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Tapped In

Irving Decena, Staff Writer

Sep 15, 2025

From backyard matches to high school games, brothers Anthony and Jeremy Tapia share a connection that runs deeper than soccer. What began as two siblings kicking a ball around has now grown into something more, as they get to be on the field together once again.

Coach Antony Tapia played for the Trojans men’s soccer team and graduated in 2018. Anthony started his career at West in 2022, where he coached the junior varsity for two years. This year, Anthony got the promotion to be the new men’s soccer varsity coach. With this promotion, he got the opportunity to mentor his little brother, Jeremy, through the side lines

“I feel accomplished because it was a goal of ours that we have achieved,” said Anthony. “It’s rewarding, seeing your sibling develop a passion for soccer that we both share.”

Jeremy has been playing soccer for twelve years through academy and school ball. With this new soccer season starting Anthony and Jeremy have started the season 6-1 with a six game winning streak.With conference play starting next week, the Trojans and Tapia brothers are looking to keep that winning streak going.

“It means a lot to me to share this strong start with my teammates and my brother,” Jeremy said. “I feel like we can go very far this season and make the playoffs”.

Now, they may be brothers, but at the end of the day, he is still his coach. With Jeremy playing a big role on the pitch and being one of the team captains, he has to stay focused and locked in at practice and in game. Separating home life and soccer may be a challenging task for both, but they continue to grow and push each other.

“He’s always on me,” Jeremy said. “It’s a good thing most of the time, but sometimes it feels like all the pressure is on me because I’m his brother.”

Even though it isn’t always easy for Jeremy. He knows his brother only pushes him to be the best version of himself. For both Anthony and Jeremy soccer is more than just a game, it’s a way they can both grow and support one another.

“Soccer has straightened the bond between me and my brother,” Jeremy said. “ No matter what argument we have been through, the ball always brings us back together”.

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About the Contributor

Irving Decena, Staff Writer

Irving Decena is a sixteen-year-old junior taking the West Wind for the very first time. He was born in Calabash and has lived here his whole life with his two parents. Decena has no siblings and growing up he often spent his time with his friend outside, riding bikes and playing soccer around his neighborhood. “Although I have no siblings, I never had to feel alone because my best friend felt like an older brother to me,” said Decena. “I never felt alone because I have loving parents and friends.” Decena has been a part of the high school soccer team for three years and is excited for this year’s season. When he was a freshman, he played on the junior varsity team and later on in his sophomore year he was promoted to the varsity school team, where he was able to play with his childhood best friend. “I felt like a little kid again playing with my childhood best friend, except I wasn’t a little kid anymore— I was way older now,” said Decena. “I’ve made many other friends throughout high school, and now they are all like family.” Decena became interested in joining the West Wind when he was scrolling on TikTok, seeing all the hilarious videos the West Wind posted. Seeing his friends walk the school and interview people was another major factor of Decena joining West Wind. After high school, Decena hopes to go to trade school and pursue a career in HVAC. His parents always told him how handy he was around the house. He decided it was a good idea to go to school for something he was skilled at. “I would like to go to trade school,” said Decena. “I would like to have formal education without going the full four years, and it helps that I won’t have college debt to worry about when I’m older.”