Making his way onto the field, senior Zion Chery showcases his talents both on and off the field, managing his studies with his athletic life. He was recognized as the athlete of the week after a remarkable performance on Aug. 22 with the Coral Gables varsity football team against the Ferguson Falcons. Chery scored three touchdowns and led the Cavaliers to their first-season victory.
As a kid, Chery’s interest in football was sparked by his older brother, spending most years competing with his sibling and other kids in the neighborhood, fostering a childhood love for the sport which he would continue to follow.
Chery has played football throughout high school, initially playing for Gables’ rivals Miami High for three years. Although he switched schools, he brought the skills he learned while playing there. The influence his coaches and teammates had on him shaped him to be the player he is today.
“Going into the game against Ferguson, I made sure to keep a positive mindset. I believe having confidence in yourself going into a game leads to a strong performance. I trusted both my abilities and teammates, knowing our teamwork and cooperation would lead to success,” senior Zion Chery said
Chery consistently made plays, and by the end of the game, he had scored three touchdowns, two of which were receiving and one rushing. The game resulted in a victory for the Cavaliers with a score of 25 to 6.
“As a player, Zion wants to help the team the best he can, playing any position he needs to. He does everything he can to win each and every game, even when injured, and he gives 100% in both games and practices. Ferguson’s game was probably the best I’ve seen Zion play from an offensive standpoint. Some of the plays I’ve seen were just unreal. Zion knew what he wanted before kickoff and made it happen,” senior Lebron Gonzalez said.
Not only has he been influenced by previous coaches, but also one of his former teammates, his brother. ‘King Chery’ helped him improve as a player throughout their two years playing together, making him more competitive.
Although this is his first year on the team, he has already left a mark on the team, being both a model teammate and player and while only having played a few games, his performance has been remarkable. As he continues to play as a Cavalier, his value on the team will be reflected by their scores.
Chery hopes to continue to play football in the future. He is especially interested in the University of Oregon due to their football team, the Oregon Ducks. Despite the few colleges he has in mind, he has not put much thought into them as he is hoping to receive offers from colleges.
“I hope to have the opportunity to play football in college and eventually make it to the professional league. With the team I’m surrounded by, I’m confident I have a chance,” senior Zion Chery said.
When he graduates, Chery hopes the impact he left on the team benefits them for many more years. The Cavaliers will continue to strive for victory, game by game, ensuring both a successful senior year and season for the football team. His message, “believe in yourself,” will continue to guide him through college and life.
