The bond between Whiting seniors Berner Garcia and Demetrio Lopez is a powerful one.

Both latecomers to football, Garcia and Lopez suffered season-ending broken collarbones within a week of each other last year. Now they have a burning desire to return the Oilers to glory.

“Ever since I met Metro, I’ve always felt a connection,” Garcia said. “He shares the same interests as me, and I just like being around him. When we’re on the field, there’s always a connection there. He’s not just a friend, he’s a brother.

“Honestly, I look up to him. He inspires me to go all out every time. I’ll do anything for him or the team.”

Lopez feels the same way about Garcia.

“He helps pick me up when I’m down, and I help pick him up when he’s down,” Lopez said.

Both down late last season, Lopez and Garci

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