LA JOLLA – Nearly every La Jolla Country Day touchdown is followed by what seems to be a cannon blast.
It's not from pyrotechnics set off by a mascot on the sidelines. The sound emanates from the booming kickoffs of Torreys senior Zach Wolfenzon.
About 80 percent of Wolfenzon's kicks sail into the end zone for touchbacks, forcing opponents to start at their own 20-yard line.
“It allows us to play aggressive defense,” La Jolla Country Day coach Jeff Hutzler said.
The Torreys (6-3, 2-1 Pacific League) host Tri-City Christian at 7 p.m. tomorrow in their final game of the regular season.
La Jolla Country Day's confidence in Wolfenzon prompts an unorthodox strategy during the coin toss.
“If we win the toss, we always defer and give them the ball,” Hutzler said. “Then we get the ball to start the second half.”
Football is not Wolfenzon's No. 1 sport.
“Soccer is my real passion,” he said.
Next fall, Wolfenzon plans to attend Harvard, where he will give up football and concentrate solely on bending it like Beckham.
Wolfenzon's college decision came down to Harvard, Yale or Princeton – kind of like choosing between a Mercedes, BMW or Jaguar. After visiting each school, he said the choice became clear.
“I just saw myself there,” Wolfenzon said of Harvard's campus in Cambridge, Mass. “The city gave me a good vibe and I found it was somewhere I would love to spend the next four years.”
Differences in dynamics between kicking a football and a soccer ball are pretty simple, said Wolfenzon, who maintains a 3.91 grade-point average.
“Soccer involves more strength,” he said. “You get a quick look at the goal and let it rip. With football, you have to be more fundamentally sound.”
When asked if he would rather play for Manchester United or the Pittsburgh Steelers, Wolfenzon hesitated briefly before answering.
“It would be totally cool to play in the NFL, but it would be awesome to play professional soccer,” said Wolfenzon, who added with a laugh, “although I prefer Chelsea.”
Wolfenzon scored 31 goals last season. His 53 career goals are 10 shy of the school record, held by John Hillman. Wolfenzon also has a chance to surpass the 62 goals scored by former teammate Tim Sedwitz, who is enrolled at Princeton and could be an Ivy League opponent next year.
Wolfenzon was one of three juniors named to the All-San Diego Section first team last soccer season. He also earned a spot on the Union-Tribune All-Academic Team.
“My parents have always taught me academics come first,” he said. “You go to school to learn, not just for athletics.”
Wolfenzon is undecided on a major. His parents are lawyers, but he's not leaning in that direction.
“I've always liked to work with money,” Wolfenzon said.
In four years he would like to see himself in a situation similar to where he is today – with plenty of options and a bright future.
And if that includes a chance to make a living kicking a soccer ball?
“You never know, if it presents itself,” he said. “It's every kid's dream to play professional sports.”
