Freshman midfielder Erik Hernandez has already blossomed into one of Bloom’s top scorers.

While it’s always a bit of a surprise to see such a young player produce at the level Hernandez has, it makes sense when you consider whose steps he is following in.

Hernandez’s father, Jeorge, was a prolific player in his own right.

“My dad played in the second division pro league in Mexico,” Hernandez said. “I’ve had a lot of inspiration from him. He’s been with me every step of the way giving me advice.”

It’s all paying off for Hernandez, who scored his fifth goal of the season and dished out his third assist Monday night, helping the host Blazing Trojans pull out a 2-1 win over crosstown rival Marian Catholic in Chicago Heights.

Eduardo Gonzalez also scored for Bloom (6-7). Manny Martinez managed an assist and Sebastian Aceves made two saves.

Bloom’s Erik Hernandez (10) celebrates with Eduardo Gonzalez after assisting Gonzalez’s goal against Marian Catholic during a nonconference game in Chicago Heights on Monday, Sept. 29, 2025. (Gary Middendorf / Daily Southtown)

Luis Arellano scored the goal and Ben Pollock made nine saves for Marian Catholic (3-12).

Hernandez, meanwhile, has found all the inspiration he needs right at home.

“Me and my dad practice as much as we can,” he said. “Obviously, my dream is to make it to the pros and he’s been helping me. He’s been there, so he wants to give me advice on how to get there, what I need to do.

“Obviously, as his son, he wants to see me have success and he wants to do everything in his power to help me.”

Marian Catholic’s Luis Arellano (10) scores on the deflection against Bloom during a nonconference game in Chicago Heights on Monday, Sept. 29, 2025. (Gary Middendorf / Daily Southtown)

Hernandez was told by Bloom’s coaches that he would have a good chance to make an impact right away on a team that graduated a huge group of senior starters from last season.

A confident Hernandez knew it would be a challenge battling with older, bigger kids.

“The biggest transition is with the physicality,” Hernandez said. “I’m playing against seniors and juniors. I was a late birthday, too. I’m still 14 — my 15th birthday is in December.

“I’m a pretty small guy. But I feel like my skills set me apart from others, so I can play with my skills and the bigger guys can foul me all they want.”

Bloom’s Erik Hernandez (10) takes a free kick against Marian Catholic during a nonconference game in Chicago Heights on Monday, Sept. 29, 2025. (Gary Middendorf / Daily Southtown)

Hernandez got Bloom on the board in the 33rd minute. Gonzalez sent a cross into the box on a corner kick. Martinez got a piece of it and Hernandez was there to rip it into the back of the net.

Gonzalez, a senior who plays all over the field, has seen Hernandez continue to thrive in spite of his youth.

“He’s stepped in and filled in a spot that we needed to fill and he’s been doing a great job,” Gonzalez said. “It takes a little while to trust freshmen but they earn it, and Erik has given us plenty of reason to trust him, so it’s been great.”

About that trust? Bloom assistant Kevin Droba, who ran the team in the absence of head coach Zack Radtke on Monday night, said Hernandez’s teammates should give it to him without hesitation.

Bloom’s Erik Hernandez (10) looks to pass against Marian Catholic during a nonconference game in Chicago Heights on Monday, Sept. 29, 2025. (Gary Middendorf / Daily Southtown)

“He gives pointers about stuff he sees, and sometimes the older kids don’t see his visions and don’t listen to him as much because they don’t think he knows what he’s doing,” Droba said of Hernandez. “But he sees stuff out there that I don’t even see sometimes and he points it out.

“He’s a fast, strong player. He reads the game well and he’s a big part of the team. Without him out there, the game kind of gets all screwed up.”

Hernandez also assisted on Gonzalez’s goal, which came on a header with 29:13 to go and proved vital when Arellano scored for Marian Catholic with 3:30 left.

Although Hernandez is pleased with how his freshman year is going, he hopes this is just the start of a long soccer journey.

“I want to play professionally,” he said. ” And hopefully, one day, I can recognize my dad on the big stage and shout him out.”

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/29/erik-hernandez-bloom-marian-catholic-ihsa-boys-soccer/