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Thursday, Sep. 24, 2009

Shawn Jansen: Prep football takes on a futbol feel

Bart McAfee won't be hard to spot in the stands during Merced's football games on Friday nights.

McAfee will be the fan with his hands over his eyes during Merced kickoffs.

It's going to be tough for the Merced soccer coach to watch one of his top players from his defending section championship team wearing football pads and handling the kickoff duties for the football team.

Reigning Sun-Star Soccer Player of the Year, Cristian Alvarez, plans to suit up for the first time on Friday night when Merced hosts Fresno Edison.

"I don't want him to get hurt," McAfee said. "There's always that chance. Cristian isn't the biggest guy in the world.

"What happens if he has to make a tackle? That's what I fear the most."

Alvarez isn't afraid.

The soccer star is having fun playing both sports.

Injuries and an illness have kept him off the football field so far this season.

"It's my last year of high school, so I figured why not try it," said Alvarez, who scored two goals in Merced's 4-1 win on the pitch against Golden Valley on Wednesday.

"I want to have fun my last year. So far, so good."

Alvarez is one of a handful of soccer players pulling double duty this fall.

Los Banos has two soccer players on its football roster. Freddie Romero has already made two field goals, including one from 40 yards out in the opener against Fresno.

Hilmar's Daniel Mouro received plenty of press after booting a school record 54-yard field goal against Denair.

Golden Valley's Memo Ramirez was also playing both sports before recently deciding to focus his time on soccer.

The extra time took its toll on Alvarez early on this season.

However, now he only works out with the football team twice a week.

Alvarez impressed the football coaches early with his powerful leg.

He was sending kickoffs into the end zone with ease.

As far as Alvarez is concerned, that's the easiest way to avoid an injury.

"The coaches told me if I kick it in the end zone, I don't have to worry about tackling anybody," he said. "I'm willing to make a tackle. I'm not scared of tackling. I'm scared of what McAfee will say if I make the tackle."

The Merced-Buhach Colony soccer rivalry took on a new dynamic this year.

At least in the McAfee household.

Bart McAfee's wife, Stacy, took over as the Buhach Colony principal this year after spending the last 13 years at Merced.

Bart says his wife still knows better than to root against Merced.

"She was rooting for both teams when we played last week," Bart said. "She still knows our kids and pulls for us.

"But there's no chance she's going to root against us. If we lose, she knows I'm unbearable at home."

Speaking of winning, Buhach Colony continues to do things that haven't been done at the school before.

Buhach Colony is off to its best start in school history with a 3-0 record.

Kevin Swartwood's boys also set a couple school records last week against Beyer.

The 67 points scored set the school record for most points in a single game.

Junior running back Corey Chapman also set the single-game rushing mark with 321 yards on 17 carries.

BC could find itself in another shootout this week at Escalon.

The Chowchilla football team already knows what to expect when it faces quarterback Isaiah Burse and Modesto Christian on Friday evening.

Just in case John Henson's boys need a reminder, Burse was named the U.S. Air Force National Football Player of the Week after rushing for 107 yards and two touchdowns to go along with three touchdown passes and an interception return for a score in MC's 49-21 win over Capital Christian.

Shawn Jansen is a Sun-Star sports reporter. He can be reached at 385-2462 or via e-mail at sjansen@mercedsun-star.com.