The Rio Grande Valley has a long-standing history of success in high school boys soccer. During 15 of the past 18 years, at least one team has advanced to the University Interscholastic League’s state tournament, six capturing a state title.
Going into today’s regional tournaments, four Valley teams remain, each vying for a spot in the state tournament.
The Brownsville Porter Cowboys, Hidalgo Pirates, Progreso Red Ants and Sharyland High Rattlers are the Valley’s “Final Four” in the 2022 UIL boys soccer postseason.
Each team has advanced to the state tournament in the past. The Cowboys won it all during the 2006 and 2016 seasons. The Pirates (2009) and Rattlers (2012) each have one state crown under their belt, while the Red Ants finished as a state runner-up during the 2016 campaign.
The “Final Four” are all gearing up for another state tournament appearance, beginning today at the Region IV-4A and 5A tournaments, slated to take place at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium and Cabaniss Soccer Complex in Corpus Christi, respectively.
PIRATE MENTALITY
The Pirates claimed the state championship during the 2009 season, led by head coach Zeke Morales. This season, Morales leads another group of athletes he said he believes are capable of repeating history.
“We don’t know where we’re going to be next year,” Morales said. “Every year is different. But this year, with the group we have, we have a great chance. They just can’t be satisfied yet. We want them to stay hungry and want more. We want them to be the second team here at Hidalgo to win state. We have the talent. We’ve been working hard for it. It’s all about mentality and doing your part. They understand we want to leave a mark.”
Hidalgo is anchored by a stout defense that has yet to allow a goal this postseason. Junior Anthony Nava and freshman Gabriel Ordonez anchor the Pirates’ backline, which allowed only two goals during district play.
Offensively, the Pirates have received a boost with the return of Rey Cantu, The Monitor’s 2021 All-Area Boys Soccer Co-Offensive Player of the Year, three weeks before the start of the postseason. The junior striker has netted five goals during the Pirates’ three playoff victories.
Cantu could be a gametime decision for today’s regional semifinal against the Taylor Ducks, however, suffering an injury during last week’s quarterfinal matchup against Vanguard Rembrandt.
The Pirates square off against Taylor in the Region IV-4A semifinals at 2 p.m. today at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium.
RETURN OF THE RED ANTS
The Red Ants sat on the sidelines the past two seasons, with the 2020 postseason wiped out due to the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by Progreso opting out of the 2021 campaign.
During their return to the pitch, the Red Ants have picked up where they left off, advancing to the regional semifinals for the fifth time in the past seven years.
The Red Ants showed their offensive prowess during district play, netting 70 goals in 12 contests. During the postseason, however, Progreso has struggled to put the ball in the net, averaging 1.3 goals per game, well below their district average of 5.8.
“I think it’s just the level of competition,” Alanis said. “But we’re going to the next round. The other teams are here for a reason. So, it’s just harder to score. We just have to work at it a little bit more. Hopefully we can score against Boerne. We’re going to try and play with a little more offense so we can come out and win.”
The Red Ants take on the Boerne Greyhounds in the Region IV-4A semifinals at 4 p.m. today at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium.
RISING RATTLERS
Over the summer, then-Sharyland High head coach Reveriano Hernandez hung up his whistle after 28 years. Hernandez helped guide the Rattlers to multiple playoff appearances, including a state championship during the 2012 campaign.
Led by first-year head coach Jorge Guerra, both played and served as an assistant coach under Hernandez, the Rattlers are continuing the tradition, advancing to the Sweet 16 for the first time since Hernandez’s 2012 state championship team.
“It’s a great feeling,” Guerra said. “It’s been a tough road. But we’ve been starting to look better since the playoffs came around. … I’ve learned everything from him (Hernandez). I’m not trying to reinvent the wheel. I’m just following what I learned, while trying to add my name to it. Just little things I like about the team and going from there.”
Sophomore Juan Pablo Treviño has emerged as a go-to scorer for the Rattlers, netting a pair of goals during Sharyland High’s victory over Rio Grande City, followed by the game-winner against Corpus Christi Veterans.
Treviño also converted the final penalty kick during their shootout against Brownsville Lopez to send his team to the second round.
Sharyland High takes on Dripping Springs in the Region IV-5A semifinals today at 2 p.m. at the Cabaniss Soccer Complex in Corpus Christi.
COWBOYS TRADITION
The Porter Cowboys are the Valley’s only team to win multiple state championships. Their quest for a third continues today against the Georgetown Eagles.
Kickoff is set for noon at the Cabaniss Soccer Complex.
Cowboys head coach Jose Espitia believes the Eagles are a well-organized team that defends as a unit and are lethal on the counterattack. Georgetown has not conceded a goal during the playoffs.
“They leave very little space,” Espitia said. “When they recover the ball, they transition into their attack well and before you know it they are near your box. They look good, but then again, it is going to be different for them, the Valley player is different from what they are used to.”
The match will be a clash of styles. During the playoffs Porter dominated teams with meaningful possession. When in possession the Cowboys pressure the opposing defense with lethal passes that force defenders to be switched on at all times.
During the last two playoff the games, the Cowboys easily had over 75% of the possession, probably even more, so they have seen teams try and counter to beat them.
“We are hoping that our offensive players could be our advantage, but we have to be very smart and focused defensively,” Espitia said.
