Islas Eligible for Santa Ana Valley

Santa Ana Valley soccer player Francisco Islas, whose age was questioned by Orange High, was declared eligible Friday by Santa Ana Valley Principal Robert Nelson. Islas, a Times All-County player last year, received a birth certificate Friday that indicated he was born in 1976, making him 17 years old. Administrators at Orange High had claimed Islas was born in 1974.

Karen Hellyer, a Southern Section administrator, said: “(Santa Ana Valley) apparently has verified that the kid is 17 years old. They’re going to be forwarding that information to the office.”

Islas, who has scored 11 goals this season, had missed Valley’s last six games while his eligibility was being questioned.