Preview of High School Impact Players – NorCal – Pt. 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>USE THE PROMO CODE almasin30 for a discount on your first subscription</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year's winter boys soccer season featured some of the best teams and players from the NorCal region.&nbsp; I covered high school teams playing for postseason spots as well as the CCS (Central Coast Section) title and the NorCal final. The Everett Alvarez Eagles stole the show as they won the elusive treble.&nbsp; Everett Alvarez had an overall record of 24-0-2 and was ranked #3 in CA and #9 in the nation—they won the CIF NorCal Division I Champions, the CCS Division I Championship, and their league title.&nbsp; It was nothing short of EPIC.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I will be featuring two returning players who will be contributing to another Eagles historical run as they seemed to have the ability to reload with top-level talent.&nbsp; Also included are players who represent teams who finished or were in first place at certain parts of the season, as well as players ready to push their team to the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Latino College Preparatory Academy Golden Eagles also had a successful season as they went undefeated in league play at 14-0 and finished in 1st place.&nbsp; They had an overall record of 17-1-2.&nbsp; They lost their first-round match of the CCS (Central Coast Section) tournament to Milpitas High School.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h1 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The featured players are:</strong></h1> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fernando Matias</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Luis Macias</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='274706' first='Andrew' last='Jaimes']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yosgart Barajas</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='6950' first='Aki' last='Iwashita']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='277408' first='Ruben' last='Suarez']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fernando Matias - Everett Alvarez - F - (His high school team won the treble - 1st league, CCS Section Title, and NorCal Division 1 title). &nbsp; He plays club soccer for El Camino FC. During the CCS Title Match, he scored their first goal.&nbsp; It was a really good run, which split two defenders while slipping through the lines before going 1v1 with the keeper.&nbsp; In full stride, he placed it past the goalkeeper's outstretched arms.&nbsp; He also made precise passes to get other players in scoring position.&nbsp; He will be looking to be one of the scoring leaders on a stacked Eagles team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":281140,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Fernando Matias","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"103","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Everett Alvarez","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"El Camino FC","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68e4b0c0141c8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">His high school team won the treble - 1st league, CCS Section Title, and NorCal Division 1 title. During the CCS Title Match, he scored their first goal.&nbsp; It was a really good run, which split two defenders while slipping through the lines before going 1v1 with the keeper.&nbsp; In full stride, he placed it past the goalkeeper's outstretched arms.&nbsp; He also made precise passes to get other players in scoring position.&nbsp; He will be looking to be one of the scoring leaders on a stacked Eagles team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1895686529810665933","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1895686529810665933 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Luis Macias - Everett Alvarez - F - (His high school team won the treble - 1st league, CCS Section Title, and NorCal Division 1 title).&nbsp; He made the ECNL Boys NorCal All-Conference Team in August 2025.&nbsp; He plays club soccer for El Camino FC. During the CCS Title Match, his penalty kick goal was similar to something you would see on a weekend soccer highlight reel.&nbsp; It had all of the makings of a pro-level dramatical goal.&nbsp; He did a little stutter step, a pause, and then he left-footed it towards the opposite post.&nbsp; It definitely received style points on that one.&nbsp; He will also be competing for top goal scorer on a loaded team that scored 77 goals last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":281141,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Luis Macias","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"103","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Everett Alvarez","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"El Camino FC","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68e4b0c0142cc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">His high school team won the treble - 1st league, CCS Section Title, and NorCal Division 1 title.&nbsp; He made the ECNL Boys NorCal All-Conference Team in August 2025.&nbsp; He plays club soccer for El Camino FC. During the CCS Title Match, his penalty kick goal was similar to something you would see on a weekend soccer highlight reel.&nbsp; It had all of the makings of a pro-level dramatical goal.&nbsp; He did a little stutter step, a pause, and then he left-footed it towards the opposite post.&nbsp; It definitely received style points on that one.&nbsp; He will also be competing for top goal scorer on a loaded team that scored 77 goals last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1895695970421317659","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1895695970421317659 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='274706' first='Andrew' last='Jaimes'] - Cristo Rey - D - 2028 - (10 goals and 1 assist for 21 points) - At one point, Cristo Rey was tied for 1st place in league play but they had to forfeit some of their matches, which resulted in a 5th place finish. Has a calculating and athletic approach to the game. He took apart runs by making hard challenges, stepping into lanes, and shutting down runners trying to run past the defensive 3. His precise passing is also worth noting, as he can also hit players from all spots on the pitch. Similar to the last time I saw him play, he sent quality long balls over the top or between defenders. At least one of them resulted in a goal. He's a big part of their defensive success, as they have 8 clean sheets on the season. He is also a player who can play up if needed. He plays club soccer for [program_tooltip program_id='283466' first='Santa' last='Clara Sporting']. Andrew made the ECNL Boys U16 Norther Cal All-Conference Frist Team. Note: He is in the 2028 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["274706"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":277388,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68e4b0c014367"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last season, he had 10 goals and 1 assist for 21 points. He has a calculating and athletic approach to the game. He took apart runs by making hard challenges, stepping into lanes, and shutting down runners trying to run past the defensive 3. His precise passing is also worth noting, as he can also hit players from all spots on the pitch. Similar to the last time I saw him play, he sent quality long balls over the top or between defenders. At least one of them resulted in a goal. He's a big part of their defensive success, as they have 8 clean sheets on the season. He is also a player who can play up if needed. He plays club soccer for [program_tooltip program_id='283466' first='Santa' last='Clara Sporting']. Andrew made the ECNL Boys U16 Norther Cal All-Conference Frist Team. Note: He is in the class of 2028.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other [player_tooltip player_id='274706' first='Andrew' last='Jaimes'] Prep Soccer Articles: https://prepsoccer.com/2025/01/ca-high-school-boys-the-battle-for-first-place/</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yosgart Barajas - Cristo Rey - F - 2027 - (23 goals and 19 assists for 65 points) - He plays club soccer for [program_tooltip program_id='287651' first='Los' last='Gatos United'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Yosgart Barajas","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"103","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Cristo Rey","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='287651' first='Los' last='Gatos United']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68e4b0c01443d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He is a big part of the Cristo Rey offense. He contributed by scoring 23 goals and provided 19 assists for a total of 65 points. He can score from multiple spots in and outside of the 18 and he has a scorers mentality. His ability to place teammates in scoring positions makes him a offensive threat. He will be called upon to help the team get back to first place and playoff contentions. He plays club soccer for [program_tooltip program_id='287651' first='Los' last='Gatos United'].&nbsp;&nbsp;<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='6950' first='Aki' last='Iwashita'] - Branham - D - 2027 - He won the BVAL (Blossom Valley Athletic League) Sophomore of the year award.&nbsp; He has a good understanding of what's happening around him.&nbsp; Showed the ability to track forwards and make some stops as they tried to get past him up the line.&nbsp; He used his quickness to recover mistakes and chased down attackers on the flank.&nbsp; Aki stopped a few shot attempts in the box by anticipating which foot and side his opponent would take.&nbsp; His strengths are definitely in cutting off angled runs and being a safety valve on defense.&nbsp; He will be expected to take charge of the backline and push his team to the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["6950"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68e4b0c0144b4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He won the BVAL (Blossom Valley Athletic League) Sophomore of the year award.&nbsp; He has a good understanding of what's happening around him.&nbsp; Showed the ability to track forwards and make some stops as they tried to get past him up the line.&nbsp; He used his quickness to recover mistakes and chased down attackers on the flank.&nbsp; Aki stopped a few shot attempts in the box by anticipating which foot and side his opponent would take.&nbsp; His strengths are definitely in cutting off angled runs and being a safety valve on defense.&nbsp; He will be expected to take charge of the backline and push his team to the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='6950' first='Aki' last='Iwashita'] - BVAL Sophomore of the Year Award </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DHKkwInxMmW/?hl=en&amp;img_index=1">https://www.instagram.com/p/DHKkwInxMmW/?hl=en&amp;img_index=1</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='277408' first='Ruben' last='Suarez'] - Latino College Preparatory Academy - D - 2028 - (14 goals and 14 assists for 42 points).&nbsp; The Latino College Preparatory Academy Golden Eagles went undefeated in league play at 14-0 and finished in 1st Place.&nbsp; They had an overall record of 17-1-2.&nbsp; They lost their first round match of the CCS (Central Coast Section) tournament to Milpitas high school. He has great size and plays a physical style paired with a good soccer IQ.&nbsp; He doesn't take necessary risks and he seems to know the attacking angles well. Suarez started most transitions from the back and he had good focus and tracked players attempting to get between the lanes.&nbsp; He won 50/50 challenges and never backed down against the Lions, as they made a hard push during the remaining 20 minutes of the match.&nbsp; If I didn't know he was a freshman, I would've definitely thought he was an upperclassman due to his size and skills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["277408"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68e4b0c014525"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He has great size and plays a physical style paired with a good soccer IQ.&nbsp; He doesn't take necessary risks and he seems to know the attacking angles well. Suarez started most transitions from the back and he had good focus and tracked players attempting to get between the lanes.&nbsp; He won 50/50 challenges and never backed down against the Lions, as they made a hard push during the remaining 20 minutes of the match.&nbsp; If I didn't know he was a freshman, I would've definitely thought he was an upperclassman due to his size and skills. Ruben contributed to his team's 1st place and undefeated league record by scoring 14 goals and providing 14 assists for a total of 42 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->