As a tradition, the varsity boy’s soccer team awards freshman unique nicknames. However, these names usually fade away after the season ends.

This year’s nicknames include Juan-Bon [freshman Juan Rueles] and Goose [freshman Austin Maddux]. However, the most well-known nickname school-wide belongs to a junior. Andrew Evan’s nickname, Tall Freshman, has stuck, it was first given to him by head coach Matt Markarian.

“For the first day of practice I came out and coach couldn’t remember my name, and the first thing he thought of was ‘Tall Freshman’,” Evans said. “When we had a game at Grizzles stadium, my little sister was cheering for me and she called me Tall Freshman. Once Matt noticed it he said, ‘that’s a keeper’ and it’s been with me ever since.”

Many kids participate in soccer because they see their older siblings playing, but according to Evans, he was extremely hyper as a child and needed to be involved in lots of activities.

“When I was eight my parents noticed that I was very active with lots of extra energy,” Evans said. “They decided to sign me up for soccer so when I was at home I would be a little bit calmer.”

In Evans’ first year of varsity soccer, he played outside midfielder, but his sophomore year he found his knack as a marking back.

“I started out playing outside midfielder, which is basically just running up and down the field the entire game,” Evans said. “Then last year I moved to marking back. I like defense a lot more because there’s less running.”

Even though Evans’ soccer team has struggled the past few years without many wins, he chooses to stick with it and keep the program going. In addition to helping the soccer program progress, the brotherhood on the team attracts Evans to the game.

“The camaraderie of the team is an important aspect of the game,” Evans said. “We go through intense fitness and during that we encourage each other to keep on going. This creates a special bond between us. We also just joke and mess around – that’s lots of fun.”

Senior captain Gerald Bell has played with Evans for three years now and views Evans’ attitude towards hard work as his best quality.

“He has a really good work ethic,” Bell said. “It’s a really good thing because it encourages all the other kids not to slack off. He’s gotten a lot better because he has such a good work ethic.”

Bell says Evans is a fun-loving guy and enjoyable to be around.

“I’m more comfortable with him because he’s easy and fun to talk with and very outgoing and loud,” Bell said. “We’ll joke around because he’s funny and has good one-liners.”

Markarian has conducted the program for the last 16 years and for the last three seasons has coached Evans. He says Evans developed immensely over the years and is becoming a leader.

“When he [Evans] came out as a freshman he was kind of a tall kid who was athletic but didn’t know how to play soccer all that well,” Markarian said. “He’s developed into one of our better defenders and really has an understanding of what’s going on. He’s now someone I can really count on.”

Markarian hosts a Bible study once a week during the season which Evans says helps him walk nearer to the Lord.

“The Bible study has been a great opportunity to grow closer to teammates and God,” Evans said. “Often times it is for us to include the spiritual aspect in the sport and play for Christ every minute of the game. This study encourages us to keep each other accountable.”

The majority of the teams FC plays, struggle with foul language. Evans sees this as an opportunity for him to spread Christ.

“A lot of the teams we play have problems with their language,” Evans said. “I’ve been trying to be a light with the way I speak and the way I play the game, all to glorify God.”

For more information, check out the Boy’s soccer sport shorts.