Del Sol’s silent leader primed for state championship

By Case Keefer (contact)

Friday, Dec. 4, 2009 | 2 a.m.

Evan Weinstock isn’t the typical high school football standout.

Although he’s Del Sol’s leader on the field, Weinstock is not known for fiery speeches. Heck, Weinstock barely even talks.

“I didn’t even know he was on the team his sophomore year because he barely spoke three words,” Del Sol coach Preston Goroff said.

It didn’t take long for Goroff to figure it out, though. It was impossible to miss Weinstock in practice.

The wide receiver/defensive back worked harder than everyone else. He never took a break.

“He’s so self-motivated,” Goroff said. “He goes 100-mile-per-hour speed all the time. You never see him let up.”

Weinstock will employ that same style of play when Del Sol meets Bishop Gorman at 12:07 Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium for the state championship.

It’s a game Weinstock has dreamed of playing in. The Dragons came close both his sophomore and junior years but lost to Las Vegas in the Sunrise Region Championship both seasons.

Although many consider Del Sol (12-1) a major underdog to Gorman (14-0), Weinstock disagrees. He thinks the Dragons can excel against the Gaels where other teams struggled.

“They’re pretty big and a lot of teams, I feel like go into the game scared,” Weinstock said. “They are definitely beatable. We have a good chance to go into it and win.”

For that to happen, Weinstock would have to put together a huge game both offensively and defensively. He has more than 800 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns on the season and is equally as effective defensively.

Weinstock said Del Sol’s practices had been more intense than ever in preparation for Gorman.

“This experience is something that only happens once,” Weinstock said. “Everything is so crazy everywhere, but we definitely have to stay focused.”

Weinstock is not intimidated and he knows his attitude rubs off on the rest of the team.

Weinstock could be the only Del Sol senior to play football past the state championship game. He has an offer to play next year at Northern Arizona, but has not made a decision.

“I’m thinking about track as an option, so this might be my last football game,” Weinstock said. “But it’s going to be amazing. We’re looking forward to it.”

Win or lose, Goroff said Weinstock’s legacy at Del Sol is sealed. He will always be remembered as a go-to guy that the Dragons looked toward in critical moments.

Weinstock will never forget those plays. He’ll also never forget this season.

“It’s just amazing,” Weinstock said. “A lot of people didn’t think we’d be a very good team this year, but we’ve come together.”

Weinstock, no doubt, is a major reason why.