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Rio Hondo Prep in Arcadia is like “The Little Engine That Might.” The Kares are 13-0 and set to play for a seventeenth Southern Part soccer title on Saturday evening regardless of having a pupil physique of solely 150, of which 82 are boys. Their opponent within the Division 5 closing is host Redondo Union, which has a pupil physique of almost 3,000.
Coach Mark Carson mentioned he embraces the problem of his workforce shifting up, from successful Division 9 two years in the past to successful Division 7 final season after years of competing in Division XIII underneath outdated playoff techniques based mostly on dimension, geography and previous efficiency. Now a pc algorithm decides divisional placement. The college has grades seven by way of 12, so Carson begins coaching gamers in center faculty with the identical offense by way of highschool.
“The secret’s we’ve got an ideal center faculty sort out soccer program,” he mentioned.
Each boy within the faculty is aware of they’re going to play soccer or work in this system as a supervisor. Many are multiple-sport athletes. The chemistry and data they construct collectively is clear on the soccer subject.
“We don’t actually take note of numbers on the opposite workforce,” Carson mentioned.
Quarterback Yanick Diaz mentioned he has been with a few of his teammates since kindergarten. They belief one another.
“I’ve recognized a few of these guys for 15, 16 years,” Diaz mentioned. “It’s nonetheless 11 versus 11. I’ll take my 11 over yours.”
This can be a each day have a look at the optimistic happenings in highschool sports activities. To submit any information, please e mail eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.
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