When Gar-Field forward J.C. Cabrera broke a team rule and was suspended for one game in April, he could’ve let it turn into last season all over again. But Cabrera knows are bigger goals at stake.
“Watching that game, where you know you can have an impact on the game, definitely makes you think about the next time you’re about to do it,” said Cabrera, a speedy and talented forward who is helping the second-ranked Indians (12-1, 8-1 Cardinal District) put last season behind them as they prepare for tonight’s regular-season finale at Hylton.
Last season Gar-Field advanced to the Group AAA state quarterfinals. But its success was overshadowed by turmoil off the field after coach Gianni Grimaldi resigned and a number of starters, including Cabrera, quit or were suspended. But the outlook has changed, buoyed by last week’s 2-1 win over Forest Park.
“He could’ve taken all the negative from that,” said Indians coach Mark Markiewicz of Cabrera’s suspension. “But he — along with several other players — have taken the positive from it. It was an off-the-field issue, but I think he turned it into a positive, and he’s been great ever since.”
With his tireless work rate, Cabrera (8 goals, 4 assists) sets the tone on offense for Gar-Field. Senior Jon Painter and brothers Eber and Irvin Martinez, a junior and senior, round out one of the area’s most dangerous attacking quartets.
“A lot of people viewed us like we were bad because the articles last year and what happened with the coach,” said Cabrera. “This year everyone has noticed that we’ve changed. Now we don’t get into arguments on the field, none of that. We know that we have something special, and we can do something with it.”
