Athlete of the Week - Liberty Football's Madden Dela Cruz

Athlete of the Week – Liberty Football’s Madden Dela Cruz

For Liberty High School quarterback Madden Dela Cruz, earning the starting job was about more than talent. It took patience, dedication, and a willingness to keep working, even when the opportunity seemed far away.

As a sophomore, Dela Cruz entered the season as QB3 in Liberty’s varsity quarterback room. Now a junior, Dela Cruz has earned the QB1 role and established himself as a proven competitor for the Patriots.

Rather than becoming discouraged by the competition, he focused on improving his own game and trusting the work he was putting in.

Dela Cruz first fell in love with football at just 4 years old, when his parents signed him up for flag football. The opportunity to compete and play alongside friends sparked a passion that has continued ever since. With his parents’ encouragement and support, that early interest grew into a commitment to the game.

“My parents have the biggest influence on me in my football career,” Dela Cruz said. “They’ve always made sure I do the right thing on and off the field, and they’ve always taught me to stay humble and to never be boastful.”

That mindset has helped him navigate the challenges of competing for a starting position. Moving from junior varsity to varsity football required adjusting to a faster pace, becoming more comfortable with the offense, and learning to stay composed when things did not go as planned. Dela Cruz said focusing on his own development rather than comparing himself to other quarterbacks helped him grow. He also credits his faith and trust in his abilities for keeping him motivated throughout the process.

This season, that work has translated into production on the field.

In Liberty’s win over Coronado in the Battle of St. Rose, Dela Cruz threw for more than 340 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. The Patriots found success by mixing the run and pass through their run-pass option offense, with contributions from the receivers, offensive line, and running backs.

“Our RPO game was really helping us out to get a big win versus Coronado,” Dela Cruz said. “We were able to mix up the run and pass and put it all together in the second half.”

While Dela Cruz takes pride in his passing ability, he has also worked to improve his speed and mobility in the pocket. He believes adding those elements to his game will make him a more complete quarterback moving forward.

Behind his development is a support system that continues to push him. Dela Cruz said his father provides honest feedback about what he needs to improve, while both of his parents have reinforced the importance of humility, hard work, and doing the right thing on and off the field.

Being named Franchise Sports Media Athlete of the Week is another milestone in his journey, but Dela Cruz sees it as motivation to keep pushing rather than a reason to become comfortable.

Looking beyond high school, his goal is to attend a great college and earn a scholarship that will help ease the financial burden on his parents.

For younger quarterbacks who are still competing for a spot, he encourages them to stay committed and make the most of every opportunity.

“You never know when you’ll get an opportunity,” Dela Cruz said.

From third on the depth chart to Liberty’s starting quarterback, Dela Cruz’s journey is a reminder that progress takes time.

His story is still being written, and he plans to keep working toward what comes next.

More FSM Athlete of the Week

Catch up on past honorees: Durango Football’s Julian Vargas Gemoya, Bonanza Football’s Braeden Osotio, Liberty Flag Football’s Trishelle Tucay and Shadow Ridge’s Keira Rodriguez, or see the full list of FSM Athlete of the Week winners. Know an athlete who deserves it? Nominate them here, and vote in this week’s poll.

Franchise Sports Media. Las Vegas sports news about Las Vegas Sports teams.

— Keira Orton (@sportswithkeira) for Franchise Sports Media

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