BY ROY HESS, Staff Writer
Former Porter and Lopez soccer players who previously went to the UIL state tournament are eager to see the Cowboys and Lobos do well this week in Georgetown.
Brownsville is sending two teams to state for the first time.
Porter (26-0-1) plays El Paso Eastlake (22-2-1) at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the Class 5A semifinals and Lopez (21-2-1) goes against Austin Lake Travis (24-1) at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the Class 6A semifinals.
The state tournament began Wednesday with Class 4A competition and runs through Saturday at Georgetown ISD’s Birkelbach Field.
It’s an exciting time for the ones who earlier in their lives proudly wore jerseys representing the two Southmost schools at the highest level of high school competition. Lopez and Porter are each returning to state a fourth time.
Each school boasts quite a successful soccer history. Lopez won the 4A state title in 2004 and also advanced to state in 2009 and 2014. Porter advanced in 1984 before winning the 5A state championship in 2006. The Cowboys also went to state in 2011.
Brothers Ivan and Nestor Morales were key players in the midfield on two of those Lopez state teams.
Ivan’s 2004 squad became the Rio Grande Valley’s first UIL soccer champion. Nestor’s 2009 team finished as the 5A state runner-up. An older brother, Ruben Morales, played at Lopez before them, so the family remains keenly interested in the Lobos’ fortunes in soccer.
The Morales brothers are hoping both teams do well because Cowboys coach Jose Espitia, now in his ninth season at Porter, was previously an assistant at Lopez under Amadeo Escandon, coach of the Lobos for 19 years.
“It feels amazing, even nostalgic, to see both Brownsville teams going to state,” Ivan said. “It just shows you that the best soccer is played in the Valley.
“I really believe both of them can go all the way because of the experienced coaches they have,” he added. “I was blessed to have been coached by both of them, and I know that they are really good at bringing out the best of their players.”
Nestor said he’s also proud of both coaches and their teams.
“I can’t lie to you, I’m very excited for both schools, and I’m even more excited for Lopez for obvious reasons,” Nestor said. “This proves that the program Coach Escandon has guided over the years can compete at any level. Lopez makes history as the first high school to make it to state in all three classes (4A, 5A and 6A). It’s a program that continues to build up the tradition and legacy of Lopez soccer.
“Personally, I’ve known both Coach Espitia and Coach Escandon since I was an 8-year-old ball boy for Lopez,” Nestor added. “They are competitive and always hungry to win, but above all, they are very humble. That, plus having talented players, makes the perfect ingredients to see two state titles come back to Brownsville with a (victory) parade down Southmost Road.”
Jose Luis Zarate was the coach of Porter’s 5A state championship team in 2006. Diego Rodriguez was a standout midfielder and team captain for the Cowboys that season.
“I feel both teams are very deserving of this opportunity (at state), and I feel real positive about their chances,” said Zarate, now the golf coach at Brownsville Veterans Memorial. “Both teams are well-coached.”
Ten years after graduating from Porter, Rodriguez remains active in his chosen sport, most recently competing in the Major Arena Soccer League playoffs for the Brownsville Barracudas.
“For me to see two Brownsville teams going to state makes me very proud,” Rodriguez said. “I’m especially proud for Porter because that was my high school. It’s a great feeling to see them so close to winning another state title.
“I feel my class (of 2006) left a legacy, and it’s amazing to see it continue,” he added. “It definitely speaks highly of the level of soccer here in Brownsville, and it puts us on the map as an area where soccer is everything.”
Some former Brownsville soccer players plan to attend the games at state. One of them is Enrique “Chicle” Rivera, a standout forward who scored 20-plus goals for the Lobos in 2004.
“It’s always great to see teams from Brownsville playing at state,” said Rivera, who now lives in Houston. “I’m very happy for both teams and very proud of both coaches. I know them personally and both have an amazing work ethic. Both teams will be state champions this year. I’m giving my prognostics ahead of time.”
Kevin Maldonado, a standout midfielder on the 2014 Lopez team, knows some of the players who are returning to state this season for the Lobos. He appreciates all that Lopez soccer has done, and particularly the influence Escandon and Lobos assistant Abraham Torres have had on his life.
“It’s not that easy (to get to state), but the coaches are the ones who gave us that faith,” said Maldonado, who now plays soccer in college. “They make you believe in yourself, which is a great thing because they follow up with how to succeed in life, not just in sports, and they help you become a better person.
“I thank them for what they are doing for Valley soccer,” Maldonado added. “I also want to congratulate Coach Espitia. We have a very good friendship and I’ve known him since he was at Lopez (as an assistant coach). I’m happy for him reaching his goal, too.”
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess