The final Impact Player Award for October goes to Jose Luquin. Luquin is a mid-fielder on the Weed Cougars soccer team, and is one of the main reasons why the Cougars are the most improved team in Siskiyou County this season—in any sport.

Suffering through years of mediocrity or worse, the Cougars have become one of the top soccer teams in the Shasta Cascade League, as well as in the North Section’s small schools division.

I’d put up stats for Luquin, but he’s really not a stats kind of player. Don’t get me wrong. he can score, and does. Luquin scored a pressure-packed, game-winning goal in the Cougars’ early season upset of Tulelake. But what he does on an everyday basis is much more important. He provides leadership and stability.

“Jose is an all around player. Offense, defense, he does everything asked of him, and then some,” said Weed Coach Mike Gilmore. “He’s a leader. He’s always helping the younger players improve. Jose’s a wonderful kid.”

The Impact Player Award is given on a monthly basis and goes to Siskiyou County high school athletes, male or female, that have had a significant impact on the success of their team. I select the players based on my own observations, often in consultation with the player’s coaches, as I did this time around.

A total of four awards are given each month and are not school specific; they can go to a player at any school that Siskiyou Youth covers. Winners receive Impact T-shirts that were designed by Golden Grotto. The T-shirts and award are cosponsored by Siskiyou Youth and NorCal Classic Hits radio 102.3/101.7.

Previous winners this month were Mt. Shasta’s Miguel Rodriguez, Alex Case from Etna, and Cory Knowles from Dunsmuir.

So, that’s it for October. And yes, I know I didn’t pick any girls. Don’t worry; it’ll all even out by the end…probably.

Hmm, who will be the first girl to win the Impact Player Award?