Along with his speed, strength and his intelligence on the field, Aguirre said probably Chaidez’s best asset is his versatility.
“He can just play so many positions,” Aguirre said about Chaidez, who also played receiver, returned punts and kickoffs and starred at defensive back. “He has so much talent, he gives so much to a team wherever he plays.”
At 5 feet 10, 175 pounds, Chaidez had a season many running backs only dream of. He gained 2,380 yards to set a new city single-season mark. The previous high was 1,933 yards, set last season by the Indians’ Joe Wiggan.
Along with 196 carries, Chaidez scored 30 total touchdowns and averaged 12.1 yards a carry and 216.4 yards a game. He also scored an average of 16.4 points a game.
Teams had trouble containing Chaidez, as he gained at least 200 yards in nine of 11 games and tallied at least 300 points in two contests. He gained 302 yards in a Santa Fe League game against St. Genevieve and 301 in a playoff loss to Whittier Christian.
“That Chaidez is just a stud,” said Whittier Christian Coach Jon Caffrey, after the Guards fell, 48-31, in a CIF Southern Section Northeast Division first-round game last month. “He ran all over us He is by far the best running back we have faced this season. He is just a super player. We have faced some very good [players], and he is just the best.”
On defense, Chaidez had 66 tackles and three interceptions.
For his efforts, Chaidez was named the Santa Fe League’s Player of the Year for the second straight season.
In his three-year career with Bell-Jeff, Chaidez gained 4,861 yards and tallied 50 touchdowns — both new area records.
