Erik Diaz goes from futbol to football star at Belmont High

Erik Diaz is the accidental football player who has helped lead Belmont High, more known for its soccer and cross country success, to a 4-0 start and a No. 1 ranking in City Section Division III.

Diaz is one of the top soccer players in the City Section. As a sophomore, he was put into a seventh period football class by mistake. He decided to stay, work out and ended up liking it.

“It was an accident that turned out pretty good,” he said.

During the week, he has a couple double practices, working out with the football team, then leaving to work out with his club soccer team. He also maintains a 3.9 grade-point average.

“He started playing football as a hobby and found out he was pretty good at it,” Coach Gregg Barden said.

This season as a senior, he has rushed for more than 500 yards, scored 15 touchdowns and added two more touchdowns on interception returns.

He’s hoping to land a college scholarship for soccer but is enjoying his football experience.

Asked what’s better, getting a touchdown or scoring a goal, Diaz said, “The feeling is greater in football because of the excitement the team builds up and you can hear the crowd. It’s a different atmosphere.”

Belmont has never won a City title in football, but this season could be different. There’s lots of experience. Linebacker Bryan Hernandez, who’s only 5 feet 6, receiver Carlos Castillo and lineman Gerardo Chanax have also made major contributions.

Barden is an interesting case study in that he has been at Belmont for 23 years and spent 19 years as the junior varsity coach. “I was very happy doing JV,” he said. “It never occurred to me moving up.”

He was asked to take over the varsity in 2013.

Now with a soccer player leading the way, there’s fun times at Belmont High.

Twitter:@LATSondheimer