Ninth and ultimate in a collection of tales profiling prime highschool soccer gamers by place. Immediately, Dylan Moreno, San Pedro kicker.
San Pedro soccer coach Corey Walsh remembers the primary time seeing Dylan Moreno present up on campus as a freshman.
“He came here as a scrawny kicker at 100 pounds,” Walsh mentioned.
Strolling round campus, Moreno virtually lived a secret life. Nobody would have dared to assume he was a soccer participant.
“Nah,” Moreno mentioned. “They’re going to think I’m a regular student.”
By his sophomore season, Moreno was closing in on 130 kilos and making clutch discipline objectives. He made a 38-yard discipline objective with 12 seconds left in regulation to tie the rating towards Carson. He made discipline objectives from 27 and 32 yards towards Banning in an extra time win on the Coliseum. He made seven of 9 on discipline objectives and 45 of 47 on PATs en path to an All-Metropolis season.
His focus this offseason has been on gaining power and weight. He lifts alongside linemen and earns respect.
“You should see him in the weight room,” Walsh mentioned. “Tiny guy who works hard.”
It ought to come as no shock that the 5-foot-7 Moreno is gaining consideration within the San Pedro neighborhood. His father, Wilmer, who made a 28-yard discipline objective for the Pirates within the 1997 Metropolis championship recreation towards Taft on the Coliseum, has been telling San Pedro coaches for years about his son’s coming arrival.
Mike Walsh, the previous San Pedro head coach and the daddy of Corey Walsh, mentioned Wilmer bragged, “This kid is going to be good.”
Since fifth grade, Dylan and his father have been going to San Pedro to follow kicking.
“My dad took me to San Pedro because he always wanted me to be a kicker.,” Dylan mentioned. “I was a soccer player. I liked playing football because it was something new. Ever since, I fell in love with the game.”
His problem has been growing his power to have the ability to energy the soccer into the top zone on kickoffs, forcing a touchback. In any other case, Moreno might need to make a sort out. He says he’s prepared.
“I’m not scared when I see people on the field,” he mentioned. “I just have to do what I got to do. If he’s there, I have to tackle him. I’m ready for that.”
One in every of Moreno’s strengths to this point has been thriving in stress conditions, incomes the belief of his coach.
“His accuracy has been amazing,” Walsh mentioned.
Stated Moreno: “Kicking is mostly 70% mental and 30% physical. You have to be focused on what you’re doing. Of course, you’re going to get butterflies in your stomach, but I feel I can control it. I don’t really think about how far to kick it. I just kick the ball.”
Papa Walsh, who serves as a San Pedro assistant, used to inform a younger Moreno, “You’re going to be that guy when you’re a senior.”
Now it’s as much as Moreno to make himself look good going into his junior season.
“I’ve been grinding my butt off to prove that,” Moreno mentioned. “I want to come off a legend at the school.”
Kickers/punters to observe
Gabriel Goroyan, Westlake, 5-11, 175, Jr.: Robust leg, relentless work behavior
Jacob Kreinberg, Loyola, 6-0, 195, Sr.: Made 11 of 14 discipline objectives final season
Aiden Migirdichian, Orange Lutheran, 5-11, 160, Sr.: Was 9 for 9 on discipline objectives as a junior
Dylan Moreno, San Pedro, 5-7, 130, Jr.: Has confirmed he makes clutch discipline objectives.
Carter Montgomery, Claremont, 6-1, 153, Sr.: Owns a school-record 48-yard discipline objective
Oscar Reyes Ramirez, Hemet, 5-9, 160, Sr.: Made 15 discipline objectives final season
Jackson Shevin, Mira Costa, 6-0, 185, Sr.: Averaged 38 yards on punts as a junior
Jerry Shifman, Mater Dei, 5-11, 170, So.: Has made main strides in offseason
Carter Sobel, Sierra. Canyon, 5-9, 165, Jr.: Had 48-yard game-tying discipline objective final season
CJ Wallace, St. John Bosco, 5-11, 160, Sr.: Washington commit retains getting higher
