Senior Evani Velasquez Female place kicker – Bloomfield Bobcats
By Wally D
Photos by Tasha Higgins Pieces of Me Photography
When the Bloomfield Bobcats captured the 2025 New Mexico 4A State Championship, every player played their part. But for senior Evani Velasquez, her role was not only vital—it was historic.
A former soccer standout who made the bold decision to join the Bobcat football program this season, Evani stepped onto the field with confidence, athleticism, and a willingness to lead. What started as a summertime experiment quickly turned into one of the most inspiring stories in Bloomfield sports.
Head Coach Mike Kovacs couldn’t be more proud of her journey.
“It’s a blessing,” Coach Kovacs said. “You get a soccer kid out that can really have their foot touch the ball and do magical things with it—that’s Evani. She can kick it short, onside, deep, take extra points. And for her first year ever playing the sport, to be welcomed by the team the way she was, it was awesome. She’s going to be something special, I promise you.”
Evani delivered a spectacular season for Bloomfield, finishing 23-of-26 on extra-point attempts, an impressive 88%, including a clutch 8-for-9 performance in the playoffs. Her calmness under pressure, especially with defenders charging in from every angle, helped Bloomfield maintain momentum in some of the year’s biggest games.
Special Teams Coach Eric Stovall saw firsthand the character she brought to the program.
“Evani is a tremendous student. As one of our Bobcat kickers, she exemplified dedication, work ethic, sportsmanship, and a desire to help our team win on a consistent basis,” Stovall said. “Proud of her accomplishments on the field and in the classroom.”
Her football journey began last year when she served as a team manager while recovering from a soccer injury. Watching the game up close sparked a question that changed everything: “Do you think I could be a kicker?”
Coach Kovacs didn’t hesitate.
“Evani, you can do whatever you want,” he told her. “You’re so athletic. And I would love to have a female kicker—to show the rest of the girls in the school that this sport is for everybody.”
That encouragement, matched with her own determination, led her to spend the summer running track workouts and kicking on her own. By the time fall arrived, she wasn’t just participating—she was competing.
And then came the moment that sealed her legacy: becoming one of the first female athletes in New Mexico to win a state football championship on the field as an active player and scorer.
“It’s extremely exciting,” said Coach Kovacs. “To get the opportunity to score points in a district championship, playoffs, and a state championship—very few get to experience that. And Evani did it with poise. For San Juan County and the city of Bloomfield, we’re just so proud.”
Her success has already inspired conversations about what comes next. Evani has expressed interest in continuing to kick at the college level, something her coaches fully support.
“I told her early on this season—and after the last game—‘Wherever you go, you should try to walk on as a kicker,’” said Kovacs. “She knows what’s going on now, she’s athletic, and she can absolutely do it.”
As a student-athlete, a teammate, and a trailblazer, Evani Velasquez has shown what is possible when talent meets courage. Her story will undoubtedly inspire young women across New Mexico to step into roles that once seemed unreachable.
This week—and every week—Bloomfield is proud of her.
Congratulations to Bloomfield’s Evani Velasquez, this week’s Athlete of the Week, for her outstanding effort and leadership on and off the field.
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