Keenan Lucero, an integral part in Carmel's run to a Central Coast Section football title in 2009, died in a car accident on Saturday in Carmel Valley.
The Mission Trail Athletic League's Lineman of the Year as a senior in 2009, Lucero had five sacks and 83 tackles for the Padres.
A humble kid, Lucero was a three-year starter at Carmel and a 4.0 student, finishing his first year of college. Three other kids in the car survived the accident.
John Devine has been writing about high school sports in Monterey County since, well, practically since he was an athlete at King City in the days just after leather helmets. In PrepNation, John has even more in-depth analysis of the latest results and news he's brought to you in The Herald and in his weekly videos.
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4 comments:
I’m usually pretty good with words. This is not easy.
Tragedy struck Saturday night.
A wonderful young man was killed. Another critically injured. A third suffered severe injuries. And a fourth will live with the psychological scars of this accident for the rest of his life.
Three of those involved were my friends. Certainly not as close to me as they are (or were) to my son. But friends because I had the honor and privilege of coaching them on the football field. Friends because they came to our house. Friends who whenever we ran into each other around town we’d always stop and catch up with what was going on in our lives.
Keenan Lucero died much too soon. He was an outstanding young man. (And I don’t use that word “outstanding” lightly.) He was quiet until you got to know him. Intelligent. Hard working. Terrific character. Good natured. Humble. Loyal. Well mannered. Honest. Sweet. And when he gave you that smile it just made you smile too.
On the football field, Keenan was a player. (And I don’t use the word “player” lightly.) Number 57. He was instrumental in Carmel becoming a championship team. Undersized as a defensive lineman he made up for it with smarts, quickness, and a drive that would just not allow him to quit. Keenan was a leader who did it by example. He was tough…worked as hard as anybody on the team in practice and never took a play off in a game. He was the rock you could count on in 2006 as the JV team went undefeated, in 2007 when he started on the defensive line as a sophomore, in 2008 when Carmel won its first MTAL championship in many years, and in 2009 when Keenan’s Padres went 12 and 0 while winning their first section title. Keenan was a first team selection on the All MTAL Team in 2008, and was both the MTAL’s Lineman of the Year and on the Salinas Californian’s All County Team in 2009. I will always recall the many times I heard Mr. Pal announcing at home games…”Keenan Lucero on that stop”.
Keenan will be missed. And he will be remembered in the hearts of all of us who knew him for the rest of our days.
So sad...I ache for Keenan's family. I remember chatting with his dad as our kids practiced. Thanks for the tribute, Coach!
I agree. Well said CarmeKyd
It is a sad day for the Padres. Keenan Lucero was not only a beast on the field, but a top student and friend to all. He walked his talk and set an example for adults, teachers and fellow students on campus. This young man had great character. He displayed a level of humility and maturity far beyond his years. His memory will live on, as we don't see too many students who excel in as many areas Keenan. Our condolences to his family. You will be long remembered Keenan!
Mr. Pall / Principal CHS Retired
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