VMS All-Star Boys Soccer: ‘Hounds’ Castillo earns MVP
By EDWARD SEVERN
Staff Writer
Pulling the strings this year for the San Benito Greyhounds was playmaker Cristian Castillo.
The senior finished the season with 13 goals and 10 assists to become the Valley Morning Star’s 2021-22 All-Star Boys Soccer Most Valuable Player.
“I feel great, it is a good honor,” Castillo said. “I appreciate all of the support that I have had from the fans and everybody else that supported me this season.”
San Benito finished fifth in the very tough District 32-6A. Brownsville Rivera, Brownsville Hanna, Donna North and Los Fresnos finished ahead of the Greyhounds.
The Greyhounds were still playing meaningful matches in the district for the majority of the season. San Benito did sweep Harlingen High for bragging rights. Castillo said those were his favorite moments this year.
In the first Battle of the Arroyo match, Castillo scored the team’s lone goal in their 1-1 draw and converted his spot-kick in the shootout win against their rivals.
“Cristian was a big part of our offense,” San Benito coach William Huerta said. “Castillo controlled the ball in the midfield, had a great vision and was able to distribute the ball to our attacking players. The games he missed, it did show and we struggled offensively.”
Offensive Player of the Year
Ronaldo Zuniga, San Benito
With a name like Ronaldo, the expectations are to score some goals. Zuniga did, eight times this year for San Benito and provided seven assists to make him the offensive player of the year.
“I am grateful for this award,” Zuniga said. “This would not be possible without my teammates, the ones that I grew up playing with because they pushed me on and off the field.”
San Benito’s 23 goals in District 32-6A made them the highest-scoring team in the Harlingen and San Benito area. Deployed on the left side of the pitch, Zuniga used his skills to provide a goal-scoring threat going forward while also taking care of business defensively.
“Zuniga was very aggressive and fast,” San Benito coach William Huerta said. “He was always willing to take shots from outside of the box, majority of his shots came from distance. He was able to play multiple positions. He did great for us.”
Zuniga’s favorite goal this year was against Edinburg Vela when the left-footed winger’s 20-yard plus shot smashed the post and went in.
Huerta said the combination of Zuniga and Castillo was extremely effective for his side. Huerta praised the duo’s communication as a reason for their success.
“I would not have had the impact without my teammates,” Zuniga said. “They helped me get to this point, props to them.”
Defensive Player of the Year
Derick Hernandez, Harlingen High
Harlingen High had a great start to its season. In non-district play, the Cardinals kept six clean sheets and started District 32-6A play by shutting out Brownsville Rivera in a goalless draw.
At the heart of the defense for Harlingen High is the AlL-Star defensive player of the year, Hernandez.
“I feel that I played good this year,” he said. “I also feel proud of myself because I have been trying to improve my skills and give everything that I got during the games. When I found out that I won, I felt really proud of myself.”
Hernandez returned from an injury to help provide that stability in the Cardinals’ back line. He was voted first team all-district for his efforts this season.
“I always feel comfortable on defense,” he said. “I have been a defender, so I do not care who is in front of me. I do not have many issues. I always feel that I can win the ball.”
The biggest problem the Cardinals had this year was scoring goals. Not being able to take pressure off of the defense hurt the team this year, Hernandez said.
Hernandez said the defense needs to improve its communication, and that it was one reason the team gave up the goals it did. Harlingen High conceded fewer goals than Harlingen South and San Benito but finished below them in the standings.
Goalkeeper of the Year
Ricardo Montoya, Harlingen South
To begin the District 32-6A season, Montoya won two penalty shootouts against Brownsville Hanna and rival Harlingen High to give his side important points.
Montoya was awarded a first-team all-district goalkeeper nod and is the All-Star goalkeeper of the year.
“It feels awesome, I really did put in a lot of work,” he said. “I really tried my best this year to keep my team on top.”
Harlingen South did the double over Harlingen High this season. During the second Bird Bowl match, the Hawks pulled off a 1-0 win. It was Montoya who made sure all three points went to South after stopping Harlingen’s free-kick attempt.
“We were up the whole game,” he said. “They had many chances, but that was my favorite save of the year because it was the last 30 seconds. It was crazy.”
Montoya enjoys the position because he can see the whole field and direct outfield players where they need to be. Montoya is ready for a new challenge next season in District 32-5A.
“It has been a lifelong dream to be the best goalie wherever I am at,” he said. “I am really proud of myself.”
Newcomer of the Year
Gabino Sanchez, Harlingen South
South finished 24-3 and in second place in District 32-6A during the 2020-2021 campaign. The Hawks graduated a majority of the squad and were looking to replace key players this season.
One of the underclassmen who stepped up for South this year was Sanchez, a freshman.
“When they told me about being newcomer of the year, I was surprised and happy,” he said. “I have a lot of teammates that have the same mentality and want it just as much as I do, so I was surprised that I won the award.”
Sanchez also was awarded newcomer of the year for District 32-6A.
On the pitch, Sanchez played as a left back and midfielder for Harlingen South. Depending on the opponent, Sanchez and teammate Joaquin Ovalle, one of the only returning seniors on the side, swapped positions.
Sanchez likes playing defense but will play wherever the coaches need him.
“It was an experience,” Sanchez said. “At practice, you have to play hard because how you practice is how you play. The matches are intense, it is not like matches that I was used to playing. It is very different than middle school.”
Coach of the Year
William Huerta, San Benito
San Benito was the best of the rest in the area. The Greyhounds missed out on a spot in the District 32-6A playoff race by six points.
Although they did not have the most success on the pitch, the Greyhounds still had a solid season under Huerta, the All-Star coach of the year.
“It is an honor,” Huerta said. “Of course, I could not do this without the support of my wife, my kids, the fans and my coaches. They work really hard for a common goal. We are all on the same page.”
Huerta also thanked athletic director Daniel Gomez and athletic coordinator Ramiro Partida. He said without them, this would not be possible.
“It is not always about the trophies, it is about these kids being successful after they leave this program,” Huerta said. “We use this program to instill the values they need when they face adversity out there.”
Huerta said the trophies that come along are bonuses, and that the real trophies for coaches are seeing the kids grow and be successful in the community.
