Peak Performer of the Week: Harrison’s Carlos Preciado using past experience to push Panthers
A showdown with Gateway provided a learning experience for Carlos Preciado.
During his freshman year, he was thrust into action because of injuries on the football squad. The now-junior tailback aimed to make the most of it, but his run fell just short of the goal line on fourth down, and Harrison lost by a touchdown.
Fast forward to today, and Preciado is coming off a 189-yard, four-touchdown performance against Sierra to secure the Superintendent’s Cup for the 12th straight year.
He’s also The Gazette’s Peak Performer of the Week for his efforts in pushing Harrison into the CHSAA 3A football playoffs and to a 3A League 1 title.
“This team and line is just opening holes for me,” Preciado said. “I got coached up early on, and have had good running back coaches (for years) and they’ve really helped me.”
The sport, as a whole, started as a side gig for Preciado.
His dad wanted him to find an activity, something to keep him active and involved. He picked football, and started playing in third grade after moving from Kansas, beginning as a defensive end before moving to running back as a seventh grader.
As a visual learner, Preciado needed to watch the position — the way a tailback hits a hole, or even the process of picking a running lane beforehand.
The more he had learned, the better he has gotten.
“The more he’s worked, the more he’s appreciated the process,” coach Rob Leboeuf said. “He came up for us his freshman year and we knew he would be a player for years to come. Because he came up short early (in his career), he’s played with a chip on his shoulder.”
The work ethic has helped players around him.
Preciado ran for 160-or-more yards in each of the last four weeks as part of Harrison’s eight-game win streak after two early losses to Widefield and The Classical Academy.
He’s crossed the goal line eight times in that span, and is up to 13 rushing touchdowns as the Panthers head into a playoff bout on the road against Durango.
“Carlos is really smart, and he’s probably one of the smartest on the field, but he doesn’t overthink it,” senior quarterback Diego Watt said. “We all take after that, because a lot of us think too much instead of playing.
“Every time he breaks off a big run, it gets our team rolling. He takes a lot of pressure off of me — it makes my job easier.”
While waiting prior to the Peak Performer photo shoot, Preciado was dancing to Harrison’s stadium music during special teams warm-ups.
His gold mouth guard turns heads, but it’s the ripped practice jersey that symbolizes Preciado’s determination. He’s looking to be an inspiration to Harrison football, and push the Panthers just as he was pushed from his first year at the school.
Something special is brewing for the junior, even if it’s not football related.
“If that kid practices and treats life like he treats the game of football, he’ll be successful,” Leboeuf said. “The sky is the limit for what he can be in life.”
Harrison High School’s running back Carlos Preciado before practice on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. (The Gazette, Parker Seibold)
Harrison High School’s running back Carlos Preciado posed for a portrait before practice on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. (The Gazette, Parker Seibold)