State tournament appearances have become synonymous with Valley soccer since Brownsville Lopez won the RGV’s first title in 2004.
During the nearly two-decade span, the Valley has sent at least one team to the state tournament all but three times, not including the 2020 season, which ended prematurely amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Valley’s long run of soccer success continues this season with Hidalgo and Sharyland High set to represent the RGV at the 2023 UIL state soccer tournament.
The UIL state tournament begins Wednesday at Birkelbach Field in Georgetown with the Class 4A semifinals. Hidalgo plays in the second Class 4A semifinal against San Elizario at 6:30 p.m. A win earns them a spot in Friday’s Class 4A state title game against the winner between Palestine and Lumberton at 2:30 p.m.
Sharyland High takes the field for a Class 5A state semifinal at 5 p.m. Thursday against El Paso Bel Air. A Rattlers’ victory pits them against the winner between Frisco Lone Star and Pflugerville Connally in Saturday’s Class 5A state title game at 1:30 p.m.
ROAD TO THE FINAL FOUR
The Pirates’ and Rattlers’ paths to the state tournament have been nearly similar this season. Both teams coasted through the first two rounds of the playoffs, with the Rattlers outscoring opponents 9-0 and the Pirates outscoring theirs 12-3.
The third round was much of the same for the Pirates, taking down Brownsville Jubilee 5-1 to advance to the Region IV-4A tournament. The Rattlers, however, faced their first big test of the postseason in the third round, facing off against District 32-5A champion Brownsville Porter.
A 1-0 victory over the Cowboys secured the Rattlers’ return to the Region IV-5A tournament for a second straight year.
Both teams took care of business during their respective regional semifinals, with Hidalgo downing Austin Achieve 2-1 and Sharyland defeating San Antonio Southwest 2-0.
The regional finals played out almost the same for both teams, both overcoming second-half deficits to win their games. Sharyland High scored two second-half goals to defeat Leander Rouse 2-1 and claim the Region IV-5A championship, while the Pirates battled back from a one-goal deficit twice against reigning back-to-back Class 4A champion Boerne to send it into PKs and secure the Region IV-4A title.
The victory by both teams brings the Valley’s state tournament qualifier count to 29. They’ll both look to join Brownsville Porter as the only other team in the RGV with multiple state titles.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Some of the Valley’s biggest stars will take the field during this week’s state tournament, with both Hidalgo and Sharyland High’s rosters littered with playmakers.
Perhaps the biggest name coming from the RGV in the state tournament is Hidalgo senior Rey Cantu. The Pirates’ forward led the Valley in goals scored during district play, netting 40 in 13 appearances. He has continued to demonstrate his offensive prowess during the postseason, netting five goals in five appearances.
Cantu isn’t the only playmaker taking the field for the Pirates this weekend. Senior captain Joaquin Rosales has been lights-out all postseason, netting a team-high seven goals in five playoff contests.
Sharyland High has its fair share of offensive firepower locked and loaded for the postseason, with five different players netting at least seven goals during district play.
Kevin Zepeda led the team with 20 goals despite missing four games early during district play. Alan Guerrero (11), Edward Morales (10), Jose Sanchez (8) and Juan Pablo Treviño (7) rounded out the Rattlers top-five scorers during district.
In the postseason, teams have been forced to pick their poison among the five players, combining for 13 of the team’s 14 goals through the first five rounds. Zepeda and Treviño are tied for the lead in goals scored during the playoffs with four each.
TOURNAMENT HISTORY
The Pirates and Rattlers are no strangers to the big dance. The teams have a combined five state tournament appearances, including this year.
Hidalgo is set to make its third appearance in program history, reaching the “Final Four” in 2007 and 2009. Sharyland High is making its second appearance, reaching the state tournament in 2012.
Both teams also have a state championship under their belt, with Hidalgo claiming the Class 4A title in 2009 and Sharyland High winning the Class 5A championship in 2012.
The teams are searching to end a seven-year state title drought by the RGV, with Brownsville Porter the last team to win it all in 2016.
