OUTSTANDING PLAYER: BOYS SOCCER...........

WHY HE WON:

With a quiet determination, one Jonesboro High School soccer player broke records and set the standard for future performance. Sophomore striker Joe Pacheco scored a state-record 56 goals this season for the Golden Hurricane and secured his place as the 2017 All-Arkansas Preps Boys Soccer Player of the Year. “I feel very happy for winning it,” he said. “I’m proud of myself.” In addition to his record-breaking season, Pacheco also had 29 assists this year. Coach Justin Cook said Pacheco hoped to get more assists this season. “He’s super unselfish,” Cook said. “He was actually kind of mad that he didn’t get more assists. We had to stay on him about shooting because he’s such a good scorer. All he wanted to do was pass the ball.” Pacheco, 5-11, said he likes assisting rather than scoring because it makes him happy to see his fellow teammates do well. Cook said he first encountered Pacheco while the coach was at the junior high scouting the eighth-graders who were preparing to move to the high school. After watching him play for two years, Cook knew he was getting a great player in Pacheco. His freshman year, Pacheco scored 32 goals with 19 assists for the Golden Hurricane. “We’re excited we get him back for two more years,” Cook said. “The sky is the limit for him.” Cook said what makes Pacheco a great player is his versatility. He can play any position, and he is great with both feet, the coach said. He said Pacheco’s best attribute is his ability to read the goal keeper, choose the best angle and put the ball in the back of the net. This season, Pacheco averaged 2.4 goals per game and 1.3 assists per game. In his varsity career, Pacheco has netted 87 goals and dished out 46 assists. Pacheco displayed discipline on the field by showing up early to practice and staying late, Cook said. This summer, he is focusing on improving his game. This season, Jonesboro won its conference but fell to Russellville in the second round of the state tournament. He said that next year, he would like the team to win the state title.