WRITER’S NOTE: This story is part of a series highlighting The Monitor’s boys soccer all-area award winners. The Monitor’s coverage area ranges from Mercedes to Roma. Check back throughout the week as we reveal the Upper Valley’s other superlative winners and be sure to pick up a copy of Saturday’s newspaper for a complete list of the all-area winners. 

It is hard to argue that there was a better Class 4A team in the RGV this year than Progreso. The Red Ants recorded a 27-1-2 overall mark this season, including a win streak of 25 games after their first and only loss during the regular season.

Progreso outscored its opponents 157-19 during that span, marching all the way to the Region IV-4A finals before falling to eventual state runner-up Boerne.

The driving force behind the Red Ants dominant 2024 campaign came from their lone senior starter, forward Joshua Perez.

The captain of the Red Ants netted a team-leading 15 goals in 14 district games, adding another five goals in four playoff appearances. Perez is The Monitor’s 2024 All-Area Boys Soccer Small School Player of the Year.

“It feels really good to win this award,” Perez said. “I’ve had two years being named the MVP of our district. Now to be named as the MVP of the entire area, it feels really good to win that my last year.”

The 2024 season provided new challenges for the two-time district MVP, tasked with leading a group of underclassmen, which included seven freshman starters.

Perez was up to the task, helping guide the group to a 14-0-0 district record and a fifth-round playoff berth.

The regional final appearance marked the Red Ants first time in the fifth round since 2019.

“My mentality as a senior captain was to take this team as far as I could,” Perez said. “Our ultimate goal was state. Unfortunately, we didn’t reach that goal, but we were able to make it far still thanks to God.”

Perez was the heart and soul of the team’s offensive attack, a group which averaged a staggering 6.5 goals per contest during district play.

The senior striker’s 15 goals during district don’t do justice to Perez’s impact, exiting most games just after the second half due to the Red Ants blowing past opponents.

He continued to demonstrate his ability to take over games during the postseason, netting five goals in four playoff games played, including a hat trick during a 7-1 area round win over IDEA Pharr.

“My mindset is to be a killer on the field,” Perez said. “I’m trying to score every play. If one doesn’t go in, I’m going to keep attack and trying again and again.”

Perez finished the year with 20 combined goals during district play and the playoffs, including five games with two or more scores.

He leaves the Red Ants as a three-time state qualifier, two-time district MVP and a one-time regional finalist.

“It is sad finishing my career,” Perez said. “Since kindergarten I’ve been in Progreso ISD. No longer being able to represent Progreso is sad. It is one of my favorite things.”

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WRITER’S NOTE: This story is part of a series highlighting the Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star boys soccer all-area award winners. The Herald/Star coverage area ranges from Brownsville to La Feria. Check back throughout the week as we reveal the Lower Valley’s other superlative winners and be sure to pick up a copy of Saturday’s newspaper for a complete list of the all-area winners. 

Human cheat code.

That is the best way to describe Brownsville Jubilee’s Rogelio Galvan on the pitch this season.

The senior striker put up video game-like numbers during his final year with the Titans, racking up a career-high 48 goals in 14 district games.

His 48 goals were 19 more than the next closest RGV athlete during district play this year, with Galvan averaging a whopping 3.4 goals per game during league play.

Galvan is the Herald/Star 2024 Boys Soccer Offensive Player of the Year.

“This is something that brings more attention to our small school,” Galvan said. “We know that there is a lot of forwards of great quality in the RGV. That just makes this award even bigger for me and the school. I’m just very happy to get it.”

Last season Galvan was asked to make the move to striker after playing as a midfielder for most of his career.

His first season was an adjustment period for Galvan, scoring 20 goals in 14 district appearances.

This year, he took his game to another level, more than doubling his scoring total during district play, while helping the Titans capture their fourth district title in five years.

“I spent my whole life playing midfielder, but some stuff happened that I had to make the move to striker,” Galvan said. “I had to get used to the position. Little by little, with help from my coaches, I was able to find my groove and get comfortable in the spot.”

Galvan wasn’t just a big-time scorer throughout the year, also displaying his consistency with at least one goal during all but one of the Titans’ 14 district game.

During that span, Galvan was also held to just one goal or less three times, scoring multiple goals in 10 district games this year, including three games with four goals, three games with six goals and one match with eight goals.

“Those are the games that really made me feel comfortable in my new position,” Galvan said. “They gave me confidence to be even better on the pitch.”

Galvan’s scoring prowess continued against tougher competition during the postseason, netting a pair of goals during the Titans’ bi-district victory over IDEA Weslaco Pike, followed by another goal during Jubilee’s 3-1 win over Vanguard Beethoven in the Class 4A area round.

The Titans 2024 season came to an end in the third round of the playoffs against Region IV-4A runner-up Progreso, falling 2-0 to the Red Ants.

Galvan finishes his career with over 100 career goals as a part of the Titans, leaving as the program’s all-time leading scorer.

“Honestly, it feels really good because I didn’t expect this,” Galvan said. “We had a really good season. We reached a lot of goals as a team and as individuals. It just feels good. We hoped to make a deeper run in the playoffs this year, but at the end we’re happy with everything we’ve accomplished.”

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WRITER’S NOTE: This story is part of a series highlighting The Monitor’s boys soccer all-area award winners. The Monitor’s coverage area ranges from Mercedes to Roma. Check back throughout the week as we reveal the Upper Valley’s other superlative winners and be sure to pick up a copy of Saturday’s newspaper for a complete list of the all-area winners. 

PSJA North junior Jacob Ocañas spent his first two years playing midfielder for the Raiders, taking on more of a playmaker than an attacking role.

This season, the Raiders’ coaching staff let Ocañas loose as a striker, allowing him to get creative and attack at will.

Ocañas rewarded his coaches by more than tripling his combined goal total from his previous two seasons and finishing as District 31-5A’s leading scorer.

After a 21-goal district season and leading the Raiders back to the postseason for the first time since 2017, Ocañas is The Monitor’s 2024 All-Area Boys Soccer Offensive Player of the Year.

“It means a lot to win this award,” Ocañas said. “My freshman year we didn’t have that good of a team. We had a lot of ups and downs. This year our coach really disciplined us, and we put all our work into the weight room and training and it showed on the field. I just want to thank all my coaches and my family for always being there and supporting me.”

Ocañas wasted no time establishing himself as a threat as PSJA North’s striker, netting two goals during a 2-1 district opening victory over McAllen Memorial.

By his second district game, Ocañas had already tied his previous mark of three goals during league play, netting his third goal of the year during a 1-0 win over McAllen High.

He surpassed that mark by his third appearance, scoring the lone goal during a 2-1 loss to PSJA Memorial.

Ocañas continued to prove his scoring prowess wasn’t a fluke throughout the year, scoring in 13 of his 17 district appearances, including four games with two goals and a pair of hat tricks as well.

His 21 district goals ranked tied for seventh among all RGV boys soccer players, averaging 1.2 goals per game this season.

“From the previous two seasons, I just attacked more this year,” Ocañas said. “My coach let me loose. The past two years I have been playing more as a midfielder. This year my coach let me play as a striker. I feel like it was the right move and helped me a lot.”

With Ocañas pacing the offense, the Raiders finished district play with a 12-4-2 mark for third place in 31-5A and their first playoff berth since 2017.

The Raiders return to the postseason ended in the first round, falling to 3-0 to Brownsville Porter in a Class 5A bi-district match.

The early exit is serving as fuel for Ocañas and the Raiders heading into his senior season, looking to build off his individual and team success next year.

“Next year, I hope we go deeper into the playoffs,” Ocañas said. “One round hurt us. We’re just going to put more work into it. Even though we lose some players it is next man up. I’m ready to train harder and put more work in the weight room for next year.”

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WRITER’S NOTE: This story is part of a series highlighting the Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star boys soccer all-area award winners. The Herald/Star coverage area ranges from Brownsville to La Feria. Check back throughout the week as we reveal the Lower Valley’s other superlative winners and be sure to pick up a copy of Saturday’s newspaper for a complete list of the all-area winners. 

Brownsville Rivera junior Adrian Longoria established himself as a household name among defenders last season, locking down opposing team’s best players en route to the Herald/Star’s 2023 DPOTY award.

Longoria proved last season was no fluke during his junior campaign, continuing to anchor a Rivera defense which allowed just 11 goals in 10 district games.

For his defensive prowess, Longoria is the Herald/Star 2024 All-Area Boys Soccer Defensive Player of the Year.

“Winning this award back-to-back years means a lot,” Longoria said. “It just makes me want to go for even more next year.”

A strong defense has been the key to Rivera’s success the past two years, allowing less than one goal per game each of those seasons.

Longoria has been at the forefront of it all, bringing a much needed aggressive and physical playstyle to the pitch.

“It’s just about communication and dedication to not let anyone score,” Longoria said. “We just want to go in their hard every play.”

While not the biggest on the field, Longoria wasn’t hard to miss during most games, flying to the ball play after play as a defender.

This year he even stepped up as a scorer for the Raiders when needed, netting six goals during district play. Longoria’s six scores tied for first on the team during district this season.

The Longoria-led Raiders finished the regular season with a 18-2-1 mark, including a 9-1-0 record during district play en route to their third straight 32-6A title.

The Raiders’ season ultimately ended in heartbreak, seeing their state title aspirations dashed during a first-round loss to Edinburg Economedes.

Brownsville Rivera is set to make the move down to Class 5A next season, joining other perennial powers like Porter and Lopez in District 32-5A. Still, Longoria and the Raiders aren’t shying away from their expectations next season – looking to continue their dominance and bring home a state crown.

“It’s a different district, but we still expect to dominate next year,” Longoria said. “We’re just going to have to go in harder next year.”

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WRITER’S NOTE: This story is part of a series highlighting The Monitor’s boys soccer all-area award winners. The Monitor’s coverage area ranges from Mercedes to Roma. Check back throughout the week as we reveal the Upper Valley’s other superlative winners and be sure to pick up a copy of Saturday’s newspaper for a complete list of the all-area winners. 

Edinburg North’s Kenneth Reyes entered last season with high expectations following a breakout sophomore campaign.

Before Reyes could really get going, the Cougars’ defender suffered a meniscus injury that would sideline him for all but two games.

Reyes came back with a vengeance this season, reestablishing himself as one of the RGV’s top defenders while anchoring a stout Edinburg North defense. His impact on the pitch earned him District 31-6A’s top honor this year, nabbing the MVP award, an honor which is historically given to offensive players.

For his lockdown defense and role in leading the Cougars to the Region IV-6A finals, Reyes is The Monitor’s 2024 All-Area Boys Soccer Defensive Player of the Year.

“It is an amazing accomplishment to be honest,” Reyes said. “Last year I was hurt and had to miss most of the season. To come back and be able to win this award, it just means a lot. Really, I struggled with my injury mentally. Luckily with the help of my family and my coach I was able to come back and make this year the best year.”

Reyes served as the linchpin in Edinburg North’s stout defense, which allowed less than one goal per game during district play.

The Reyes-anchored back line were a nightmare for opposing attackers, allowing more than one goal just twice during district play.

During that stretch was a eight-game winning streak by the Cougars in which they allowed just two goals, outscoring opponents 29-2.

“Being the captain, I had to be vocal with my teammates,” Reyes said. “I had to support them. If we didn’t have the ball, we were all defenders and find the ball. Once we get the ball, we all go on the offensive and find our lines as we attack the other way.”

Edinburg North’s stout defense helped pave the way to the Cougars’ third district title under head coach Elias Moran, finishing with a 8-2-0 mark during district play.

The same defensive effort was on display during Edinburg North’s run to the Region IV-6A championship game, outscoring opponents 13-3 before seeing their season end in the fifth round to Austin Vandergrift.

The Cougars’ regional final run tied the furthest playoff run in Edinburg North history, reaching the fifth round for the first time since 2017.

“The difference from previous years was the closeness of the team,” Reyes said. “We all got along with no problems. Being a part of this team, it makes me proud to see how far we came. I always told my teammates no matter where we lost, I was proud to be part of Edinburg North.”

 

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WRITER’S NOTE: This story is part of a series highlighting the Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star boys soccer all-area award winners. The Herald/Star coverage area ranges from Brownsville to La Feria. Check back throughout the week as we reveal the Lower Valley’s other superlative winners and be sure to pick up a copy of Saturday’s newspaper for a complete list of the all-area winners. 

Brownsville Lopez’s Ramon “Chacho” Zuniga served as the focal point of the team’s offensive attack last season, with the then-sophomore netting a program record 39 goals en route to numerous offseason honors.

With team’s focused on marking Zuniga this season, the junior athlete was asked to take on a new role for the Lobos, moving to numerous positions throughout the year.

From playing at the forward spot one game, to starting at midfielder or defender in others, Zuniga did a little of everything this season.

His versatility on the field opened the door for those around him all year long, helping the Lobos reach the Region IV-5A finals for the first time since 2017.

For his all-around effort, Zuniga is the Herald/Star 2024 All-Area Boys Soccer Utility Player of the Year.

“This year for me, I liked to play that different role,” Zuniga said. “As I become one of the older players on the team, I need to take responsibility in being the leader for the team. Being able to do everything around the field and doing whatever it takes to win shows the younger players what it takes. Sometimes you just have to play every position to help your team win.”

Zuniga didn’t just play multiple positions for the Lobos this year – the junior athlete dominated in all of them.

As a midfielder, he helped set up his teammates for numerous goals, commanding an offense which averaged 3.4 goals per contest.

Zuniga also assists on countless goals to his teammate Diego Guerra, who broke Zuniga’s school record of 39 single season goals this year by scoring 48.

“There was no problem with me giving up that scoring role from last year,” Zuniga said. “If Guerra can do it better than me, then why not let him? I like taking on that playmaker role. In the end it helped us both and helped the team in making it far.”

Zuniga didn’t just assist on goals this year, however, also displaying his scoring prowess despite playing less time as a forward than last year.

The Lobos’ junior netted 16 goals during district play, the second-best mark on the team and tied for 16th among all RGV scorers during district.

Zuniga also added a pair of goals during the postseason, finishing the year with a combined 18 goals during district play and the playoffs.

The Lopez do-it-all athlete could also be seen moving up as a defender when needed throughout the year, with the Lobos tasking him with marking some of the opposing team’s best attackers.

Zuniga enters his final season with a loaded resume already in tow, winning numerous postseason accolades.

Still, he’s set on adding one more thing to his name next year – state champion.

“Going into my senior year it is all about winning that state championship,” Zuniga said. “Just being the next Valley team to win it would be an honor. Seeing Hidalgo win it last year, it is motivating. Every year we’ve been improving. Our mentality has changed as we’ve gotten older. It allows us to be one step closer every time. Next year there is no other thing than getting to the final four and shooting for that state title.”

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WRITER’S NOTE: This story is part of a series highlighting The Monitor’s boys soccer all-area award winners. The Monitor’s coverage area ranges from Mercedes to Roma. Check back throughout the week as we reveal the Upper Valley’s other superlative winners and be sure to pick up a copy of Saturday’s newspaper for a complete list of the all-area winners. 

Finding Donna North’s Melvin Gomez on the field during any game wasn’t hard this past season. All anyone had to do was look for the ball.

No matter where Gomez lined up this year, the senior do-it-all athlete lived around the ball.

From attacking as a forward, to looking to take the ball away as a defender, Gomez impacted the game at every level.

For his versatility on the field, Gomez is The Monitor’s 2024 All-Area Boys Soccer Utility Player of the Year.

“It was a great season,” Gomez said. “I’m glad I had the team I had. Moving positions sometimes threw me off, but I knew me moving around could help my team out in ways we needed.”

Gomez was no stranger playing multiple positions heading into this season, crediting his time playing in club teams in developing him into a Swiss Army Knife on the pitch.

His primary position this season gave him command of the team’s offense, playing the center midfielder spot for the Chiefs.

From there Gomez was able to pilot the Chiefs’ offense to a whopping 3.4 goals per game during district play, coming up with countless assists to his teammates.

Gomez also made an impact offensively as a forward at times, scoring six goals of his own for the fourth-best mark on the team.

Other games Gomez made his impact outside of the box score, tasked with marking the opponent’s best player on numerous occasions, including starting at defender during both of the Chiefs’ two playoff games against District 31-5A MVP Diego Pina of PSJA Memorial and District 30-5A MVP Omar Solis of La Joya Juarez-Lincoln.

“It was a switch of mentality totally once I went over to the defender spot,” Gomez said. “As a midfielder you have the ball at your feet and you’re in control. Then as a defender I had to be patient and wait for them to come to my area. But the change was easy for me, I think.”

The Chiefs finished the year with a 13-2-3 mark during district play, finishing as the third seed in 32-5A behind Brownsville Lopez and Brownsville Porter.

Donna North also picked up a postseason win against PSJA Memorial during the Class 5A bi-district round before bowing out of the postseason in the area round to La Joya Juarez-Lincoln.

Gomez finishes his four-year varsity career with four playoff appearances under his belt, helping guide the Chiefs past the first round during two of those years.

“It was a great experience the past four years,” Gomez said. “Being able to play against competitive schools like Lopez, Porter and Rivera those years. It was just great. Making the playoffs all four years was amazing, but it just felt like time was too short.”

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WRITER’S NOTE: This story is part of a series highlighting the Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star boys soccer all-area award winners. The Herald/Star coverage area ranges from Brownsville to La Feria. Check back throughout the week as we reveal the Lower Valley’s other superlative winners and be sure to pick up a copy of Saturday’s newspaper for a complete list of the all-area winners. 

Harlingen High’s Juan Zapata wasn’t always a goalkeeper. The senior didn’t begin playing the position until seventh grade, starting in the net for then-head coach Joey Johnson at Gutierrez Middle School.

The two reconnected in high school, with Johnson taking over Harlingen High’s program in 2022. Since then, Zapata has started in the net for the Cardinals, evolving into one of the top goalkeepers in the Valley.

From a second-team all-district selection as a sophomore, to sharing the district’s goalie of the year award last year, Zapata has slowly climbed the ranks.

He put his best campaign together this past season, with the senior goalkeeper racking up nine clean sheets and helping the Cardinals advance to the third round of the playoffs for a second straight year.

Zapata is the Herald/Star 2024 All-Area Boys Soccer Goalkeeper of the Year.

“I wasn’t always a goalie,” Zapata said. “I started playing the position in middle school. I never really practiced it before, it just happened. I was decent enough back then I guess because here I am now.”

Like Zapata, the Cardinals have risen the ranks among the RGV’s top soccer programs over the past three seasons, going from a non-playoff team to a consistent contender for district and even state titles.

Last season the Cardinals made their first playoff appearance since 2018, advancing to the third round of the postseason for the first time since 2000.

They continued to build off that success this year, getting back to the Region IV-6A quarterfinals for a second straight year.

“It’s been a great journey,” Zapata said. “I remember seeing those videos of other teams going to the playoffs my sophomore year. Then being able to experience it myself with my team these past two years, it was great. We put in that work to get there though.”

A big reason for the Cardinals’ rise has been the consistent play of Zapata in the net. The senior goalkeeper made it difficult for opposing defenses to score this season, making countless acrobatic saves en route to a 6-3-1 district mark.

Zapata’s work didn’t end inside the net, also barking out commands to the defense to set them up for success.

“When it comes to being a goalie, you just have to do your job,” Zapata said. “When it comes to pressure, I don’t feel that much. I just got to do my job. It is just me and the goal. When I have a good game, it is just me doing my job.”

Harlingen High finished the year with a 17-8-6 overall mark, making back-to-back postseason appearances for the first time since making it three straight years from 2007-2009.

The Cardinals goalkeeper leaves big shoes to fill next season, leaving Harlingen High as a two-time District 32-6A goalkeeper of the year and a one-time all-area superlative award winner.

“It means a lot to win this award,” Zapata said. “It just shows my progress. My sophomore year I won second team all-district. Last year I got co-goalie of the year with someone else in the district. This year, I finally got it by myself in the district and even better I got the award for the Lower Valley. It means a lot. It shows I’m growing. I’ve put in the work, and it shows.”

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WRITER’S NOTE: This story is part of a series highlighting The Monitor’s boys soccer all-area award winners. The Monitor’s coverage area ranges from Mercedes to Roma. Check back throughout the week as we reveal the Upper Valley’s other superlative winners and be sure to pick up a copy of Saturday’s newspaper for a complete list of the all-area winners. 

Getting past Edinburg North’s back line proved a difficult task all season long. If opponents did manage to get past the Cougars’ defenders, they were met by a brick wall in goalkeeper Adrian Alvarez.

The Edinburg North senior made it near impossible to score against the Cougars this year, allowing more than one goal just twice during district play.

After recording six clean sheets in 10 district contests and helping Edinburg North reach the Region IV-6A championship for the first time since 2017, Alvarez is The Monitor’s All-Area Boys Soccer Goalkeeper of the Year.

“I’ve always put God first,” Alvarez said. “There is a lot of good goalkeeper in my area. I’m here representing a group called GK RGV. I carry them on my back. After I told them about my achievement, they were all happy. That’s who I do it for. For them and my family.”

Alvarez, who has been playing the position for nearly 13 years, thrived under the pressure inside the goal, almost always winning 1-on-1 situations against opposing attackers.

His combination of size, athleticism and mental fortitude allowed him erase shot attempts with relative ease.

“My mentality is they have a dream of scoring and I’m here to kill that dream,” Alvarez said. “You have your good days, and you have your bad days. You come in and you mess up sometimes. I learned that after like my 10th year of playing the position. You just got to move on and get the next one. That was the key this year.”

Alvarez’s play inside the net helped Edinburg North capture its third district title under head coach Elias Moran, finishing league play with a 8-2-0 mark.

Edinburg North also returned to the regional tournament for the first time since 2017, outscoring their first four opponents 13-3 en route to a Region IV-6A championship berth.

Alvarez continued to shine in the postseason, allowing just three goals during the four-game span, including another clean sheet performance during the Region IV-6A semifinals against San Antonio Jay.

The Cougars road came to an end in the Region IV-6A finals to Class 6A state semifinalist Austin Vandergrift, tying the deepest playoff run in Edinburg North history.

“I’m happy that we’ve put this team back on the map,” Alvarez said. “It had been a long seven years. We’re so happy to get back there. Going into that game, most of us were happy we made it, but we still wanted more. It didn’t end the way we wanted, but we’re happy and thank God for that opportunity to be among the top eight teams in the state.”

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WRITER’S NOTE: This story is part of a series highlighting the Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star boys soccer all-area award winners. The Herald/Star coverage area ranges from Brownsville to La Feria. Check back throughout the week as we reveal the Lower Valley’s other superlative winners and be sure to pick up a copy of Saturday’s newspaper for a complete list of the all-area winners. 

The San Benito Greyhounds returned to the UIL state soccer playoffs for the first time since 2019 this season, finishing fourth in District 32-6A.

A big reason for their return was the immediate impact of freshman midfielder Francisco Barrientos.

The San Benito first year scored five goals in 10 district games, ranking eighth in District 32-6A this year. Barrientos is the Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star 2024 All-Area Boys Soccer Newcomer of the Year.

“It means a lot winning this award,” Barrientos said. “There are a lot of kids out there going for this award too. I’m thankful for receiving this. I honestly don’t think I did my best this year, but I’m preparing even harder for next year so we can win team awards, district titles and all that stuff.”

Starting as a freshman on a playoff caliber team was no easy task for Barrientos, recalling the challenge of playing against experienced and older players from the start.

That didn’t slow the freshman midfielder from showing flashes during Year 1.

One of his biggest performances came during a district contest against Harlingen High on March 5, a game in which Barrientos scored the game-tying goal. The Greyhounds would go on to defeat the Cardinals in penalties to secure two points.

Barrientos also added a pair of two-goal performances during district play, scoring twice during an overtime loss to Los Fresnos and twice during a 6-0 win over Weslaco High.

“It was challenging facing those bigger people,” Barrientos said. “I just had to put in the work. Those last couple of games, I felt like I was used to it. I feel like I’ve got the rhythm and the speed of the game down now.”

San Benito’s season came to an end in the bi-district round of the 6A playoffs, falling Region IV-6A runner-up Edinburg North.

The early postseason loss left Barrientos motivated going into next season, looking for even more during Year 2.

“As an individual, I want to be MVP,” Barrientos said. “I feel like if I put in the work I can get that award. More importantly, though, we’re trying to see if next year we can be better as a team. Being in the playoffs as a freshman after not being there for five years, it is exciting and motivating.”

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