After watching Peter Crouch — my doppelganger — score goals Liverpool and England the past few years, I’m convinced I missed my calling as a soccer player. With a 6-foot-3 frame every bit as scrawny as the English striker and features equally as awkward, Crouch is my decade-late inspiration, though I imagine I could’ve been a goalie as well. I did play two years of rec soccer — in kindergarten and sixth grade — but that was it as basketball won out.

So I asked coach Ken Girard where I would stack up on LeBlond’s squad after taking on Golden Eagles’ striker John Chavez last week for my Put Me In, Coach column.

He replied: “You picked up the goalkeeping really well. You have the right frame for it. Because you have shown, even as a brand new player, you have potential. With some work, there are some areas you could pick up pretty quick.

“Shooting was even more of a surprise. We would probably start you off on a JV squad, but the coaching staff would be looking at you the season started. Depends on what year it was. The last couple of years with all the seniors we’ve had, you’d be JV all season. The next couple of years we don’t have as many seniors, a lot better chance you might break through a little sooner and see some suit up time at least, part way through the season.”

Chavez added: “Some good saves. You’re pretty tall, so you got your hands back and surprised me on a couple.”

Generous for sure. Yet, even though I’m nine years past that possibility and passed up the chance my junior year at Atchison High School because I thought it was too late. It’s always nice to know someone else sees the would-have-been potential. Maybe in another life.