Casa Grande: A team four years in the making

Casa Grande co-head coaches Jordan Schlau and Kevin Richardson were coaching the JV boys four years ago when a group of very talented freshman came into the program. A year later, the two were coaching varsity, creating a two-team, one-family atmosphere, and using this crop of 13 kids as a catalyst for starting something special. The current seniors essentially helped build this program because we took their freshman season and have built on it ever since," Schlau said. "Every season we ask the boys to commit themselves to hard work, discipline, sportsmanship and representation of our school/family/team in the most respectable way." The fruits of building a program, a family, could pay big dividends during the 2021/2022 season as the Gauchos feature the aforementioned 13 seniors, five juniors and a sophomore. They are very, very experienced and should be a force to reckon with in the North Coast Section's Division II. Wins and losses are certainly part of this team's goals, but for Schlau and Richardson, the program is about more than that. It's about things like a team GPA of 3.0+, it's about things like not having a red card this season. "We have the students discuss and set objectives themselves, to promote their involvement and ensure that everyone has a voice on the team," Schlau said. "By doing this, we essentially let them pick their own path." Schlau and Richardson have determined this is the best way to create the environment they are striving for and the best way to reach the kids. "The coaches help polish and guide the objectives, but they are ultimately created by the team," Schlau said. "By allowing the team to work together to set goals, create guidelines, edit schedules, plan team events and more, we give them the highest interest in the team and the strongest sense of a collective force. What we have found is that this pushes the students to be more accountable for their own progression and more aware of their representation in front of our community." Wins and losses are also a measuring stick for this Gauchos team, who want to improve on last year's mark of 7-4-1 and want to beat Napa or Vintage, both DI schools they have never beat before. "We really want all the players to enjoy their high school career," Richardson said. "We compete in a very difficult league so all the players need to be on board to deal with the inevitable ups and downs of a season if we hope to get a chance to make the playoffs." In order to do that, the Gauchos will need big performances from these five players: <h5><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Nico Rahman, Senior, Midfield/Wing</span></strong></h5> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Rahman is dedicated to improving and becoming more fit. He is a leader on the field who is very involved in motivating the team, not just during the good times. A positive influence, he does not back down from challenges. He's also a smart player, carrying a 3.5 GPA.</span> <h5><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Alexis Garcia, Senior, Attacking Midfield</span></strong></h5> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Garcia, a 4.0 student, is a crafty, resilient and fast attacking mid. He's hungry for goals, he can create and can shoot with either foot. However, he puts his team first and elevates the players around him.</span> <h5><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Yahir De Leon, Senior, Center Back/Outside Back</span></strong></h5> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Another really smart kid, carrying a 3.8 GPA, he is a defender who is great at getting out of a messy situation. He's also skilled in getting the ball forward, and has an incredible touch and passing accuracy.</span> <h5><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Bryan Gutierrez, Senior, Keeper</span></strong></h5> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Gutierrez is one of the most respected players on the team. He's been the keeper with this group of teammates for quite some time, and he earns his respect for training as hard as he does. He inspires his teammates and is willing to put it all on the line for his team come matchday.</span> <h5><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Mason Holbrook, Senior, Center Back</span></strong></h5> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Holbrook is a player who has a deep, sophisticated understanding of the game. He is a very intelligent player who is very good at directing his teammates on the field. He's great in the air when it comes to winning balls in the air, and helps Gutierrez keep the activity in his box to a minimum. He also has a brother, Hayden, who is a sophomore on the team.</span>