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CHS, CV boys soccer talent rewarded
• Bulldog striker Arana MVP of Western Athletic Conference
Isaac Arana
Bulldog senior striker Isaac Arana has been named the WAC’s Most Valuable Player. - photo by Dale Butler

Ceres High’s and Central Valley’s boys soccer teams had a combined 11 players garner all-conference recognition for their outstanding play this winter.

“I’m happy,” Hawks’ coach Horatio Garcia said while talking about the voting process. “It was based on their importance to the team. They all had an impact on this season and how well we did.”

“It was fair for everybody,” Bulldogs’ leader Gilbert Zamora Jr. said.

Bulldog senior striker Isaac Arana was voted the Western Athletic Conference’s Most Valuable Player.

Arana totaled 27 goals and 19 assists, both team highs, for WAC-champion Ceres High (12-1-1).

“All of the coaches in league voted for him,” Zamora said. “He deserved it. He’s a really talented player. He’s very hard to guard. He is what he is because he’s played travel soccer his whole life. It makes a difference.”

Ceres High’s Noah Zamora, Jessie Villalobos and Noah Trevino were all named to the WAC First Team.

Zamora, a senior center back, tallied two goals and 12 assists.

“Usually defenders stay back,” Gilbert Zamora said. “He did a little more in an offensive way.”

Villalobos, a senior goalkeeper, made 55 saves.

“He was the best goalie in league,” coach Zamora said. “He was disciplined. He was athletic. His attitude was very positive. He trained really hard.”

Trevino, a senior, starred at defensive midfielder.

“He was a tough player,” Gilbert Zamora said. “He was really aggressive. He covered a lot of ground in the middle.”

Bulldog teammates Serjio Gonzalez and Gilbert Zamora III were second-team all-league picks.

Gonzalez, a senior forward/right winger, and Zamora III, a sophomore utility player, both collected seven goals and seven assists.

“They got the job done and made a difference on the team,” coach Zamora said.

Central Valley’s Fernando Cano was named the Central California Conference’s Offensive Player of the Year.

The senior striker also earned first-team all-league honors, along with Hawk teammates Jose Cazares and Carlos Ochoa Marin.

Cano led Central Valley in scoring with 20 goals.

“I don’t think anyone else in league had the same amount of goals that he did,” Garcia said. “He had the ability to score from any angle. He was one step ahead of everyone. He already had a plan before he got the ball.”

Cano totaled 30 goals while starring at the varsity level for two seasons.

“He improved his finishing,” Garcia said.

Cazares, a junior defensive midfielder, tallied two goals and five assists.

“He had an amazing year,” Garcia said. “His stats don’t really show how important he was to the team.”

Ochoa Marin, a junior center back, had one goal and one assist.

“Defensively, he was the leader of the team,” Garcia said.

Central Valley’s Eberardo Huaracha and Heriberto Paz were both selected to the CCC Second Team.

Huaracha, junior defensive midfielder, had two goals and four assists.

He led the Hawks in steals with 71.

“His numbers don’t show the quality of player he is,” Garcia said. “Defensively, he was really impressive.”

Paz, a senior center back, had one goal and one assist.

“He’ll be missed next year based on the talent he has and leadership he showed,” Garcia said.

Central Valley finished second overall in the CCC standings with a 9-3-0 mark.

Fernando Cano
A two-year member of Central Valley’s boys soccer team, senior striker Fernando Cano was named the CCC’s Offensive Player of the Year this winter.