Speed, strength – scoring ability – key for The Bee’s boys soccer player of the year
Central Valley senior Gerardo Flores has trouble shopping.
“Something no one knows about me would be that I always have to specially order my pants because retail stores never have my size,” he said.
His size?
That remains a secret.
Something that isn’t a secret is the talent the 6-foot-3 forward displayed this year.
Flores, who led the Hawks a CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division III title game appearance, had 28 goals in 23 games played and is the Bee’s Boys Soccer Player of the Year.
“It means a lot to me to have represented Central Valley on and off the field,” Flores, one of the team’s captains, said. “Its been an honor to play with my teammates and coach throughout my four years and scoring has just always been an instinct of mine and something I practice daily so I’m very happy to be recognized for that.”
Flores was always one of the taller players on the field but he was equally quick.
Against Bella Vista in the Div. II championship, the Hawks (19-6-3, 10-2) had just given up a goal in the 85th minute in extra time but Flores scored a minute later from 20 yards out to tie the game.
He worked his way to get the ball before using his power to fire a shot over the goalie’s head and into the net.
Even though he didn’t win a section or CIF State NorCal title this year (lost in the first round), Flores enjoyed one last year playing with his brother, Gilberto.
The bond they share on the field has been going on since their parents signed them up for the Turlock recreational league when they were younger.
“Growing up, my brother and I would always be outside in the backyard playing almost every day,” Gerardo said. “Since then (when parents signed put them in a league together), we have never stopped playing.”
Flores, who was named the Central California Conference’s Offensive Player of the Year, will play soccer at Cal State San Bernardino next year, when he will major in business and finance.
In his spare time, Flores works at AutoZone and enjoys watching his favorite soccer team, Liverpool.
He also said he spends a lot of time with his family.
Said Flores: “The biggest influences in my life have been my parents as they have showed me right from wrong and have guided me and helped me reach this point in my life and i would like to thank them for always supporting me.”
