Navy quarterback Jackson Gutierrez remembers feeling like his back was up against the wall during his last visit to the Alamodome. Looking around the locker room at halftime, he could tell many of his Jay teammates were already exhausted.
Most of the Mustangs' standouts were playing both ways in that Class 6A Division II regional semifinal playoff game, but Jay trailed powerhouse Dripping Springs by just seven points at halftime.
Gutierrez still recalls pushing his teammates to keep fighting, and he said he'll never forget the two-point conversion try that he was certain had crossed the goal line. He accounted for all of the Mustangs' touchdowns with three on the ground and one through the air, but Jay was eventually overwhelmed, and Gutierrez ended his high school career with a 50-27 loss to Dripping Springs on Nov. 25, 2023.
"Walking off that field with all of my best friends I've grown up with since I was 7 years old, I was content with myself, at that time," Gutierrez said. "We had given it all we got."
As he looked to the college level, Gutierrez said he prioritized that same type of culture and camaraderie, and he found what he was searching for with Navy.
After two seasons as a backup, Gutierrez has emerged as the starter during his junior season, earning the right to lead another gritty underdog into the Alamodome as Navy meets UTSA at 7 p.m. Saturday.
"I'm just super humbled and super appreciative of it," Gutierrez said. "I think going home to San Antonio, yeah, it's really cool."
Though Gutierrez figured he'd have a role in Navy's offense after flashing potential in his limited opportunities last season, Braxton Woodson entered the year as the No. 1 option for the Midshipmen. But Woodson has been limited by an ankle sprain suffered during Navy's second game of the year against Florida Atlantic, allowing Gutierrez to take the reins.
Gutierrez said he was sore for a few days following his first start, as he carried 34 times for 134 yards and a touchdown in a 24-20 loss to UAB on Sept. 25. But his body quickly became calloused to the workload, he said, leaving him relatively fresh even after he carried 41 times for 232 yards and three touchdowns in last week's 34-26 win against Tulsa.
His output that day marked the most carries by a Navy player since 2008 and the highest rushing yardage total since 2019.
"The kid's the most fierce competitor we're going to play against," UTSA coach Jeff Traylor said. "He's unbelievable."
UTSA vs. Navy:
Gutierrez's burden may not be so heavy going forward, as Navy coach Brian Newberry said Woodson is making progress in his recovery and could split time with Gutierrez on Saturday.
While Gutierrez has been productive, his performance has not been spotless, as he was tagged for two fumbles against both Tulsa and UAB. Navy also turned the ball over on a botched option handoff against UAB, and Gutierrez threw an interception against Tulsa despite attempting just seven passes.
Navy entered the year among the favorites to win the American Conference but opened 2-3 overall and 1-2 in the league, earning its first FBS win last week against Tulsa.
"Jackson did some really good things on Saturday, but there are some things he has to do better," Newberry said. "We have to take care of the football better. We have to make better decisions, at times. So, he did a lot of really good things, and there's a lot of meat left on the bone with regards to his play."
Gutierrez said he's expecting plenty of fan support in the Alamodome, as his grandparents alone scooped up 30 tickets and were still texting him searching for more.
Senior safety Giuseppe Sessi, who is also making a homecoming after playing at Reagan, said his dad told him to expect a cheering section of about 200 friends and family.
A co-captain for the Midshipmen this year, Sessi ranks third on the team with 32 tackles, holding down a starting job for a second straight season after finishing second on the team with 81 stops last year.
Entering the back half of his final college season, Sessi said he's taking time to reflect on his history with the sport, recalling his first moments in middle school with "pads that were way too big and pants going down to my shins."
He remembers opening his final high school season in 2022 with a loss to Smithson Valley and current Navy teammate Gavin Woods in the Alamodome, and he knew signing with the Midshipmen could mean a chance to return to the stadium he's visited so many times before to watch UTSA football or the Alamo Bowl. That moment finally arrives Saturday, providing one more highlight as he winds down his career.
"Days are long and years are short," Sessi said. "You look up and you're like, ‘Wow, I can't believe I'm here at this point.' So far, I've really just tried to soak it in and enjoy the moment."
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There’s more to San Antonio with the Express-News. Subscribe today for just 25¢.This article originally published at Navy's Jackson Gutierrez set for San Antonio homecoming against UTSA.