Ninth and ultimate in a collection of tales profiling high highschool soccer gamers by place. At this time, 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 stated.
Strolling round campus, Moreno virtually lived a secret life. Nobody would have dared to assume he was a soccer participant.
“Nah,” Moreno stated. “They’re going to think I’m a regular student.”
By his sophomore season, Moreno was closing in on 130 kilos and making clutch subject targets. He made a 38-yard subject purpose with 12 seconds left in regulation to tie the rating towards Carson. He made subject targets from 27 and 32 yards towards Banning in an extra time win on the Coliseum. He made seven of 9 on subject targets and 45 of 47 on PATs en path to an All-Metropolis season.
His focus this offseason has been on gaining energy and weight. He lifts alongside linemen and earns respect.
“You should see him in the weight room,” Walsh stated. “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 subject purpose 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, stated Wilmer bragged, “This kid is going to be good.”
Since fifth grade, Dylan and his father have been going to San Pedro to observe kicking.
“My dad took me to San Pedro because he always wanted me to be a kicker.,” Dylan stated. “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 rising his energy to have the ability to energy the soccer into the tip zone on kickoffs, forcing a touchback. In any other case, Moreno may need to make a deal with. He says he’s prepared.
“I’m not scared when I see people on the field,” he stated. “I just have to do what I got to do. If he’s there, I have to tackle him. I’m ready for that.”
Certainly one of Moreno’s strengths up to now has been thriving in strain conditions, incomes the belief of his coach.
“His accuracy has been amazing,” Walsh stated.
Mentioned 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 stated. “I want to come off a legend at the school.”
Kickers/punters to look at
Gabriel Goroyan, Westlake, 5-11, 175, Jr.: Robust leg, relentless work behavior
Jacob Kreinberg, Loyola, 6-0, 195, Sr.: Made 11 of 14 subject targets final season
Aiden Migirdichian, Orange Lutheran, 5-11, 160, Sr.: Was 9 for 9 on subject targets as a junior
Dylan Moreno, San Pedro, 5-7, 130, Jr.: Has confirmed he makes clutch subject targets.
Carter Montgomery, Claremont, 6-1, 153, Sr.: Owns a school-record 48-yard subject purpose
Oscar Reyes Ramirez, Hemet, 5-9, 160, Sr.: Made 15 subject targets 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 subject purpose final season
CJ Wallace, St. John Bosco, 5-11, 160, Sr.: Washington commit retains getting higher
