PORT ANGELES — The district playoff game between Port Angeles and Sumner was a perfect example of what made Anthony Brandon so dangerous.
“At any point in the game, he’s able to make the impact play,” Roughriders coach Chris Saari said.
With a trip to the state tournament on the line, Sumner and Port Angeles were tied and went to a sudden-death overtime period.
After neither team scored, they went to another.
As the clocked ticked down in that extra period, Brandon scored to clinch the Roughriders’ first trip to state in 12 years.
Brandon, the All-Peninsula boys soccer MVP for the second consecutive year, can flat-out score.
This season, he racked up 18 goals. As a junior, he scored 11.
In a game against Olympic this year, Brandon tallied four goals.
What’s his secret to success?
“Speed,” Brandon said. “I’m pretty quick, so I get the ball and run with the ball.”
But he also has a knack for scoring goals in important moments and important games.
Besides his state-clincher, Brandon also scored both of his team’s goals in the Roughriders’ 2-0 playoff-opening win over Clover Park.
Saari points out that Brandon also scored big-time goals in games against rival Sequim the last few years.
This knack might be something that just came natural or it could be luck, but Brandon spent a lot of time honing his skills.
Brandon was a team captain the last two years, and Saari said the star forward led by example by working hard, which was shown when he usually finished first in conditioning drills.
“Anthony was willing to work,” Saari said. “He brought his lunch pail every day.
“He was able to balance working hard with having fun without it being screwing off.
“If you had 11 of him, you wouldn’t complain.”
Saari said the Port Angeles coaching staff quickly recognized Brandon’s abilities, quickly advancing him from the JV team to varsity early in his freshman season.
Since then, it seems everyone else has noticed.
Along with winning his second All-Peninsula MVP, Brandon was also named to the All-Olympic League first-team for the second straight year.
He won the Port Angeles offensive player of the year outright for the second year in a row.
Brandon genuinely appreciates the honors, but as you would expect from a two-time team captain, he recognizes those awards wouldn’t be possible without the rest of the Roughriders.
“I like that I’ve been seen and people recognize it,” Brandon said.
“I’ve had great coaching all four years and teammates who helped me accomplish my goals.”
Brandon said Saari, the All-Peninsula boys soccer coach of the year, often told him, “Just play your game and use your ability to help the team.”
And Saari didn’t take Brandon’s production for granted.
“He’s just the whole package,” Saari said. “He’ll be really hard to replace.
“Putting the ball in the back of the net is what I’ll miss most.”
