Pictured L-R: Adam and Austin Urena

College Football:

By Brian Reed-Baiotto

It’s not possible for an athlete that stands just 5-foot-8 to start, let alone thrive at quarterback or wide receiver at the collegiate level.

Just ask 99-percent of college scouts and coaches.

But don’t tell that to twin brothers, Adam and Austin Urena.

The Urena brothers are 2020 graduates of Chino Hills High School.

Both Adam and Austin have been lauded for their work ethic and selflessness by their teammates, and the numbers speak for themselves.

Adam Urena’s prep career was as close to irrelevant as it gets.

He went 7-of-14 for 99 yards, including two TD’s and was picked once.

At his size, and with just 14 career pass attempts in four years at the high school level, there wasn’t a chance in hell that Adam Urena would get a chance to play college football.

Or would he?

Urena is lucky enough to play for a man named Brandon Hayashi, who gives everyone an opportunity to earn a spot, and that includes athletes that might not fit the ideal or stereotypical mold of what a college football player is supposed to look like.

And Adam Urena has made Hayashi’s decision to give the 20-year-old lefty a chance look brilliant.

The Owls are 5-0 this season, which is their best start in 17 years.

What makes Adam Urena’s story so Hollywood-like is that a guy who didn’t get a chance to play in high school has already tied the Citrus College career TD mark in just 13 starts.

Urena has 45 TD’s and he’ll likely write his name in the program’s history book this Saturday at Orange Coast College.

In 2022, Adam’s stats are insane.

He’s completed 119-of-175 for 1,354 yards and 21 TD’s.

Urena has a 68-percent completion ratio and hasn’t been picked once.

Urena already has a pair of six-TD passes this season in wins over Grossmont and LA Valley.

And he’s seemingly gotten everyone involved, as Urena has thrown TD passes to nine different receivers, and receptions to 24 of his Owls’ teammates.

Jesse Carmona (16 receptions for 204 yards and a team-high 5 TD catches), Robert Vega (16-226-2), and Arden Napier (9-218-2) have all been huge in both Urena’s and Citrus’ success thus far.

It’s Adam’s twin, Austin, that leads the Owls in catches and receiving yards, but we’ll get to him in just a few.

Perhaps the most endearing part of Adam’s journey is that he holds nothing but appreciation for the Chino Hills coaching staff and said he did get a fair shot to battle for the job.

He also gave most of the credit for his success to his receivers, and especially his lineman, and that list includes Ronnie Mendez, Maximus Tafeaga, Jacob DeLazzaro, Daniel Resendiz, Joseph Gonzalez and Rayaan Shaw.

As mentioned, Urena has a lot of love for Coach Hayashi for giving him an opportunity and fostering a program that is truly all about family.

Adam said he started the 2021 season as the third QB on the Owls depth chart.

But in week one, the No. 2 QB was sick all week, and Urena was told he’d get to lead a drive in the second quarter.

Urena looked good and the job has been his ever since.

Austin Urena actually had a head start over Adam in accumulating experience at the high school level.

At Chino Hills, Austin entered his season senior with just two career catches for 50 yards and no TD’s.

But in 2019, Urena led all Huskies receivers in receptions (51) and receiving yards (631).

Austin’s four TD catches was third to James Murillo (10) and David Espinosa (7).

CHHS finished second in the Baseline League and earned a spot in the second round of the CIF-SS Division 5 playoffs.

Austin and Adam would follow in their big brother’s (Jake Urena) footsteps and head to Glendora to play for the Owls.

After a successful 2019 season in which Jake Urena was fourth in tackles (34), he headed to Portland State and still competes for the Vikings.

In 2021, Austin was second among the Citrus receiving corps with 29 catches and sixth in receiving yards (263).

He had one TD reception during his freshman season.

And just like he did at Chino Hills, Austin’s second year became his time to shine.

In just five games thus far, Austin’s 33 catches and 283 yards surpasses his 2021 totals.

They are also best amongst all Citrus receivers.

Austin’s three TD catches is second to Jesse Carmona, who leads the Owls with five TD’s.

His season highs are nine catches (versus Desert) and 78 receiving yards in the season opener against Chaffey.

Just like Adam, Austin Urena supported the decision Chino Hills made at quarterback, all the while knowing one day that his brother would get a shot to show what he’s made of.

The chip on Austin’s shoulder is something that has inspired him to prove his doubters wrong, and he’s taken a lot of pride in earning the respect of his peers via his work ethic and on-the-field success.

But what makes this kid special is never being satisfied with good.

Austin Urena wants to be great, and hopes to be someone his younger teammates can look to as a guy who goes about his business the right way.

Adam and Austin are huge keys as to why Citrus is 5-0 and has the highest scoring offense in the American Metro Conference.

Along with the receivers mentioned above, the offensive shoutouts should include a pair of running backs.

The Citrus ground game is led by former Rio Hondo Prep star, Jonathan Guerrero, who rushed for more than 3,000 yards for the Kares between 2018-2021.

In 2022, Guerrero has a team-high 222 yards rushing on 58 carries.

Marshon Smith has 45 carries for 202 yards and one TD.

In the second half of the season, it wouldn’t take a Rhodes Scholar to think the Citrus ground game will attempt to pick up their production in TD’s.

While averaging 112 yards per game, the Owls have just two rushing TD’s.

As far as the defensive side of the ball goes, former Ayala star Chandler Carthan leads the way with 34 tackles and 1. 5 sacks.

The heart of the Owls defense also includes Matthew Littlejohn (19 tackles & 1 INT), Cody Stordahl (18 tackles), Jailen Edwards 17 & 2 sacks), Jonathan Calderon (16 & 2 interceptions), Isaiah Loera (16 tackles), Joshua Garcia (14, & 2 sacks), Josh Stills (14), Jacob Cisneros (14 & 1 INT) and the late-great Luke Pruitt, who had 12 tackles and two sacks.

But back to the Urena boys.

Both Adam and Austin say their parents, Cheri and Hector, have supported them and their big brother from day one.

Mr. and Mrs. Urena expect their boys to be better young men and students than anything they achieve on a football field.

And that’s part of the reason the twins both have GPA’s well above the 3.0 mark.

It’s also evident that having success together makes this run at Citrus all the more special.

The relationship they have is second to none, and it helps knowing what to expect when often times they’re lost from view amongst the giants on the field.

And to any four-year programs that want to give a proven commodity a chance, Adam and Austin would love to continue their careers at least two more years.

Lastly, I asked the twins to speak directly to smaller athletes that have been doubted their entire careers because of something they have no control over.

Said Austin Urena: “I would say that at the end of the day, size does not matter. The product you put on the field does. If no one can outwork you, good things will happen and people will see the work you’ve been putting in. There are obviously going to be times where things don’t go your way, and it could be because of your size, but learning to roll with the punches and continue to work will only help you in the future.”

Said Adam Urena: “I’d want to tell them to control what you can. Being known as a hard worker is never a bad thing. I loved playing because of the relationships that I’ve formed with my teammates, and I love how the game of football is like chess with the amount of game planning and counter moves you can do to gain an advantage over the other team. If you know why you love playing the sport, you’ll enjoy the little things even more like going to practice, going to eat with teammates and the chances and opportunities will come in time.”

To view a photo gallery of the Urena’s over time, click on the Facebook link here: Facebook

Quotable:

Citrus running back, Jonathan Guerrero: “Adam and Austin are both great athletes and are the perfect duo. It’s like they both can read each other’s mind when playing. They are both really competitive as they give it their all on the field and do their best to outwork the other person. They both have been grinding in the offseason and it has shown on the field during the games. They’re both great teammates and leaders on and off the field. They both will help you with anything that you ask for and will help you improve your skills as a football player. I see them get extra work in and after practice and helps encourage me to get better. I have a lot of respect for the twins, because despite their size, they are both really great athletes and tough players. You never hear them complain about anything. They get hit hard and get right back up and makes something happen next play.”

Citrus receiver, Jesse Carmona: “The success that Adam and Austin are able to produce weekly doesn’t surprise me at all. They work hard in all aspects of the game, in the classroom during film, the weight room and especially on the field. What makes Austin and Adam successful I feel is just the bond they have. Obviously. they’re twins you know, so that chemistry is amazing, and even with other receivers, we all have great relationships and chemistry with Adam. Everything the twins do is impressive to say the least. but I admire their mental strength in the game the most. They aren’t the biggest physical guys out on the field, but they definitely can be the most precise and key on detail guys, and that’s what makes them so great. Definitely heart over height.”

Citrus receiver, Robert Vega: “The success between Austin and Adam never took me by surprise, not only do they put countless hours into getting extra work on and off the field, but they also make time for friends and family. When having such a great balance between the two, it’s inevitable to have that amount of success.
The main reason as to why they are so successful is plain and simple, Austin and Adam are the people you can count on the most when it comes to getting that extra hour of training after practice. Not only are they super accountable, but they do it with a smile on their face, which makes it that much easier. The things that most impress me about the twins is that from the get go they were super hard working and determined to achieve their set goals. Not only do they work towards said goals, but they don’t run when they are faced with a challenge or even fail. They come back even stronger and make up for it right away. This to me leaves a lasting impression on what kind of people they are, which is what impresses me the most. Lastly, not only are they amazing teammates to have on the field, but they’re even better friends off it.”

Adam Urena’s 2022 Individual Game Stats:
9/3: Citrus 29, Chaffey 26 (28-35 for 328 yards, four TD’s & no picks)
9/10: Citrus 50, Grossmont 14 (22-33 for 276, six TD’s & no picks)
9/17: Citrus 25, Desert 14 (21-29 for 178, three TD’s & no picks)
9/24: Citrus 61, LA Valley 13 (19-25 for 247, six TD’s & no picks)
10/1: Citrus 14, Antelope Valley 10 (29-52 for 325, two TD’s & no picks)

Austin Urena’s 2022 Individual Game Stats:
9/3: Citrus 29, Chaffey 26 (8 catches for 78 yards & 1 TD)
9/10: Citrus 50, Grossmont 14 (6-72 & no TD’s)
9/17: Citrus 25, Desert 14 (9-74 & one TD)
9/24: Citrus 61, LA Valley 13 (2-12 & no TD’s)
10/1: Citrus 14, Antelope Valley 10 (8-45 & one TD)

Adam Urena’s Career Stats at Citrus: 
2022: 119-of-175 for 1,354 yards, 21 TD’s, 0 INT
2021: 184-of-286 for 2,211 yards, 24 TD’s, 7 INT
Totals: 303-of-461 for 3,565 yards, 45 TD’s, 7 INT

Austin Urena’s Career Stats at Citrus:
2022: 33 catches for 281 yards & 3 TD’s
2021: 29 catches for 263 yards & 1 TD
Totals: 62 catches for 544 yards & 4 TD’s

Adam Urena’s Career Stats at Chino Hills:
2019: 7-of-14 for 99 yards, 2 TD’s one INT

Austin Urena’s Career Stats at Chino Hills:
2019: 51 catches for 631 yards and four TD’s
2018: 2 catches 50 yards and no TD’s

2022 Citrus College Schedule-Results:
9/3: Citrus 29, Chaffey 26
9/10: Citrus 50, Grossmont 14
9/17: Citrus 25, Desert 14
9/24: Citrus 61, LA Valley 13
10/1: Citrus 14, Antelope Valley 10
10/15: Citrus at OCC at 1
10/22: Santa Ana at Citrus at 1
10/29: West LA at Citrus
11/5: Citrus at Glendale at 1
11/12: Citrus at LA Southwest at 6

American-Metro Conference Standings:
Citrus (5-0 overall, 0-0 in conference)
Glendale (2-3, 0-0)
West LA (2-3, 0-0)
OCC (1-4, 0-0)
Santa Ana (1-4, 0-0)
LA Southwest (0-5, 0-0)

American Metro Conference Points For & Against:
Citrus (179 for & 77 against)
Glendale (151-131)
West LA (163-167)
OCC (81-155)
Santa Ana (124-173)
LA Southwest (68-287)