- November 26, 2024
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Franco Perez lets out a loud roar when the final game horn sounds. Photo by Dorian Nirschl
After being named FACA’s Player of the Year and then scoring the winning goal to lead the Seabreeze Sandcrabs into the 3A Final Four for the first time since 1994, Franco Perez said, “It's unbelievable and, honestly, too much in one day, but I wouldn't be here without my team.”
Last week, the Sandcrabs (21-1-2) ended their 19-year drought of reaching the region final with a 5-2 win over Taylor. To end their 24-year drought of reaching the State Final Four, Seabreeze shut out the four-time-straight region defending champion Sunlake Seahawks 2-0 Tuesday, Feb. 7, at Sunlake.
“It's crazy! These boys deserve everything coming their way,” said first-year head coach Nathan Murphy. “They work so hard. Every day we are on the pitch, putting in the time, becoming a better team and a stronger family. I couldn't have picked a better group of young men to lead us to a state title.”
Where the wind blows…
Seabreeze scored its first goal in the opening minutes of the second half, when Franco Perez threw in a ball from the sidelines that went through the keeper’s mitts and into the net. Had the goalkeeper never touched it, the goal would not have counted.
“My very first thought after the ball went in was, ‘We're in there,’” Perez said. “Everything seemed to have gone well for us, as the whole team was a dominant force.”
Perez would go on to score off Cole Tepper’s assist for the insurance goal.
Best year of the millennium
As the Sandcrabs are still seeking to add to their already-best season in almost 25 years, FACA has not only rewarded Perez as its Player of the Year. The organization selected Murphy as the Coach of the Year.
“My award,” he said, “means nothing without my players and the other coaches Rob (Bowling) and John Kinsler."
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