Franco Perez readily acknowledges it was a team effort to claim the 3A boys state soccer title. But that trophy, it’s his baby.
“I know he comes in and kisses it every morning before class, so it’s definitely his baby,” Seabreeze head coach Nathan Murphy said.
“She’s ours but she has a special place in my heart,” Perez said.
The Sandcrabs junior forward certainly has every right to feel extra special about winning gold. Perez was responsible for both of Seabreeze’s goals in their 2-0 win over Merritt Island. The first, a throw in that resulted in an own goal. And the second, an absolute gorgeous strike from 18 yards out, a moment he still vividly remembers.
“Jacob Smith switched a brilliant ball over to me,” recalled Perez. “I took a touch down, settled it, looked to see where the defender was. I cut inside on my preferred right foot, cut it again and then tucked it into the back right corner, it was just unbelievable.”
“Spectacular, it takes a lot of skill to pull that off, and a lot of concentration,” said Murphy. “To basically break somebody’s legs like that and make a goal, what can you say, it’s great.”
The state championship is Seabreeze soccer’s first since 1993, a 24 year drought now over.
“It’s been me, battling day in and day out with my boys to make sure this trophy comes home for us,” said Murphy. “We gave everything for each other, it’s just special for us.”
Perez’s season stat line ends with an impressive 23 goals and 35 assists. The team captain now has his sights set on a repeat, but coach Murphy says not so fast.
“He’s got to make the team first, everybody starts over so we’ll see what happens,” joked Murphy.
Safe to say he’s in pretty good shape to make it.