It’s tough to have to transfer schools, especially during high school.

    It’s even harder when you transfer from a school that just won a state soccer championship, and enroll at its cross-town rival.

    That is what Blackfoot senior forward Andy Garcia did at the end of the 2011 season. After being a member of Snake River’s 3A boys state soccer title team, Garcia and his family moved to Blackfoot. That meant he and his little brother Jordan would change schools for Garcia’s senior season.

    It did not seem to have much affect on his game, however, as he scored 29 goals, helped lead the Broncos to the 4A Fifth/Sixth District Championship and the consolation championship in the 4A state soccer tournament.

    For his efforts this season, Garcia has been named the Idaho State Journal Boys’ Soccer Player of the Year.

    “It is a great accomplishment,” Garcia said. “I was hoping to win another state championship this year, even though we did not it feels really good to be recognized for the season I had.”

    Garcia was the main cog in the Broncos’ attack all year, helping lead the team to a final record of 15-2-1.

    “My goal was to try and win a state championship this season,” Garcia said. “But after we lost the first game at state this year, I did not get down. I refocused and told myself that I was going to make sure we brought a trophy back to Blackfoot.”

    Garcia and the Broncos did just that, winning the consolation championship in a 5-3 penalty kick shootout over Jerome.

    “It was a lot tougher competition this year playing in 4A,” Garcia said. “I knew coming in that it was going to be tough to help the team repeat as champions, and after the first game at state that we lost I realized just how tough it was.”

    Garcia has had quite the high school soccer career.

    He was a member of Snake River’s 3A Fifth District championship team as a freshman, but it was eliminated after two games at the state tournament.

    Garcia did not play as a sophomore as he instead went to Mexico to try out for a Mexican club team.

    He returned to Snake River for his junior season and again won a district title and helped lead the Panthers to the 2011 3A state title.

    “I have had a very successful high school career,” Garcia said. “I had the chance to be on some very good teams and was fortunate enough to win a bunch of championships.”

    Garcia also has had the privilege of playing with his younger brother Jordan.

    “It has definitely been a good opportunity to play with my brother,” Garcia. “He is two years younger than me and we think a lot alike. We kind of have a sixth sense and know were each other is going to be when we are on the field. Even though we play different positions, our styles of play are very similar.”

    Garcia was also quick to give a lot of credit for the team’s success to Blackfoot head coach Liam Pope.

    “We always wanted to impress (him),” Garcia said. “He would tell us the stories about when he played and that always made us want to work harder and be better players. Liam gives great motivational speeches.”

    After graduation Garcia knows he wants to continue playing the beautiful game, but is unsure of the route to continue to do so.

    He said he wants to try out for a Major League Soccer team, many of which have soccer academies where a player can live and work year round to improve his skills.

    The other option is to hopefully get a college scholarship.

    “I hope I get a scholarship,” Garcia said. “I know the college I want to go to, I just hope I get an offer.”

Player of the Year

Andy Garcia — Blackfoot

First Team

Josh Goodwin — Century

Reece Foulkrod — Century

Ozzy Oseguera — Blackfoot

Everado Bartolo — Blackfoot

Daniel Vega — American Falls

Teddy Olenick — Highland

Cody Knudsen — Highland

Jorge Sanchez — Preston

Shaun Turpin — Snake River

James Goettsche — Pocatello

Juan Torres — Aberdeen

Second Team

Colby Hendrickson — Preston

Dalton Lloyd — Preston

Dan Mende — Century

Tyler Hoffa — Century

Jesse Ortega — Snake River

Kaden Belnap — Marsh Valley

Tyler Weaver — Marsh Valley

Nathan Santos — Highland

Jesus Pelayo — Blackfoot

Carlos Lozada — Pocatello

Ezequiel Ortiz — Aberdeen