Tanner boys soccer coach Matt Smith said David Pizano and Tyler Keenum have been a huge part of the program during his five years as head coach.

So it’s fitting those two would cap their Tanner soccer careers by being selected to the Class 1A-3A All-State team, selected by the high school coaches.

“It’s really a statement to their character,” Smith said. “Those two started in ninth grade together, and for them to finish their career at Tanner with first-team All-State is amazing.”

Pizano was the team’s forward, scoring a school record 54 goals this season to give him 130 goals for his career — also a school record. Keenum was a defender, playing the center back position, and was like the quarterback of the defense, Smith said. He also scored four goals and dished out four assists from his defensive position.

“Both of them will be really hard to replace,” Smith said. “They are amazing individuals and leaders in the community.”

Smith said the two were both team leaders, but they led in different ways.

“David is more of a lead-by-example guy,” Smith said. “He was like, ‘I’m going to show you on the field. Y’all follow me, because I’m going to take charge.’ Tyler is real quiet throughout the day, but when you get him around his teammates, he’s the most vocal guy on the team. He controls the defense, telling people when to push, when to stay back. He was like a second goalie back there, and I trusted him 100 percent with it.”

Pizano also made the All-State team last season, while Keenum is making it for the first time. Smith said having two players recognized statewide shows the Tanner soccer program is moving in a positive direction.

“We’ve had a great last couple of years,” Smith said. “I think the program is really building in the direction we want it to go, and it’s thanks to guys like David and Tyler. I would go into battle with those two guys any day of the week.”