GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER
More than just a showcase for the Valley’s top senior soccer talent, Saturday’s RGVSCO all-star games represent a final opportunity for athletes to link up with college programs.
The eyes of college scouts and recruiters will be on the region’s best players today at Weslaco East High School. The sub-6A girls play at 10 a.m., followed by Class 6A girls at noon, sub-6A boys at 2 p.m. and 6A boys at 4 p.m.
Gates will open at 9 a.m., with $5 admission for adults and $3 admission for students.
“Other than this being the last high school soccer game they’ll ever get to participate in, it’s also a great opportunity for them to showcase themselves and their soccer abilities,” said Hidalgo coach Zeke Morales, who is working with the West sub-6A boys. “There are potential college coaches who might be interested in any of them.”
PSJA North coach Margeaux McCarthy, who will be leading the West Class 6A girls, said the all-star practices allow some of the area’s most successful coaches to get to know some of the top senior talent, potentially helping them find a home at the next level.
Players also have the opportunity to talk to each other about the transition to college. Those who haven’t been able to find a destination can learn from those who have.
“It’s given these girls a little hope that maybe this isn’t it,” McCarthy said. “They can still walk away with perhaps landing something somewhere else.”
Given the stakes, McCarthy said the games sometimes become very competitive. She and her PSJA North seniors are using the game as a chance to get a measure of revenge against Los Fresnos, which handed the Lady Raiders a 3-1 loss in the bi-district playoffs.
“The last few seasons, it does get pretty heated,” McCarthy said. “There’s a lot of emotion involved. They’ll get after it.”
RGVSCO All-Star Rosters
West Sub-6A Girls
Coaches: Juan Rodriguez, PSJA Southwest; Antonio Oliveres, Grulla
Yaritza Garcia, Grulla; Lizeth Rodriguez, PSJA Southwest; Stephanie Barrientos, Sharyland Pioneer; Ali Reyes, Edcouch-Elsa; Taylor Marquez, Sharyland Pioneer; Jasmin Pinon, Progreso; Alysha Ramirez, Valley View; Yesica Larios, PSJA Southwest; Jennifer Lopez, Grulla; Dominique Ibarra, Edcouch-Elsa; Yareli Yerena, Valley View; Anahi Robles, PSJA High; Nayeli Resendez, Grulla; Monica Yanez, Valley View; Alyssa Ochoa, Sharyland High; Melissa Carranco, PSJA Southwest; Ana Perez, Progreso; Lizeth Cantu, PSJA Southwest; Prisila Cruz, Edcouch-Elsa; Cecilia Morin, Edcouch-Elsa; Amanda Lozano, Mission Veterans; Alexis Mendoza, Edinburg Vela.
East Sub-6A Girls
Coaches: Abraham Garcia, Brownsville Porter; Jesus Cardenas, Port Isabel
Alexis Gonzalez, Port Isabel; Ariel Perez, Donna North; Iris Gamez, Rio Hondo; Jocelyn Perret, Donna North; Nicole Hernandez, Donna North; Hania Davila, Brownsville Pace; Kareley Rodriguez, Donna North; Kassandra Reyes; Rosa Brenna, Monte Alto; Alexis Vegas; Felicia Calo, Port Isabel; Cecilia Gonzalez, La Feria; Ashlei Howell, La Feria.
West 6A Girls
Coaches: Margeaux McCarthy, PSJA North; Rick Garza, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln
Sarah Whitesides, Edinburg North; Vanessa Aguilar, La Joya Palmview; Silvina Calderon, Edinburg High; Gina De La Garza, McAllen Memorial; Yessi Molina, Edinburg High; Isel Bocanegra, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln; Leslie Santana, McAllen Memorial; Maryeld Gonzalez, PSJA North; Yesenia Garza, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln; Bernice Moreno, PSJA North; Jessica Reyes, Edinburg High; Larisa Galvan, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln; Nikki Jo Rodriguez, Edinburg North; Barbara Segura, La Joya Palmview; Alhei Najera, La Joya Palmview; Consuelo Hernandez, PSJA North; Miram Saenz, PSJA Memorial; Gaby Gonzalez, McAllen High; Kendra Lozano, Edinburg North.
East 6A Girls
Coaches: Luis Troncoso, Brownsville Veterans; Omar Pedroza, Harlingen South
Gloria Ortegon, Brownsville Lopez; Priscilla Villarreal, Brownsville Hanna; Estrella Espinoza, Brownsville Lopez; Paula Ramirez, Brownsville Lopez; Nathalia Torres, Brownsville Veterans; Ana Lisa De La Cerda, Harlingen High; Amber Ray, Harlingen South.
West Sub-6A Boys
Coaches: Rev Hernandez, Sharyland High; Zeke Morales, Hidalgo
Jose Rodriguez, Hidalgo; Alexis Salinas, Edinburg Vela; Jorge Martinez, Hidalgo; Ivan Calderon, PSJA Southwest; Jose Ortiz, PSJA Southwest; Jose Benavides, PSJA Southwest; Edgar Tejeda, Edinburg Vela; Gabriel Garza, Sharyland High; Jesus Nino, Hidalgo; Sebastian Luna, Edinburg Vela; Rafael Garcia, Valley View; Renzo Zerrato, Edinburg Vela; Eleazar Julian Jr., Grulla; Brandon Leal, Grulla; Bryan Rios, PSJA High; Misael Garza, Edinburg Vela; Abraham Castilla, Edcouch-Elsa; Armando Rodriguez, Edcouch-Elsa; Thomas James, Pioneer.
East Sub-6A Boys
Coaches: Andres Sanchez, Donna North; Margarito Jimenez, Progreso
Juan Rivas, Raymondville; Luis Martinez, Donna North; Eulisis Salinas, Progreso; Juan Garza, Brownsville Pace; Alessandro Gonzalez, Progreso; Leonardo Bravo, Port Isabel; Hector Rojas, Brownsville Pace; Luis Pina, Donna High; Joel Nava, La Feria; Brayan Palestina, Port Isabel; Anthony Vargas, Donna High; Gabriel Magallan, Donna North; Brayan Zamora, Donna North; Gerardo Elizondo, St. Joseph; Eduardo Hernandez, Raymondville; Jose Vasquez, La Feria; Juan Puentes, Progreso; Cristian Chavez, Progreso; Mario Espinoza, Donna North; Abel Jaramillo, Brownsville Pace; Carlos Luqueno, La Feria; Jose Rosales, Monte Alto.
West 6A Boys
Coaches: Elias Moran, Edinburg North; Alex Davila, La Joya High
Cesar Frausto, La Joya High; Javier Garcia, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln; Brian Sanchez, Edinburg High; Jesus Garcia, Mission High; Julian Espinoza, McAllen Memorial; Julian Cortina, La Joya High; Angel Garcia, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln; Brandon Rangel, McAllen High; Luis Rodriguez, La Joya Palmview; Gerardo Chavira, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln; Jorge Garcia, La Joya Palmview; Heriberto Maldonado, La Joya Palmview; Maximo Gonzalez, Edinburg Economedes; Victor Cardena, Edinburg Economedes; Jorge Trejo, McAllen Rowe; Luis Garcia, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln; Rigo Ribera, McAllen Rowe; Leonardo Anguiano, Mission High; Edilberto Maldonado, La Joya Palmview; Antonio Becerra, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln.
East 6A Boys
Coaches: Amadeo Escandon, Brownsivlle Lopez; Albert Casquez, Brownsville Veterans
Bryant Martinez, Harlingen South; Nathan Flores, Harlingen South; Humberto Trevino, Brownsville Veterans; Marcos Solis, Harlingen High; Ulysses Ortegon, Brownsville Lopez; Everardo Galvez, Weslaco High; Angel Alejos, Weslaco East; Estuardo Teran, Brownsville Veterans; Jesus Muniz, Browsnville Veterans; Nicolas Lerma, Harlingen South; Leonardo Vargas, Weslaco High; Javier Martinez, Harlingen High; Jose Vargas, Weslaco High; Roel Ramirez, Weslaco East; Brandon Gutierrez, Harlingen High; Humberto Aguillon, Brownsville Veterans.