BY GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER
A pair of University Interscholastic League rules infractions have led to a new district champion and playoff team for District 32-5A boys soccer.
Brownsville Porter, originally the district champion, will forfeit two games for using an ineligible player. Donna North, initially the No. 3 seed, will forfeit all of its games, also for using an ineligible player.
The combined results make PSJA Southwest the new district champion and allow Donna High to claim the final playoff berth. “It was just a misunderstanding on my part,” Donna North coach Francisco Alejo said. “There was a kid who wasn’t supposed to be playing, and that’s pretty much it.”
“I didn’t have any idea,” Alejo added. “It was a surprise to me, too. When we found out, we decided to just come clean and tell everyone.”
Alejo said the issue was related to grades, then declined any further comment on the situation, referring questions to Donna ISD athletics director Manny Moreno.
Moreno did not return phone calls or text messages seeking comment on Tuesday.
Brownsville ISD athletic director Mark Guess confirmed Tuesday the UIL ruled Porter must forfeit two games for using an ineligible player.
PSJA Southwest picks up four points in the standings after having lost to Donna North via penalty kicks twice during the regular season, and Brownsville Porter falls back six points due to the two losses. The swing leaves Southwest at 36 points and Porter at 35, giving the Javelinas their first district title.
PSJA Southwest coach Jesus Palomin broke the news to his team before Tuesday’s practice.
“They were excited,” Palomin said. “But at the same time, our team captains, Uriel Garcia and Ivan Calderon, were very focused, and told the rest of the team great, that happened, but right now we’re concentrating on playoffs. And that was about it. Maybe they celebrated about five minutes, and after that it was all business for them.”
PSJA Southwest will host Edinburg Vela at 7 p.m. on Friday. Sharyland Pioneer will travel to Brownsville to face Porter at 2 p.m Saturday, while Valley View will host pace at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Donna High, which moved from fifth place to fourth as a result of the Donna North forfeits, will host Sharyland High at 7 p.m. Thursday.
“I was not expecting it, but we’re in,” Donna High coach Mario Hernandez said. “I’m going to be honest, it was a surprise. It caught me off guard. … Honestly, I had no idea. On Friday, after our game, we had already added the points, and we had a good talk with the kids. We were pretty much talking about thank you for being here for four years, the seniors. It was a pretty sad day because we didn’t make it to the playoffs. And then on Monday morning, that was when I found out.”
Staff Writer Roy Hess contributed to this report.