Dos Carlos.
The moniker bestowed on the high-scoring, talented soccer playing duo at Van Horn High School known by their given names of Carlos Borders and Carlos Contreras has caught on in the Eastern Jackson County area for their abilities to not only find the net but control the offensive area of the field for the Falcons, who are 9-10 heading into tonight’s “All-City” showdown against Fort Osage at Independence All School Stadium.
Contreras has at time this season electrified crowds and in the same breath had his head coach thanking the high school soccer gods for the senior transfer from Kansas City East.
“He is a special player,” Falcons head coach Chris Corrie said of Contreras, who has netted 25 goals so far this season. “He is the most complete offensive player in the city.”
Corrie would know a special player when he sees one. Last season, Corrie coached Yacine Hamchaoui, whose 69 goals in 2008 tied a state record. Corrie said the burden of replacing Hamchaoui – now a player at Metropolitan Community College-Blue River – initially fell upon returning forward Alex Mondragon, but that plan was scratched when Mondragon suffered a knee injury this summer that cost him his senior season at Van Horn.
In stepped Contreras, a lightning-fast forward with uncanny ability to find the net.
“Nothing or nobody can replace Yacine,” Corrie said. “He is a once-in-a-lifetime player, but (Contreras) has more than made up for the lost of Alex. He’s really surprised us.”
Contreras said he has his sights on not only playing soccer in college, but beyond.
“That’s my dream, being a professional soccer player,” Contreras said. “A higher level of soccer is in my future.”
Contreras said Borders has made him a better player. Borders has 12 goals this season and 16 assists, many to Contreras.
“It’s great,” Contreras said of working with Borders, a returning starter for the Falcons. “He takes lot of pressure off of me. He takes care of a lot of the dirty work, and I finish. I’m happy I have him as a teammate.”
Corrie said Borders is unequivocally the hardest working Falcon and one of the most complete players in the area.
“No one competes like him,” Corrie said. “He competes like a college player. He knows when to turn it on. His tactical skills have gotten better since last season and I am really happy with his progress.”
Borders said his running mate Contreras is a “heck of a player.”
“I just pass the ball to him and move out of the way,” Borders said, adding he too has aspirations above the high school level. “College. I want a scholarship. This is something I want to do as I go on.”
Earlier this season Corrie labeled the Dos Carlos duo as piano players and the back nine piano movers. Corrie’s rationale was that he likes to let his high-scoring forwards attack the opposing goalie while the other nine protects the Falcons’ goal.
“It’s fantastic,” Corrie said of the unique strategy and partnership. “They make it possible to attack with only two players.”
With a win already in the bag this season over William Chrisman and a loss in overtime to Truman, Corrie said Van Horn – which is in its last season competing as an independent – would love nothing better than to defeat Fort Osage tonight and stake claim to unofficial Independence City Champions for 2009.
The Falcons become members of the Crossroads Conference in 2010-2011.
“This is a big game,” Corrie said of the contest against the Indians. “A big one right before districts.”
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Dos Carlos.
The moniker bestowed on the high-scoring, talented soccer playing duo at Van Horn High School known by their given names of Carlos Borders and Carlos Contreras has caught on in the Eastern Jackson County area for their abilities to not only find the net but control the offensive area of the field for the Falcons, who are 9-10 heading into tonight’s “All-City” showdown against Fort Osage at Independence All School Stadium.
Contreras has at time this season electrified crowds and in the same breath had his head coach thanking the high school soccer gods for the senior transfer from Kansas City East.
“He is a special player,” Falcons head coach Chris Corrie said of Contreras, who has netted 25 goals so far this season. “He is the most complete offensive player in the city.”
Corrie would know a special player when he sees one. Last season, Corrie coached Yacine Hamchaoui, whose 69 goals in 2008 tied a state record. Corrie said the burden of replacing Hamchaoui – now a player at Metropolitan Community College-Blue River – initially fell upon returning forward Alex Mondragon, but that plan was scratched when Mondragon suffered a knee injury this summer that cost him his senior season at Van Horn.
In stepped Contreras, a lightning-fast forward with uncanny ability to find the net.
“Nothing or nobody can replace Yacine,” Corrie said. “He is a once-in-a-lifetime player, but (Contreras) has more than made up for the lost of Alex. He’s really surprised us.”
Contreras said he has his sights on not only playing soccer in college, but beyond.
“That’s my dream, being a professional soccer player,” Contreras said. “A higher level of soccer is in my future.”
Contreras said Borders has made him a better player. Borders has 12 goals this season and 16 assists, many to Contreras.
“It’s great,” Contreras said of working with Borders, a returning starter for the Falcons. “He takes lot of pressure off of me. He takes care of a lot of the dirty work, and I finish. I’m happy I have him as a teammate.”
Corrie said Borders is unequivocally the hardest working Falcon and one of the most complete players in the area.
“No one competes like him,” Corrie said. “He competes like a college player. He knows when to turn it on. His tactical skills have gotten better since last season and I am really happy with his progress.”
Borders said his running mate Contreras is a “heck of a player.”
“I just pass the ball to him and move out of the way,” Borders said, adding he too has aspirations above the high school level. “College. I want a scholarship. This is something I want to do as I go on.”
Earlier this season Corrie labeled the Dos Carlos duo as piano players and the back nine piano movers. Corrie’s rationale was that he likes to let his high-scoring forwards attack the opposing goalie while the other nine protects the Falcons’ goal.
“It’s fantastic,” Corrie said of the unique strategy and partnership. “They make it possible to attack with only two players.”
With a win already in the bag this season over William Chrisman and a loss in overtime to Truman, Corrie said Van Horn – which is in its last season competing as an independent – would love nothing better than to defeat Fort Osage tonight and stake claim to unofficial Independence City Champions for 2009.
The Falcons become members of the Crossroads Conference in 2010-2011.
“This is a big game,” Corrie said of the contest against the Indians. “A big one right before districts.”
