Huertas, Rodriguez take soccer award

Last night in Apollo Beach, Freedom forward Bobby Huertas and Newsome midfielder Rudi Rodriguez were named the Jose A. Alvarez Award winners as Hillsborough County's top male and female soccer players (as voted on by county coaches). Huertas, a senior who will play for Saint Leo, scored 36 goals for the Patriots, who reached the second round of the Class 5A playoffs. Rodriguez, who will play for Troy University, had five goals and five assists for a region finalist squad, but was known more for her defensive abilities. The award has been handed out 24 years, making it one of the area's oldest and most prestigious prep honors. Here's a photo of the two with Jose Alvarez, the man for whom the award is named. (photo courtesy of the Alvarez family).

-- KEITH NIEBUHR