Observer Preps Athlete of the Week: Candido Worrell

OCOEE The Ocoee High football team made the state playoffs for the first time this fall, meaning that for someone like Candido Worrell — the Knights’ placekicker for football who also plays on the soccer team — the wait to transition from his fall sport to his winter sport was even longer than usual.

“It was sort of tough, because my body was tired and I had to go on to play a different sport,” Worrell said. “I love soccer, I would do anything to play that sport.”

Despite being in just his third game of the season, Worrell — our ObserverPreps.com Athlete of the Week — accomplished a first for his career Dec. 5: a hat-trick.

Worrell’s three goals against Dr. Phillips helped elevate the Knights (3-6, 3-1 in district) to a 3-0 victory in district competition. Worrell scored on assists from Andre Valencia and Rafael Torres, with his third goal coming on a penalty kick. 

Ocoee head coach Pete Moore believes it is the first hat-trick for the program in four years.

Even more impressive? Worrell, who played midfield for the Knights in past seasons and is a goalkeeper for his club team, is playing out of position.

“He’s playing out of position but it kind of fits his personality,” Moore said. “What we needed to do was figure out a way to give him the types of services he needed. … Physically, he’s almost impossible to stop. If he is on a good head of steam, people are going to struggle with him.”

Contact Steven Ryzewski at [email protected].