Former goalie brings a kick to Warrior offense

Juan Chavez leads team with 9 goals

Juan Chavez of Del Norte High, center, gets ready to go up for the ball during a game against Arcata last month. Chavez has nine goals so far this year. Del Norte Triplicate/Bryant Anderson

He knew he needed to do something to help jump-start the Warriors.

During practice, Sanyaolu  had noticed that starting goalie Juan Chavez flashed great ability when he would play on the offensive side of the ball.

So he decided to move Chavez to the right forward spot.

The move has paid off as Chavez, a junior, leads the team with nine goals.

“Moving him to offense has been one of the best decisions I’ve made as coach,” Sanyaolu said. 

“I just enjoy it,” Chavez said about soccer. “It’s my first love.”

 Chavez listens well and has put in the  time to become a better player, Sanyaolu said.

“All his hard work has paid off,” he said. “He’s strong ... He had a lethal shot and has shown a lot of ability.”

Chavez was determined to have a great season and dropped 30 pounds by the time school began. He wanted to be healthier and have more agility. He had heard there was a chance he might be moved to an offensive position, and he wanted to make sure he was in top shape by the time practices began in August.

Growing up,  Chavez watched his dad play soccer in different leagues around town and knew it was something he wanted to try.

Since he was about 8 he has been taking part in organized soccer.

At every home game cheering him on is his grandmother, Mary Curtis, whom he lives with.

“She is always there for me,” Chavez said.

Highlights for Chavez have included scoring the lone Warrior goal in a 1-1 tie against one of the best teams in the conference –– Arcata –– on Sept. 29 at home.

The two squads meet again today in Arcata starting at 11 a.m. The girls game follows at around 1 p.m.

The Del Norte boys squad is currently 4-5-2 for the year.

Another highlight for Chavez occurred in a 4-3 win at home against McKinleyville on Oct. 5.

Around 20 minutes in, Jesus Herrera fired a shot that was deflected by the Panthers’ goalie. Chavez was right there and dived for the ball, heading it in for the goal.

“It was a very good goal,” Sanyaolu said at the time.

Junior forward  Jose Ramirez, another top scorer for the Warriors, said he has been impressed with Chavez on offense.

“He’s good,”  Ramirez said, adding that he and Chavez work well together.

 Chavez said that his teammates, many of whom he has played with since he was a kid, have been great to work with. He said that this familiarity has helped them on the field.

He commended Ramirez for being a great player to be on offense with.

“He dribbles the ball well and can make the needed cross and gives it to you,” Chavez said.

He said that while he loves playing goalie,  he has also enjoyed playing forward and just wants to help his team wherever it may need him.

He admits to missing being in goal at times. Especially when the ball is coming his way and it’s up to him to prevent a goal.

”I’ll dive for anything,” he said. “It’s the greatest feeling when you stop the ball.”