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The 49ers High School Player of the Week Award for week five goes to Ray Anaya from Gunderson High School.

To say Ray Anaya had a great game in Gunderson High’s week five 21-7 win over Westmont would be an understatement. The senior defensive lineman disrupted the Westmont Warriors offense all night recording eight sacks, two solo tackles and a blocked punt.

“They just couldn’t stop him,” said Gunderson head coach Steve Papin.

What makes Ray’s accomplishment even more amazing is that he has only been on the team for three weeks and has not played football since his freshman year.  

After suffering a herniated disk that required surgery over two years ago, Ray was not sure he would ever get to play the game of football again. Thankfully for the Grizzlies, Anaya is almost at full strength again.

“I’m falling back in love with the sport I love the most,” declared Anaya. “This is a game of who is the better man, who is willing to work harder than his opponent.”

With help from fellow seniors Rocky Alvarez and Gabriel Cortez, Anaya and the Grizzly defense was able to hold the Warriors to just one score and extend their record to 3-2 on the season.

“Ray’s a great kid. It’s my first year around him and he works really hard and is always on time. It is one of those things where you wish you had 25 Rays on the team,” said Coach Papin.

Anaya is also a dedicated student, maintaining a 3.0 GPA.  When asked if he would like to play football at the next level, Ray said that he is just blessed to be able to play again and that he will see where this season takes him and that he is focused right now on the next game.

As the home school of 49ers High School Player of the Week, Gunderson High School will receive a $500 grant for their football program. Anaya will receive a 49ers hat and t-shirt, a certificate signed by 49er head coach Jim Harbaugh, two tickets to a 49ers home game and recognition on 49ers.com.  At the end of the season, Anaya will be invited to the 49ers Training Facility in Santa Clara, CA to accept a trophy recognizing his achievements.