Marysville-Pilchuck’s Chavez has the ‘feet of a king’

Published 10:54 pm Thursday, May 28, 2009

On the first day of practice this spring, the new guy instantly stood out.

The Marysville-Pilchuck High School boys soccer team’s established stars were all there, including captains Seth Jones, Brady Ballew and Jeff Jensen. They stared wide-eyed at a tall, lanky newcomer. He clearly had talent, but who was he? And where the heck did he come from?

“He was taking kids out left and right and not holding anything back,” said Jensen, a senior defender. “It was like, ‘Who is this kid?’ Nobody had seen him before.”

Said Ballew, a junior midfielder: “The kid was just a little superstar. We were all worried about (how) he’s going to take our spot.”

The new guy, they quickly learned, was Kevin Chavez. The senior moved to Marysville from Los Angeles before his junior year but did not try out for the team in 2008. Until this spring, Chavez had never played high school soccer.

But look at him now: With six goals and five assists this season, the forward has played a crucial role for a Tomahawks team that made program history by winning division and district titles, and earning its first two state-tournament victories.

Chavez has been especially valuable in the playoffs, scoring a goal in both of M-P’s district-tournament triumphs. He had the game-winner in the Tomahawks’ 1-0 win over Kamiak in the district title game.

In M-P’s most recent contest — a 3-2 victory over Issaquah in the Class 4A state quarterfinals — Chavez scored the deciding penalty kick in a shootout.

Next for unbeaten M-P (18-0-2) are the Class 4A semifinals. Ranked 16th in the nation in the May 12 National Soccer Coaches Association of America/adidas poll, the Tomahawks play South Kitsap (13-3-1) at 6 p.m. today at Harry Lang Stadium in Lakewood. The other 4A semifinal pits Woodinville (10-3-4) against the nation’s No. 2-ranked team, Pasco (17-0). The winners play for the championship at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Before Chavez and his family moved to Marysville, he never imagined he would have a chance to play for a state soccer title. Growing up in South Central L.A., life was rough, Chavez said. His older brother plunged into gang life and even Chavez briefly joined a gang. Chavez said he witnessed several drive-by shootings.

“It was a tough time for us,” he said.

But his family — his mother, father and two brothers — moved out and landed in Marysville. Chavez played a year of select soccer in California but other than that just competed in loosely organized pick-up games. He considered trying out for M-P’s team last year but his part-time job as a busboy in a restaurant got in the way, he said.

But this year, with encouragement from former M-P athletic director and current administrator Josh Rosenbach, Chavez quit his job, improved his grades to ensure he would be eligible and made the team.

Since then, everything has changed.

“He’s found some friends that keep him out of trouble. He keeps himself focused in school. It’s been rewarding to see him be able to turn his life around,” M-P boys soccer coach Geoff Kittle said.

It didn’t take long — maybe 30 minutes into that first practice, Ballew estimated — for returning players to accept Chavez.

“He’s got the feet of a king. We’re so glad to have him here,” Ballew said. “He’s been huge for us.”

In a way, Chavez’s lack of formal soccer training is an asset. He uses more creativity and improvisation with the ball than most players.

“It gives us just something a little different up front,” Kittle said.

One of many dangerous playmakers on a team that has outscored foes 61-19, Chavez “added a whole new dimension to our team and our attack and what we could do,” Jones said.

Chavez said knowing his teammates appreciate him so much makes him play better. He is making friends and following a positive path in his new life.

“We’re just a big family,” Chavez said. “We go out there and work hard and play together as a team.”

Mike Cane: 425-339-3471, mcane@heraldnet.com. Check out the prep sports blog Double Team at cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/heraldnet/doubleteam.