By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
Except for perhaps some stress over excessive homework, the mood at Rivera is a pretty happy one this week.
There’s excitement on campus surrounding the Raiders’ soccer team, which has qualified for the UIL state tournament for the third time in school history, having previously advanced to state in 2005 and 2007.
The Raiders (26-0) play North Mesquite (22-3-1) in the Class 6A semifinals at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Georgetown ISD’s Birkelbach Field. If Rivera wins Friday, the Raiders go up against either Katy Cinco Ranch (21-0-4) or Arlington Sam Houston (23-2-2) in the 6A state final at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
“It’s exciting, it’s electrifying, and there’s nothing greater than being a Raider,” said Aimee Garza-Limon, Rivera’s principal. “I’m just so happy and so proud of our boys. They’re sticking together and playing together. That 26-0 record says a lot.
“It’s a feeling and excitement that is carrying on from football (when we went three rounds in the playoffs),” added Garza-Limon, who was an assistant principal at Rivera when the Raiders previously went to state. “We’re just looking forward to Friday.”
Tom Chavez, Rivera’s veteran athletic coordinator/football coach, knows a little something about molding successful athletic teams, and he likes what he sees from the Raiders on the soccer field.
“You have to give our boys a lot of credit for the way they play together,” Chavez said. “They’re so disciplined. There’s no one guy that they count on (exclusively), and they play as a team. They pass the ball to each other without any problem because they know each other so well.
“The feeling this week is the same way it was for football (back in November),” Chavez added. “It creates a great atmosphere at our school. I think we’re all ready to travel up to Georgetown and support these guys.”
The Raiders swept past San Antonio Reagan and San Antonio Brandeis by identical 3-1 scores last weekend during the Region IV-6A Tournament at Brownsville Sports Park to qualify for state.
There was a warm reception awaiting the team when it returned to school Monday from the students, faculty and other Rivera employees.
“We’ve been congratulated by everyone,” said Hernan Cruz, a junior defensive midfielder for the Raiders. “It’s amazing, and it’s just an awesome feeling right now.”
Daniela Carrion, a Rivera senior and multi-sport participant who is a member of the Lady Raiders soccer team, said the entire school feels proud about what the Raiders are achieving in one of the school’s traditionally strong sports.
“This is great, and unbelievable, actually,” said Carrion, who also competes in volleyball and track. “It’s been the talk around school for a week now, and everyone is super excited. It’s not only Rivera and Brownsville, the whole Valley is excited about it.”
Carrion was a young grade schooler in 2005 when she went with her family to Round Rock ISD’s Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex to watch her older brother, Martin, a 2006 Rivera graduate, play for the Raiders during their first trip to the state tournament.
“I remember I was mesmerized by the stadium because it was different than anything I’d ever seen in the Valley,” she said. “At the time, I didn’t realize the significance of it all. Now I do.
“I’ve seen the guys progress season after season since my freshman year,” Carrion added. “They’ve worked hard, and I’m really proud of them. It’s just very nice to be a part of it all.”
Raiders coach Salvador Garcia said support for his team is coming from across the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas.
“It’s been crazy at school, and you know what?” Garcia said. “Not only are we hearing congratulations from Rivera, but also from coaches all over the Valley, and even from San Antonio, so it’s been great. I feel blessed to have the support that we’re getting, not only here at school and from the (Brownsville) soccer community, but from all over.
“That’s why I tell our players, ‘Have pride in what you’re doing because it’s not only your family and others (here) that have your back, it’s the entire soccer family of the Valley,’” Garcia added.
Rivera’s “Once a Raider, always a Raider” slogan has taken on renewed meaning for many this week.
“I am following the soccer playoffs with much excitement and pride,” said Tim Snyder, Rivera’s principal from 2007 to 2011. “We had a great team in 2007 and made the final four (at state) but didn’t take it all the way. Salvador Garcia is a great man and a great coach, and I know he probably feels like I do that Rivera has some unfinished business in Georgetown.
“I am pulling for him and the boys because ‘Once a Raider, always a Raider,’” Snyder added.
Garza-Limon said everyone associated with the school, past and present, is wishing the Raiders all the best.
“They’re experiencing success, and ultimately, that’s what we want for these kids,” she said.
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess.