SAFFORD — Safford Sr. Derek Nabor’s name appears at least twice in the Eastern Arizona College history books.
He will be part of the school’s first men’s soccer team when play begins this fall.And he’s the first Graham County player to sign with the team.
“It’s very exciting; it’s kind of surreal at the moment,” Nabor said at a signing ceremony at Safford High School on Tuesday. We are ready to take the next step.”
Nabor finished the Bulldogs’ 2022-23 season as a striker with 27 points, including 12 goals and 3 assists. He was named 3A Southeast He Region First Team this year and was named 3A South Offensive Player of the Year and 3A First Team He All His Conference in his junior year.
He said his discussions with the coaching staff indicate that he is likely to remain a striker for the Gila Monsters.
EAC head coach Bobby Peters said Nabor stood out when he was recruiting for the first team.
“He’s athletic. He’s a fast player. He can move across the field with speed, but more importantly, he’s also technical,” Peters said. “He knows how to use the ball. He puts in the time and effort. Whenever we do clinics, he’s consistently been one of our top performers. “
Peters said he is looking for a blend of foreign-born and domestic players to fill the roster. One of them is Roberto Uribe, Nabor’s fellow Arizona and San Luis senior. A midfielder/winger, with the Sidewinders he scored 20 goals and eight assists and was named to the 6A First Team All-Conference and 6A Desert Southwest First Team.
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