Fireworks were on full display at the Class 4A level during the 2023 boys soccer season.
Of the Valley’s 12 Class 4A playoff teams, all but one averaged at least two goals per contest during district play. Seven of them averaged more than three goals per contest.
Behind every high-powered offense there tends to be a dynamic playmaker. It is no different for the Valley’s 4A playoff teams, with nine of the RGV’s top 15 goal scorers during district play coming from there.
Hidalgo’s Rey Cantu highlights the Valley’s offensive weapons heading into the first round of the postseason. Cantu’s 2022 campaign ended with a devastating knee injury, which forced the then-junior to get surgery during the offseason and go through an intensive rehab program.
The senior striker battled back from the setback and delivered the best performance of his four-year career, netting a Valley-leading 40 goals in 13 district appearances. Cantu took his game to another level during the final three games, averaging seven goals per game during the span.
Cantu and the Pirates open the first round of the postseason at 6 p.m. Thursday against Rockport-Fulton at Cabaniss Athletic Complex in Corpus Christi.
“It is all thanks to the support of my teammates,” Cantu said. “They were always there for me. Along with my doctor, Paul Trevino, and Coach (Zeke) Morales. They kept pushing me and telling me I needed to get better because this was our year to win state. At first, I was scared I was going to get hurt again. As I started running more and working on my conditioning, I started feeling stronger. I remember the first few games I was scared to kick the ball. But I kept improving and felt better with each game. It showed because I started making more and more goals and gaining confidence.”
In the Lower Valley, Brownsville IDEA Riverview’s Haziel Mejia was equally dominant on the pitch, accounting for more than half of the team’s 61 goals during district play.
Mejia’s 34 goals in 14 district games ranked second in the RGV, trailing only Cantu. Mejia’s performance translated to an opportunity to play at the next level, as he became the first signee for the newly formed men’s soccer team at Texas Southmost College.
“Honestly, it is like a cheat code having him,” IDEA Riverview head coach Rodolfo Rodriguez said. “Having that one kid that when you need that play, you get the ball to him, and he does it. He scores and wins games for you. Having that player on our team is something we’re blessed with and something the boys really appreciate it. He’s not just a good goal scorer but he brings out the best out of every single player on the team.”
Led by Mejia, the Rockets finished second in District 32-4A with a 9-3-2 mark, drawing a first-round matchup against Edinburg IDEA Quest. The Rockets and Trailblazers square off at 6:30 p.m. Friday at IDEA Sports Park Field in Brownsville.
The Trailblazers field one of the Valley’s most dominant offensive attacks at the Class 4A level, averaging 5.4 goals per game. The mark ranks second only to Hidalgo (7.2).
Like the Rockets, the Trailblazers are led by a prolific scorer of their own in Adrian Medina. IDEA Quest’s striker ranked among the top 15 in the Valley in goals scored during district play, netting 21 in 14 appearances.
“We know that maybe they don’t have that one kid that is just that one goal scorer, but they have multiple kids who do score a lot of goals,” Rodriguez said. “We just want to come out strong and send that message that we’re going to have that ball and keep it away. The kids know that this beautiful sport is won by scoring goals and the only way they can do that is by having the ball at their feet. We’re going to press and run to take that ball away and try to avoid giving opportunities to the other team to score.”
No game, however, features more offensive firepower than Thursday’s Class 4A bi-district contest between Alamo IDEA and Brownsville IDEA Sports Park.
The two teams field a combined five athletes all ranking in the top 15 in the Valley in goals scored during district play.
Alamo IDEA is led by Juan Roque, who netted 26 goals in 14 district games, the sixth-best mark in the RGV. Oscar and Sergio Gonzalez each added 20 goals, tied for 13th.
“We’re aware of their offensive firepower,” Brownsville IDEA Sports Park head coach Gerardo De La Garza said. “The plan is we have to control the tempo and dictate the game to our style of play. If we let them get control, it can turn sideways really quickly. The plan is for us to be able to control the game so we can limit their number of dangerous possessions.”
The Stingrays field offensive weapons of their own, led by TSC signee Ricardo Davila. The senior forward ranked ninth in the RGV in goals scored during district play with 23, adding 27 assists in 14 games. He is complemented by Jesus Saenz, who scored 21 goals in 14 appearances.
The Stingrays’ two-headed monster helped the team secure a playoff berth during their first year competing in the University Interscholastic League. They’ll make their playoff debut at 6:30 p.m. at Alamo IDEA.
“This whole season, since we are new, we’ve had this underdog mentality,” De La Garza said. “We’re trying to prove people wrong and make a name for ourselves. We’re trying to leave a stamp of what our soccer program is. We’re not looking to deviate from the same message we’ve had. The kids are hungry to prove to everyone they belong.”
For the full first-round playoff schedule, click here.
