Douglas Bulldog Soccer Coach Ken Cormier recognized soccer players, player’s parents, coaches and spouses at the postseason soccer banquet on Feb. 19.

The DHS soccer players who were honored at their post season awards banquet Feb. 19 at the Douglas Visitors Center. Pictured above, back row left to right, Hiram Iniquez, Javier Buelna, Luis Teran, Antonio Orduna, Coach Ken Cormier, Coach Alphonso Romero, Coach Victor Ramos, Coach Jason Miller, German Galaz, Zeke Miller and Kirt Cormier. Front row, left to right Eddie Orton, Leo Montano, Ozzie Moreno, Jacob Ortega, Marc Gonzalez, Chris Cruz and Estevan Mora. Trisha Maldonado/Douglas Dispatch

The 150 or so attendees at the event inside the Douglas Visitors Center applauded the coaches who dedicated large portions of their lives supporting, mentoring and enriching the efforts of Douglas High School Soccer team. And, accomplished athletes with promising futures were also congratulated and honored.

Cormier started the banquet with a prayer which then lead to dinner and a 20 minute slideshow of the highlights and blunders of the season.

“They do a beautiful job every year,” DUSD school board member, Natalio Sabal said. “You can tell he (Cormier) loves what he does and his athletes.”

Certificates and letters were handed out to Junior Varsity A and B teams first by Coaches Alphonso Romero, Victor Ramos and volunteer assistant coach Jason Miller.

“It is a privilege to work with the coaches and the kids,” Coach Miller said. “They work extremely hard.”

“We build a lot of character and disciple year in and year out and we have to get ready for next year,” Coach Romero said. “We get to know the kids not only as players but personally and they put out a lot of effort.”

“It was a really good season, it was exciting,” Coach Ramos said. “We have great kids and a great program. We not only teach the kids the sport but character, values and try to help them prepare for life.”

The undefeated sectional champions held a record of 11-0-1. Their first and only loss was during the first round at state against the Amphi Panthers.

“I couldn’t be more pleased with the players, their attitude, their effort and the way they performed,” Coach Cormier said. “No one was really happy with losing in the first round of state, however the truth of the matter is that it was a great season and all we can do is our very best and they did that.”

Top honor awards went to: Zeke Miller, sophomore, Most Improved Player; German Galaz, freshman, Defensive Player of the Year; Eddie Orton, junior, Offensive Player of the Year; Leo Montano, junior, Most Valuable Player; Jacob Ortega, freshman, rookie of the year;

Marc Gonzalez, sophomore, Most Improved Player; Antonio, Orduna, senior, Defensive Player of the Year; Kirt Cormier, Offensive Player of the Year; Ozzie Moreno, senior, Bulldog Award;

Chris Cruz, junior, Sportsmanship Award; Estevan Mora, senior, Team Spirit Award; Hiram Iniquez, senior, Heart of a Champion Award; Captain Javier Buelna, senior, Most Valuable Player; Luis Teran, senior, Coaches Award for Character, Leadership and Athletics.

Seven seniors are due to graduate this year leaving the program with a void to fill.

“We are going to have a big challenge… Every year we lose such great people and it leaves big gaps to fill,” Cormier said. “Traditionally the way we run our practices and develop talent we always have plenty of people to fill those holes and that’ll be true again this next year.”

Cormier and his assistant coaches hold a summer camp every year to get the kids ready for the next season. He encourages students to sign up; Cormier can be reached at the Douglas High School for more information.

“I believe with everything we do in the program for them, with this night, the way we treat them and make them feel special; I think they understand that we really love them,” Coach Cormier added. “That’s what it’s all about it’s about them not us.”