Bulldog kickers honored at year end banquet

It wasn’t quite the season Bulldog fans have become accustomed to over the years but all in all the Douglas Bulldog soccer team had a successful season and never showed any signs of quitting all season.

The Bulldogs players and coaches were honored at their year end awards banquet Thursday night at the Douglas Visitors Center.

A photo and video highlighting the season was shown drawing “ooh’s and aah’s” from those in attendance.

Bulldog soccer coach Ken Cormier said despite losing a recent record high eight games this year, six of those by one goal, not once did he feel like any of the players quit.

“They gave it all they had every game,” he said. “They constantly strived to win.”

Cormier honored Jesus Leyva with the Rookie of the Year award.

Juan Cuevas was named the Most Improved.

Jorge Buelna was honored as the defensive player of the year and Pedro Samaniego received the Outstanding Senior award.

Stephan Orosco received the Bulldog award and Guillermo Larrazolo was given the Coaches Award.

Ramon Acosta was named the Bulldogs Most Valuable Player.

In the junior varsity portion of the evening Alphonso Romero, coach of the Bulldogs JV-A team, talked about his teams 9-1-2 season.

The coach presented Ozzy Moreno with the Most Improved award; Grant Watkins the Offensive Player of the Year; Javier Buelna the Defensive Player of the Year and Rene Moran was named the JV-A’s Most Valuable Player.

The JV-B team, coached by Victor Ramos, posted a 7-1 record. Fernando Rojas was named the JV-B’s Most Improved player; Efrain Gomez the Offensive Player of the Year and Luis Teran the Most Valuable Player.

All three coaches agree it was a “strange” season for Douglas soccer but with some hard work and commitment over the summer these returning players can be ready to make another run at the state tournament next year.

At the state soccer tournament Cortez, the team that Douglas beat last year for the state championship, returned to the state finals this year and beat Palo Verde in a overtime shootout to win the state title.

Palo Verde upset Gila Region champion Amphi in the state semifnals.

This was the fifth straight year a team from the Gila Region had made it to the state championship game giving some credability as to how tough the Gila Region is in soccer.