By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
Oscar Cordova and Diego Acevedo remember Hanna’s 2013 soccer season very well.
They were freshmen on the team back then as the Golden Eagles went 26-1-3 and advanced all the way to the Class 5A state final.
Cordova and Acevedo are seniors now, and they see their team as having the same type of capabilities as the one in 2013.
“It’s very exciting,” said Acevedo, a defender who has started all four of his seasons on the varsity. “There’s a lot of potential. We’ve worked hard four long years, and many of us on this team have a lot of experience. We’ve reached the highest level (of the playoffs) and come up just short (in a 3-2 overtime loss to Coppell during the 2013 state final). This year our mission and our goal is we’re going for it all, and we’re going to do whatever we can to achieve it.
“We have a lot of young talent this season, which is what I saw on the team when I was a freshman,” Acevedo added. “Yes, we came up just short (in 2013), and here we are back together again, and the team is looking good. We know we have a lot of potential and that we’re in a really tough District (32-6A). It’s something that challenges each one of us. We know what this district can generate and what this team can generate.”
A new UIL soccer season unfolds this week with plenty of high expectations surrounding local boys and girls teams.
Here is a look at each of The Brownsville Herald’s Metro-area boys squads:
HANNA GOLDEN EAGLES
There’s an experienced group of 10 players back at Hanna that has coach Reyes Prado and his assistants feeling pretty good about the Eagles’ chances in 2016. Still, knowing there’s plenty of competition out there, the optimism is tempered.
“It’s up for grabs,” said Prado, whose squad advanced three rounds in the playoffs last season. “Yes, you need to prepare your team to win, and it depends a little bit on luck as well. (Getting) a break here and there, grades and injuries, they all play a factor. Hopefully we can make it to the playoffs again, get a break or two, and go where we want to go.
““This group has mental strength, these guys have experience and a will to make some noise and make something happen in the playoffs,” Prado added. “Going three rounds deep in the playoffs may be a dream season for some, but not for us. It seems the standards (for Brownsville teams) have been set high. It’s either state or bust.”
In addition to Acevedo, a central defender, and Cordova, an attacking midfielder, other players returning with experience are goalkeeper Eduardo Cazares, fullbacks Victor Rodriguez and Edgar Loyde, midfielders on the wing Jesus Hernandez and Adrian Montalvo, center midfielders Antonio Salazar and Eduardo Arellano, and forward Juan Alexis Hernandez.
A newcomer to the lineup who could contribute is forward Pedro Pompa.
Cordova said the Eagles feel confident about what’s ahead in 2016.
“It’s good knowing I’m sharing the field with my talented teammates,” he said. “It’s been great. We’ve shared the field before, even before high school. With the new ones coming in, we just try to keep them in the group and get them to be a part of our family. We try to orientate them so they can see themselves in a successful position because that’s how we want to be at the end of the season.
“We’re not trying to hide anything,” he added. “It’s our goal (to do well), and, God willing, we can reach it.”
PORTER COWBOYS
Just like Hanna, the Porter Cowboys have a strong group of experienced returnees who share the same high expectations.
The District 32-5A runner-up Cowboys went 21-3-2 last season and reached the Region IV-5A Tournament semifinals, although they felt they could have gone farther.
“We have about 13 seniors on our squad this year,” Porter coach Jose Espitia said. “Our guys look quick, united and they have a goal. They want to make this a memorable season, especially the seniors. They’ve been working really hard and showing discipline on and off the field.
“One of our concerns is that about half of our returning players haven’t had that responsibility as varsity starters before,” he added. “They’ve played and even started some but they haven’t started consistently, so they have to adapt to a different level of responsibility.
“In soccer (here in Brownsville) you have to win it all or you’re not happy. Last year we had a chance, but we didn’t take advantage of it. Our guys this season want to come out strong, stay humble and have the motivation to achieve our goals. Last year was a learning experience.”
The six returning starters for Porter are forward Alexis Anzures, midfielders Enrique Soto, Daniel Briseno and Marco Don Juan, and defenders Roberto Briseno and Anthony Cuellar.
Other players with experience are midfielders Uriel Sepulveda and Omar Estrada, forwards Alexis Armendariz and Ricardo Vidal, and defenders Luis Lara, Esteban Mata and Angel Silva.
Espitia said finding a replacement at goalkeeper is a priority.
BROWNSVILLE VETERANS MEMORIAL CHARGERS
There are nine starters back for the Chargers, who finished fourth in 32-6A last season and went two rounds in the playoffs.
The nine returnees are center midfielders Humberto Trevino and Estuardo Teran, outside midfielders Jesus Muniz and Ramon Perez, defenders Jesus Arenas and Humberto Aguillon, forward Gabriel Montoya, fullback/midfielder Jesus Gomez and forward/midfielder Aldo Guzman.
A newcomer is forward Guillermo Laguna.
“Many of our guys have been playing together since they were sophomores, so they’ve already bonded,” Chargers coach Alberto Vasquez said. “We already have that team chemistry.
“There’s definitely a lot of potential with this team,” he added. “We’ve just got to get everything together and capitalize on our opportunities. Our guys are working hard. We’re in a district that is extremely competitive. You can’t take a day off. The district race should be a very exciting. I just hope we can be one of the teams (advancing to the playoffs).”
LOPEZ LOBOS
The Lobos have eight starters returning from a team that uncharacteristically bowed out of the playoffs in the first round last season.
“I feel very confident about this group,” Lobos coach Amadeo Escandon said. “At Lopez we can always expect positive things from the players.
“These guys are working hard,” Escandon added. “I know it’s an old cliché, but that’s what they’re doing. They get along well, and that’s a big plus.”
The eight starters back are forward Leo Casanova, midfielders Jose Echevarria, German Vera, Allan Ramos and Ruben Sauceda, and defenders Benito Cazares, Ulysses Ortegon and Arturo Salazar.
A newcomer who figures to contribute is midfielder Alan Reyes.
Regarding the 32-6A race, Escandon said, “I think the two favorites are Hanna and (Brownsville) Veterans. After that, I think the third and fourth (playoff) spots are going to be wide open.”
RIVERA RAIDERS
One season after going 28-0 and winning the inaugural Class 6A state title in boys soccer, the Raiders basically will have a new-look team in 2016 with only two starters back. Fifteen players, including nine starters, have departed from Rivera’s state championship squad.
The two starting returnees are midfielder Hernan Cruz and midfielder/forward Eliezer “Chaii” Acero.
Defending 32-6A champion Rivera will draw heavily upon its successful junior varsity team of one year ago. Among the players who figure to contribute as newcomers to the starting lineup are defenders Jose “Memito” Villanueva and Roberto Melendez, midfielder Julian Espinoza and forward Jose Muniz.
“Ever since I got here (25 years ago), it’s been a soccer program with a team concept,” Raiders coach Salvador Garcia said. “Our program is not based on individuals, and more than ever before, that’s going to be our blueprint this season. If we want to be successful, we have to play as a team and do the things that we do best, and take it from there.
“I see our players as being hungry with a great team chemistry,” he added. “I told them that I want to see a team full of confidence on the field, and I believe we have that. I want them to enjoy the game, knowing what to do and what is expected. I’m expecting the team to be playing Rivera soccer by the end of the first round (of district).”
LOS FRESNOS FALCONS
The Falcons were a young team one season ago, and they figure to be that way again this time around with four returning starters. The Falcons missed the playoffs last year after advancing three rounds in 2014.
The returning group will be led by team captains Juan Lozoya and Ivan Jimenez. Other players also being counted upon to contribute are Marcelino Ornelas, Joshua Ramirez, Javier Alejandro Navarrete, Erick Arellano, Antony Garcia and Yonathan Vilano.
“Juan Lozoya and Ivan Jimenez are our leaders on and off the field,” ninth-year Los Fresnos coach Javier Navarrete said. “The other six are players from last year who will play an important role this season.
“We have a few newcomers that we have been developing, and we’re looking for them to step up to the next level,” the Falcons coach added. “I like our chances this year and the progress this young team has made in our offseason and preseason.”
PACE VIKINGS
The Vikings came on strong at the end of last season by advancing three rounds in the playoffs during Mario Zamora’s first year as coach.
Pace hopes to build on that success this season with the help of six returning starters.
“I feel like we can do the same thing (in the playoffs) and maybe even better,” Zamora said. “We’re going to take it game by game and focus on District (32-5A) first, and then go from there.”
Returning starters for the Vikings include goalkeeper Eduardo Gamboa, central defender Johan Rivas, outside defender Ricardo Monsivais, center midfielder Eduardo Ramirez, outside midfielder Alejandro Castaneda and forward Juan Garza.
IDEA FRONTIER CHARGERS
Jerry De La Garza begins his second season as the Chargers’ coach with seven starters back from the squad that qualified for the playoffs last season as the third-place team from District 32-4A.
Among the returnees are goalkeeper Osmar Garcia, center midfielder Brian Estrella and defenders Juan Tristan and Hector Espino.
“It’s tough with Progreso in our district,” De La Garza said. “We made a run at district last year, but we made some mistakes (that hurt us). I think we have a better chance this time.
“Our players have been together for a couple of years now and they’re stepping it up in practice,” he added. “We’ve got some new kids coming in that understand what we want. I’m excited and eager to see what these guys can do.”
ST. JOSEPH ACADEMY BLOODHOUNDS
The Bloodhounds, who are members of TAPPS, began playing in November and their season is already well under way. They took over the lead in its TAPPS district race with a 3-0 victory Saturday against San Antonio Central Catholic at Canales Field, staying undefeated on the season at 5-0 and improving to 3-0 in district.
Returning starters for the Bloodhounds are attacking midfielder Jose Kauachi, forwards Gerardo Moses and Mario Garcia, center midfielders Andres Rico and Gerardo Elizondo, outside midfielders Anuar Atiye and Luis Amado, central defender Rodrigo Sanchez and goalkeeper Mario Ramirez.
PORT ISABEL TARPONS
Among the expected returnees for the Tarpons, who compete in 32-4A, is Williams Romero, an all-district first-teamer at forward last season as a junior. The Tarpons finished second behind Progreso in district one year ago.
Underclassmen earning all-district honors for the Tarpons last season included midfielders Nathan Berman, Celso Callejas and Giovani Garcia, defenders Bryan Palestina, Fernando Pardo, Denilson Lozano and Leo Bravo, goalkeeper Saul Beltran and forward Jonathan Rivera.
Five players to watch
Roberto Briseno, defender, Porter
Eliezer “Chaii” Acero, forward/midfielder, Rivera
Diego Acevedo, defender, Hanna
Humberto Trevino, midfielder, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Jose Echevarria, midfielder, Lopez
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess.