Photo by Carlo Montalbo (@Carlo.Montalbo on Instagram)

Football:

Marko Luera is going to put his fingers into the turf on Friday night for the 45th consecutive time as a member of the Glendora High School offensive line.

In the last four years, no one has more starts than Luera.

And no one could.

You see, Luera hasn’t missed a single game for the program he loves.

It’s not easy to write stories about offensive lineman for a number of reasons.

First of all, almost everyone at a football game, including those of us in the media, follow the football and those who carry, catch or throw it.

Secondly, there isn’t a way to keep stats for members of the offensive line, other than maybe holds and false starts.

However, even Patrick Mahomes, Derrick Henry and Justin Jefferson couldn’t be the superstars they’ve become without the support and protection of their offensive lineman.

And on a much smaller level, no high school quarterback or running back with a scintilla of humility will talk about their own success without crediting those who pick up the bruises and open the path in front of them.

Luera also spends some of his time on the Tartans defensive line in goal-line situations.

While athletes leave schools all too often for what they perceive as greener pastures these days, Luera was committed far before he became a student at Glendora High School.

“I love the tradition at Glendora,” he said. “Staying home was the best decision I have ever made. I have grown up around Glendora football. I was a ball boy for three years before coming to our high school, so I got to watch guys like Jacob Gonzalez, Cade Marshman and other guys. I wanted to carry on what they brought to Glendora.”

GHS has gone 27-17 over the last four years, including a 10-4 mark in league games.

Luera’s prep career couldn’t have started any better.

Literally.

In 2021, for the first time in program history, Glendora went 10-0 in the regular season.

After its 35-14 victory over Downey in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 3 playoffs, it marked the first 11-0 start in school history.

The Tartans fell at Apple Valley the next week, 17-15, to a Sun Devils program that made a title-game appearance that year.

The o-line helped Braydon Brus rush for nearly 1,000 yards and 17 TDs, as well as Jake Denerson throwing for 1,300 yards and 13 TDs.

That year, the Tartans offense averaged approximately 300 yards per game, and their defense carried the program by surrendering just 107 points in 12 games.

Since he’s seen a number of studs over the last four years, I asked Luera to name a few of his teammates that he considered legit game changers.

“Braydon Brus is the best player I’ve watched in person,” Luera said. “His ability to just take over a game was crazy. Decker DeGraaf is someone that I’ve known since I was a little kid, so I was so happy he came to Glendora during his sophomore year. This year, playing with one of my oldest friends in Austin (Coronado) has been really fun. Lastly, the most two impactful teammates that helped me the most are Connor Meholovitch and David Mason. Those two linemen taught me a lot and how to lead the way I do today.”

There is much more to Marko Luera than what this 6-foot-3, 280-pound athlete does on a football field.

Luera’s parents, Mark and Katie, attended Rosemead and Arcadia High schools, respectively.

Marko and his little sister Milana, however, are Glendora lifers.

Mr. and Mrs. Luera are well known for their support of all GHS programs and raising two terrific children.

Just like her big brother, Milana Luera has been a contributor since day once.

Milana has been on Adam Nunemaker’s highly successful girls’ varsity basketball program, and she’ll begin her junior season as one of the team captains on November 18th in the season opener against San Marino.

She was also a key member of Greg Bidoli’s flag football program, which went 9-6 in their inaugural season.

In the second game in program history, Luera caught seven passes from freshman Rylee Franks, including four that went for TDs to help lead GHS to a 24-12 victory at Covina.

Her big brother is known for his character, empathy, loyalty and support among those who walk the Glendora campus.

Marko Luera is also a respected presence on campus by GHS administrators.

He isn’t proud of this and doesn’t want it mentioned.

But one time he saw a smaller student being picked on, and let’s just say the aggressor realized he shouldn’t ever do that again.

Luera is also an ASB Vice President, and he organizes the ‘Dog Pound’ otherwise known as the student section at basketball games and volleyball matches.

He doesn’t have any college offers yet, but Luera’s desire to continue his football career at the collegiate level is very high.

Marko said his favorite teacher at GHS over the last four years is Thomas Johnson.

“Mr. Johnson made me enjoy history and he would throw aside teaching for a minute just to have a cool conversation with you. We would always talk about music and what I was listening to since we have the same taste in music.”

If it’s crossed your mind that Marko Luera is old-school in his values and tastes, it’s because he is.

Luera is all about family, working hard for one’s desires and treating people with the respect one would wish to receive.

His musical playlist includes, as he put it, “old-school rock music. It’s what I grew up with. My dad has a million records in the garage, so I can go back there and listen to whomever I want daily.”

His favorites include Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Rod Stewart and the Eagles.

While Luera is a solid young man, and a loyal friend, he certainly has his flaws, perhaps none more so than a strong preference for hearing David Lee Roth in Van Halen over the great Sammy Hagar.

But in all seriousness, Mark and Katie Luera did a terrific job and they should be very proud.

Marko wanted to make sure his fellow lineman got their shine as well.

That list includes Nick Gonzalez at left tackle, Chase Montgomery at left guard, center, Issac Gomez, and right tackle, Ryan Benschop.

Lastly, I asked Luera what his favorite individual and team moments have been over the last four years, what his dream job would be, something he admires about both of his parents, if it bothers him that offensive lineman don’t get enough credit and how he hopes to be remembered by his younger teammates.

Said Marko Luera: “One of my favorite moments over the past four years is going undefeated my freshman year and beating Downey in the first round of the playoffs. My favorite individual moment during the past four years is becoming an all-state lineman last year. My favorite memory of this season is playing against my cousin Alex Medyn at Chino Hills. My dream job would be a football coach or a strength coach. I want to help future athletes get better at the game of football.

My mom is the hardest working person I know. She is always doing something to try and provide for our family every single day. She will never just sit down and relax with us. My father is the man I can always count on to talk to about the hard things. One of the things I admire about him is that he is not afraid to speak his opinion loudly and is not ashamed of it.

It is hard as an o-lineman or an o-line group to only get noticed in film when you make a mistake, but not when we work together as one group and have long running drives. I do think lineman are starting to get valued more over the last couple of years, but they’re rarely talked about in the media. I’ve never tried to make pancake blocks to get noticed. I just try and make the blocks that help win football games.

I just hope they remember me as someone who was all about our team’s success, since that’s what I remember of the guys from my undefeated year like Braydon. All he wanted to do was win, and he would do anything to win the game.”

Up next: GHS travels to Agoura on Friday in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 6 playoffs.

The Chargers (9-1) are the Tri-County League champions, and they enter the contest on a seven-game win streak.

Calpreps has listed Agoura as a three-point favorite.

Quotable:

Glendora principal, Jamie Norell: “I have watched Marko since his days as a ball boy for GHS, and from day one on that sideline, Marko has been a program guy, focusing first on the success of the team. His position is one that often goes unnoticed, unless something doesn’t go as planned. Marko never asks for praise, and he handles criticism with grace. His continual focus on “team-first” says so much about his character as a man, as a leader, and is the perfect demeanor for his position. These traits translate to his leadership on campus. Marko’s growth mindset is going to make him not only a phenomenal collegiate athlete, but also a phenomenal human being. He has been an asset to GHS.”

Glendora assistant principal, Rod Tilton: “Marko has exemplified what it means to be a Tartan, not just as a four-year varsity football starter, but as a true leader and positive force on the entire GHS campus. Always friendly, helpful, and full of school spirit, Marko has gone above and beyond in supporting his classmates, whether it’s through his work with ASB, leading the Dog Pound at basketball and volleyball games, or just offering a kind word to those around him. His unwavering commitment to Glendora High School and its community has made a lasting impact. While we will certainly miss him as he graduates this May, we know that Marko will always be a Tartan for life. #T4L”

Former GHS/current Northwestern linebacker, Braydon Brus: “Marko is a genuine, hardworking, do-anything-for-his-team kind of person, who I had the pleasure of playing with for an awesome season. It has been cool to see him grow and develop physically, mentally, and spiritually these last four years. He has all the skills needed to be successful in whatever he chooses to do, so I’m excited to see what’s next for him.”

GHS’ leading tackler, Aidan Yamazaki: “I think the best way to describe Marko is a dawg. He wants it more than most other people and you can tell he has a strong love for the game. One thing that stands out to me about him is his drive to win. He always wants to compete and show people what Glendora is about.”

Chino Hills QB & cousin, Alex Medyn: “Marko has always been “big cousin” and we would always talk football and about the next level. When we found out we would play each other during week-zero, we were so excited. It was awesome to share the field with him for his last first high school game of the season. Even though we beat Glendora, I knew he’d come over and give me a hug, which he did.”

Former GHS & current Citrus College QB, Jake Denerson: “Marko is very humble and he’s a teammate that you can rely on. He’s a big competitor as well. He’s always finding a way to create competition on and off the field. Marko is a great friend. He’s supportive, caring, and considerate of others, especially the people he is close to. I know that he’ll always have my back, and I’ll always have his.”

Glendora running back, Simon Zwick: “He’s made a big impact on the team. Marko is a great leader and always finds ways to make practice enjoyable. But he can also flip the switch and turn serious. Marko is a very good person inside and outside of school, and he’s always fun to hang out with on the weekends. Marko also has a great and welcoming family, who not only do a lot for GHS football, but Marko himself. They always take him to camps and get him all of the stuff he needs to succeed and be the person that he is today.”

Glendora receiver-DB, Tim Johnson: “He’s made a big impact, and he’s a big help in the pass and run protection. He helps make sure everyone is doing what we’re supposed to be doing so we have the best chance to win football games. He is also a great teammate who helps and encourages teammates, especially when mistakes are made. encouraging people especially when they make mistakes. Marko isn’t just a good teammate, he’s been a great friend and person, and he is super fun to be around. We always treat each other as equals and we show great respect to each other. His family is pretty special. They’re always really encouraging, and they support everyone. They have done a lot for this community and football team. They are truly great people.”

Glendora WR/DB, Caden Smith: “Marko is a good and hardworking teammate, and a great friend. He always pushes his teammates and the kids in the program. He also battles through his knee injury constantly game after game playing even after it dislocates. He’s always back the next play. He also shows his support to other GHS programs and teams as a dog pound leader, and getting all the students fired up for every game.”

Glendora girls’ basketball coach, Adam Nunemaker: “The Luera family is everything the community of Glendora represents. They are hard-working, no nonsense and as tough as they come”

Glendora boys’ basketball coach, Gordon Hamlow: “Marko is a big part of campus life at Glendora. He is a leader in the Dog Pound, always involved in activities with ASB, especially assemblies, and just a wonderful, enthusiastic person.”

Bonita football coach, Bo Beatty: “He is a big strong athletic kid who can play at the next level. Great family friend.”

GHS Record w/Luera:
2024: 6-4, 3-2
2023: 6-5, 2-1
2022: 4-7, 2-1
2021: 11-1, 3-0
Total: 27-17 overall, & 10-4 in league