ST. GEORGE — Dixie’s three championships in the past four seasons in the 3A soccer world are astonishing, considering the parity prevalent in the game of futbol. Unselfish players like Jose “Pepe” Garcia are the big reason why the Flyers are able to keep bringing home the trophy.
“Pepe’s the only player in the history of my 24 years of coaching that I had to beg to come off the defensive line and play offense,” Dixie coach Burt Myers said. “He’s sure made a big difference for our team. he’s made a lot of people look good.”
Garcia had six goals and a team-high nine assists in leading Dixie to a 15-3-3 record and a 3-0 win in the state championship over region rival Pine View.
“You know, I had to lie to him, too,” Myers said. “I told him I’d just play him a little bit of offense and then back to defense. But with Alex Green getting inured, we really needed Pepe up there and there really isn’t a stat for what he did for our team. His hustle, his making the pass that set up the pass for a goal, his winning the ball, wanting it more than the other guy — he did it all.”
Garcia was named the 3A MVP by the Deseret News and was one of six Flyers on the All-State first team, as voted on by the state’s coaches. Along with Garcia, Dixie placed forwards McLane Keenan and Tyler Bennett, defenders Konner Aitken and Colton Chamberlain and goalkeeper Ethan Poulton on the first team. Av’ry Green was a second-teamer for Dixie.
Other Region 9 stars making the 3A All-State first team were Pine View’s Michael Wade, Michael Cardenas and Ethan Baer and Snow Canyon’s Kevin Guevera Chillin.
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