“Despite everyone knowing who he is and what he can do, he still finds a way to get to the ball and that’s when he’s at his best. Leo with the ball at his feet is unlike any other player I’ve coached in the last 26 years. He is glued to that ball and just does things that are not in the script.”

Martin Cardenas

Head Coach - Head coach of Mariner High

Athletic Excellence

The 6-foot, 160-pound junior forward scored a school-record 47 goals and passed for 17 assists this past season, leading the Tritons (24-2-4) to the Class 3A state quarterfinals. The Class 3A Player of the Year, Perez recorded 13 multi-goal games, including seven hat tricks. An Allstate All-America selection, Perez was chosen to compete in July’s Allstate Cup in Orlando. He was also the 2018 News-Press All-Area Player of the Year.

Academic Achievement

Perez has maintained a weighted 3.90 GPA in the classroom. He will begin his senior year of high school this fall.

Exemplary Character

Perez has volunteered locally as a youth soccer coach.