Sports Spotlight - West Orange Times & Observer: Elisha 'Shay' Sanchez

Central Florida Christian Academy junior Elisha “Shay” Sanchez, a 6-foot-2 and 325-pound left tackle, is one of the Eagles’s most valuable offensive linemen. The 16-year-old has been playing football now for 10 years and hopes to play football in college. 

How did you get your start playing football?

I’ve actually been playing since I was 6 years old. My father always wanted me to play football, and I’ve always been a type of person to run when I was little. I was like, “Well, can I try it?” When I tried I actually was afraid because I was like, “No, they’re too big, they’re going to hurt me,” and my parents always told me, “We are Sanchezes, so never, ever be scared.” So I tried it for the first time, and they couldn’t even get me out of the game because I loved it so much.

What’s the best part of the game for you?

Making the blocks for our quarterback, Caleb Brenyo. It’s always wonderful just to flatten someone on the field because I have so much going on and it’s wonderful to just take it out on the field and leave it on the field. 

Any advice you take out onto the field with you?

Never be afraid to try. If you don’t try you won’t win. If you just sit around and don’t do anything you guys won’t come together as a team. My thing is, always try because if you don’t try you really don’t have anything to look forward to.

I hear you’re in the praise band. How did you get started with that?

I’ve actually always loved to sing and loved going around the house and singing. My friend wanted me to join praise band because when we went to Miami mini-mester in March, we actually were singing and she was like, “Oh my gosh, I didn’t know you could sing!” So I’ve gotten into that, and I actually really love the praise band.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I would go to China. I say this because China is basically where America gets most of their stuff, and I would love to see how they make it and why they make it and how the process goes. I also would like to go there because I love food. I love Chinese food.

Do you have a favorite Bible verse?

Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Obviously, Christ is the only one to give you strength. If you don’t get strength from anywhere else you can always get it from Christ. Christ is always No. 1 in my life.

What do you like to do outside of football?

I love to sing, and I love to line dance and cook.