Gamers from six Valley League soccer faculties got here to Granada Hills Kennedy Excessive on Monday for a media day, and you may say with none doubts that Van Nuys senior quarterback Carlos Herrera has been modified by his experiences.
When he determined to attempt soccer for the primary time as a freshman, he mentioned he knew little concerning the sport similar to placing on shoulder pads. By final season, he was the Metropolis Part Division III offensive participant of the 12 months after passing for two,158 yards and 23 touchdowns and working for 807 yards and 12 touchdowns.
“It never crossed my mind,” he mentioned of his soccer success. “It’s changed my life physically and mentally. It helps me mentally. When I go into the real world, nothing will be as tough a challenge.”
Cousins Diego Montes (left) and James Montes of Kennedy.
(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Occasions)
Defending league champion Kennedy has the Montes cousins, quarterback Diego Montes and defensive lineman James Montes. Diego has a 4.6 grade point-average, made All-Metropolis and is understood for his versatility.
“Every time I try to sack him, he runs away,” James mentioned.
Kennedy lineman Lazara Barajas has made large adjustments bodily.
Final season he weighed 298 kilos. Now he’s 262 kilos after he stopped consuming chips and used higher cardio methods to drop weight.
First-year Reseda coach Ed Breceda is a Reseda grad and former Regent assistant.
(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Occasions)
First-year Reseda coach Ed Breceda, who graduated from the college in 2006 and was an assistant coach underneath former head coach Alonso Arreola, goes again even additional, bringing again smash-mouth soccer from the times of coach Joel Schaeffer. He introduced three working backs to the media day — Innis Marquez, Erick Figueroa and Jonathan Orantes.
Lots of Reseda’s gamers are enrolled within the college’s police magnet program. Orantes is also a part of the college’s cheer workforce.
Canoga Park coach Lucius Mills has spent months making an attempt to persuade one in every of his college’s prime soccer gamers, Gabriel Trigueros Estrada, to hitch the soccer workforce. He lastly arrived this summer time and is exhibiting promise as a senior security with no soccer expertise. Mills is hoping if Estrada has an excellent expertise, different soccer gamers will comply with in future years.
San Fernando coach Charles Burnley performed for the Tigers and is all the time reminding his gamers about their sturdy soccer custom. San Fernando produced a Heisman Trophy winner, Charles White.
The Tigers have been strengthened by two transfers from Heritage Christian, quarterback Julian Zarzo and working again Brandon Marshall. However the participant to observe may very well be 6-foot-4, 290-pound junior deal with Paul Villegas.
San Fernando 6-4, 290-pound junior Paul Villegas.
(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Occasions)
Solely 16 years outdated and half Samoan, he’s gaining physicality and including power. And what about his consuming expertise?
“What didn’t I eat,” he mentioned.
San Fernando performs Sylmar on the Coliseum on Oct. 17.
Brothers Rayleo (left) and Elizeo Reyes of Sylmar could be small in stature however they play with coronary heart and toughness.
(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Occasions)
Brothers Rayleo and Elizeo Reyes are key gamers for Sylmar as defensive backs. By no means doubt their toughness, for Rayleo is a 5-6, 150-pound senior and Elizeo is a 5-5, 149-pound junior.
“We like to fly around and hit people,” Rayleo mentioned.
Each can’t wait to play on the Coliseum. “I’ve always been a USC fan,” Elizeo mentioned. “It’s a dream come true.”
Panorama is happy about sophomore security Brandon Hernandez, who ended up beginning as a 14-year-old freshman final season.
Requested how do you get somebody so younger able to play on varsity, coach Adrian Beltran mentioned, “You make them be best friends with the linemen. He hung out with them at lunch, after school.”
