Page 14 - 2020 AIA Fall Soccer Program

by Jose Garcia AZPreps365
Chino Valley (12-1) shutout every team it played this season when its starters were healthy and kept their grades up. It opened the season with an uncharacteristic loss, but only 13 boys were eligible to play in that game.
teacheR inspiRing eveRyone at chino valley
It’s been a challenging 2020 season so far for obvious rea- sons.
Once at full strength, the 6-time state champ was tough to beat and score on, especially when the back four of Richard Flores, Ravi Holladay, Joey Sanchez and Fernando Soto were present. Chino Valley also played without starting goalkeeper Trever Stazenski because of a motorcycle accident.
But as teams were taking measures to protect the health of their athletes, the soccer team of Chino Valley also made sure to lift the spirits of a dedicated PE teacher. Jenda Ballard also runs the Unified Sports program for special need students at Chino Valley.
The cohesiveness of Chino Valley’s defense developed as the players participated on the same teams in previous years, Carey said. Flores, Holladay and Soto are juniors, and Sanchez is a senior.
Quite a bit of the school’s soccer players are Unified Sports buddies and are partnered with an athlete with intellectual or physical disabilities. Chino Valley’s soccer players think highly of Ballard and were saddened to hear that she was battling breast cancer.
Flores and the 6-foot-3 Holladay are great in the air and physical, Carey added, and Flores is also a threat on offense during set pieces. Offensively, Chino Valley’s opponents are very aware of who they need to stop, or at least slow down: Angel Sanchez.
But they didn’t stand idly by. During a game in October that Ballard attended, the soccer players honored Ballard at halftime. The players donned pink socks for the event they dedicated to their beloved teacher.
Sanchez, one of only three seniors on the team, is a multi- faceted weapon.
“They are thinking about her (Jenda) a lot,” said Chino Valley coach Todd Carey about his players. “They love Unified Sports and love the idea of it. It’s a great thing.”
“I would say Angel is one of the best to come out of our program,” said Carey, a soccer alum of Chino Valley. “He may
not have the stats like a former Player of the Year for us, Arturo Gomez, but what he does on the field is just as equal and terrific. He cares about assists and goals. He loves to distribute.”
Ballard is also inspiring her soccer players to manage the best they can this season’s covid-related challenges.
So far, the 2020 Chino Valley Cougars are making Ballard proud. The team earned the No. 1 seed in the 2A Conference tournament, which will conclude on Nov. 7 with the 6 p.m. championship game at Coronado High.
Gabe Castillo, a forward with a strong right foot, the aggres- sive Orlando Santoyo and another distributor, Quade Kellerman, are also threats every time they are on the ball.
Chino Valley teacher Jenda Ballard is inspiring her school’s soccer program as she’s battling breast cancer. (Chino Valley High photo)