Torrey Pines High School senior Dominic Rocha was recently named the MVP of the varsity Falcon football squad, honored by his teammates and coaching staff last month. The Falcons went 4-6 on the season and reached the CIF San Diego Section Division 1 playoffs where they lost to Poway.
Dominic Rocha,Torrey Pines football team MVP and soccer team captain. (Anna Scipione)
“I felt very excited and honored that my teammates thought I made the biggest impact. As well as my coaches on and off the field.” said Dominic, who plays on both sides of the ball as a defensive back and wide receiver.
Dominic said his hard work and dedication throughout the off-season is what made him so successful this year. He had 965 all-purpose yards and scored seven touchdowns this season —a highlight was a 99-yard return against San Pasqual.
“Dom was always full throttle,” said Coach Scott Ashby. “He was always giving his best effort and encouraged his teammates to give theirs.”
Playing varsity football for the Torrey Pines Falcons was a dream of Dominic’s since he was a kindergartner playing flag football. As a sophomore, he was named the MVP of the JV team and that year he was called up to the varsity squad for the playoffs.
“I will never forget the locker room with the boys and bus rides back from the W’s,” Dominic said of what he will take away from his high school football career.
Next up for the dual sport athlete is the Torrey Pines soccer season, where Dominic is a team captain and plays goalkeeper. After graduating high school, Dominic plans to study abroad in Spain and to get his real estate license.