Juan Gomez and Cris Chavez have known each other since they were 10. They’re good friends, and as such, they’re very competitive with one another.
At the start of their senior season in the fall of 2019, Gomez opened with a hat trick. He had bragging rights over Chavez, until a couple games later when Gomez suffered a knee injury and had to sit out.
“Hey man,” Chavez said, “I’m gonna pass you today.”
Chavez scored four goals that day. While Gomez only got to play in a handful of games before undergoing surgery on his knee, he made sure Chavez knew that was the only reason he couldn’t keep up with him.
While they shared good-natured ribbing, Gomez still showed up to practice every day and to all of the games to support his friend and fellow teammates.
“Even while he was hurt he pushed me to be a better player,” Chavez said. “He acted like a coach towards me and the team.”
The two friends will get to continue their playing careers together at the next level. Gomez officially committed to the University of South Carolina Salkehatchie in late April. It’s the same junior college that Chavez signed with in March.
“It’s pretty good,” Gomez said. “I didn’t get to play with him (much) senior year, so it will be pretty fun playing with him in college.”
‘Rocket left foot’
While Gomez didn’t get to take an official visit, he went on a weekend to check out the campus.
Chavez found out about the school and had FHS coach Matt Kolodzik reach out to USC Salk coach Bill Glass. Shortly after he officially committed, Chavez asked Glass if he needed any other players.
Glass said he did, and Chavez vouched for Gomez by telling him how he’s a really good person on and off the field who has a strong desire to play at the next level.
Glass is excited about Gomez’s potential.
“Juan brings a physicality to the pitch that is much needed for those transitioning from high school to college,” Glass said.
Gomez has played soccer since he was 3 or 4. He began his varsity career as a freshman by playing defense.
His all-time career highlight occurred that season in the third round of the 2-A NCHSAA playoffs. With Franklin leading Owen 1-0, Gomez scored a goal to help seal the win.
He played mostly midfield during his sophomore and junior campaigns, and Kolodzik moved him to forward for his senior year.
Being a left-foot dominant kicker, it worked out well to put Gomez on the right side of the field and Chavez on the left.
“He has a rocket left foot,” Kolodzik said of Gomez. “He’s a very smart player.”
Gomez played the No. 9 forward position. He ended up with four goals and three assists despite playing only a handful of games.
“He plays well with his back to the goal and he can be really physical with center backs,” Kolodzik said. “He can hold that ball so we can hopefully create an attack.”
Glass said Gomez’ advanced skills and ability to the read game from different positions are great attributes.
“Flexibility is another thing I like about Juan,” said Glass. “I like to keep my best 11 out there all through tough region matches and players often have to play out of position. One thing coaches love to hear is, ‘Put me wherever you need me, coach!’”
Gomez didn’t hear anything pop, and isn’t quite sure when he hurt his left knee. He knows it happened very early in the season. He visited a couple doctors who told him he could try to play through the pain, but eventually he would need to have surgery to repair his meniscus.
Gomez scored a goal against Tallulah Falls after returning, but he wasn’t anywhere close to being the same player. It was clearly frustrating for Gomez.
He opted to have surgery, which meant the end of his senior season.
“It kind of sucked,” Gomez said. “But I knew something was gonna happen after that and going to college.”
Gomez got cleared a few weeks ago. He’s been playing games with Chavez and a couple other friends, but he knows it will take some time to fully trust he’s recovered.
“It doesn’t hurt,” Gomez said. “but it gets very tired easily. I’m trying to build up my strength.”
Gomez is the son of Victor Gomez and Yolanda Montero. His parents own several businesses, including a Mexican restaurant, grocery store and ice cream shop.
When he’s not working, he enjoys hanging out with friends, playing soccer and pickup basketball.
He wants to get a business degree, likely in accounting. He’s pretty good at math and would enjoy being able to help his mom with business paperwork.
He thanked his parents for always being there and going to his games since he was little.
He thanked the two varsity head coaches he played for: Ken Neitz, for trusting him to start immediately as a freshman, and Kolodzik, for always being there for him.
Gomez also thanked assistant coaches, including Zach Barbus for pushing him in practice, and Ken Lane for always making him stronger and better.
Blair King, Franklin’s athletic director, also thanked some people who’ve been a positive influence to Gomez. This includes all of his teachers and coaches, but especially Kim Pinkston, an English as a second language teacher, and Kolodzik for pushing him and providing encouragement.
“I really do miss Juan right now,” King said. “I think I spoke to him daily when school was in. I love this opportunity he is getting after his senior campaign was cut short due to injury.”
Even when he was injured, the normally quiet Gomez showed why he was named a team captain.
“He was the epitome of leadership,” Kolodzik said. “He loved the team and he was there for them. He’s a team player, which you love as a coach.”
The Panthers have three players from last year’s team continuing their careers. Jacob Kolodzik is heading to Brevard College.
Gomez and Chavez will be teammates and roommates USC Salkehatchie.
That means there should be no shortage of competition. And both should benefit from having a friend to lean on when they take the next step in their journey.
“At first I was kinda like, ‘Whoa, it’s going to be weird not knowing anyone there,’” Chavez said. “And now that he’s coming along I feel like it won’t be as bad since we’ve been so close for years. We’re just going to be helping each other out and getting used to it.”