If I don’t ever play again, I feel satisfied. My mom and dad have sacrificed everything they can for me to get this experience and opportunity to play. I’m blessed that I have them.

“I would have never thought that I would have gone all through this stuff. There were so many twists and turns and I thought I would play at just one high school (Santa Fe). I’m glad I’m here now playing next to a shooting range. Crazy.”

Somehow, Frankie will find a way to keep playing.

What they said:

Evelinda Alvarez, mom: “Frankie was so happy to see his dad to watch him play in Texas. Frankie’s outlook on life is grateful. He’s very humble and has changed for the better.

In the game in Texas, you could see the joy in Frankie.”

Tony Chavarria – Santa Fe Assistant football coach: “My whole take on this whole thing was his parents were trying to do what was best for their kid. Frankie was always just doing what he was told.

“What really gets under my skin is the reason for this eight-semester rule. Unfortunately, the victim is Frankie. They (CIF) just should have made a decision to just let him play.

“The crazy thing about that rule after they went through the appeal, they (CIF) said, ‘it’s the parents responsibility to know the rule.’

“He would have been our starting quarterback as a junior. He just has the knack for the game. He plays above his shoulders.”

Nicholas Vargas – Offensive lineman, Downey High: “I know he wanted to play at home at Santa Fe with everybody. It’s rough, CIF, man. I really respect Frankie for going to Texas and playing out here (Club football). Frankie’s my boy. I love blocking for him so he can make that run and so some college can see what he can do. Frankie is a great player. He’ll get some looks for college if he plays in this league in March.”

Note: Vargas has four colleges interested in him: Carthage College (Wisconsin), Lake Erie College (Ohio), Dakota State University (South Dakota) and La Verne University.

Jonathan Fernandez – Wide receiver, Vista Murrieta and Downey high schools: “I believe in Frankie 100 percent. Since we’ve been little he’s always had the biggest dreams. I believe he can do it. He’s just waiting for the opportunity to showcase his skills. At the end of the day it shows his love for the sport. He’s just a dog and a competitor. Just like Pop Warner days, it was me and him. I’m also trying to get to the next level.”

Mando Lopez – Jonathon Fernandez’ step father: “Throughout the years from five years old to now, I’ve seen (Frankie) grow up. He always had it in him. It’s just good to see him pursuing to play on the field. I’ve been lucky enough to coach him through the years. His dedication to play the game and he has the knowledge of the game.

It was heartbreaking about the CIF rule. It wasn’t fair. All he wants to do is play.”

Frank Alvarez – Dad: “I always get nervous for my boy. He’s not a big guy, but he’s competing with monsters out there. That’s where he wants to be. There are probably no nerves on his part. The nerves are all on his parents.”

Darryl Burman – Running back, Santa Fe: “I know he loves the game. He’s been playing since he was a baby. I’ve been playing with him for five years. He did good in Texas. When (Frankie) first told me (about playing in Texas), I said, ‘go for it.’ It was a good opportunity for him. He’s doing great. I love it. He loves the game.”

Robert Atanay, La Habra High Football Asst. coach, Playmakers coach: “The thing about Frankie is he is so dedicated that he has even played in Arizona. He is very gifted and very talented. This (Club team) could be a huge stepping stone that will hopefully give him an opportunity to play at the next level. Like I’ve told all of these kids, if you don’t have the looks now, junior college (Community College) is still a great road to take.

Frankie Alvarez Jr. just wanted to play football

What they said: