WESLACO — David Zuniga hasn’t competed in the RGV in nearly two years. Prior to his freshman year, Zuniga and his family relocated to Fairfax, Virginia, due to his father’s job.

There, Zuniga spent the first two years of his high school career running for James Madison High, making a name for himself on the cross-country course and on the track.

Zuniga and his family traded in the “Goldilocks” weather of Virginia for the hot and humid RGV climate this year, returning to the Valley for his junior and possibly senior seasons.

Sharyland Pioneer’s distance runner wasted no time reacquainting himself with the Valley competition, opening his junior year with a gold medal during the Weslaco ISD Invitational at Mary Hoge Middle School in Weslaco.

“Today’s race went out amazing, even though I went out a little slow,” Zuniga said. “I just transferred back, so I’m still getting used to it and shaking the rust off. … I’m going to use this win to my advantage. I got to know a little bit of the field. We had one of the top guys in the Valley out there today in Aaron Nava. He’s a big dog. We talked a little about how the race was going to go. I think he took it a little easy today, but it was still a good race for everyone. That experience of getting out and competing is just unmatched.”

Different climate and terrain presented a challenge during Zuniga’s first race in the RGV since eighth grade, battling through high temperatures and a flat surface in comparison to the cool and hilly courses in Virginia.

That didn’t stop Zuniga from shining during his return, clocking in at 16 minutes, 38.1 seconds for the win, just two seconds shy of his personal best set in Virginia, according to his Athletic.net profile.

“Coming down here and facing the weather changes, it is a hard obstacle,” Zuniga said. “Today I was able to face them, thanks to God. Over there it is cool, while over here we have hot and humid weather. Here it is flat, though, and over there it is a lot of hills, so I feel like it kind of evens out. I feel ready for this season. Good little rust buster today.”

Zuniga wasn’t the only athlete to pick up a milestone win Friday. Weslaco East senior Mareli Cuellar recorded the first win of her career during the same meet, finishing first in the girls division with a time of 21:04.2.

Prior to Friday, Cuellar had never finished in the top 10, according to her Athletic.net profile, with her 11th-place finish at the Donna ISD Invitational on Aug. 28, 2021, serving as her all-time best.

Weslaco East’s Mareli Cuellar celebrates her first place win during the Weslaco ISD Invitational cross country meet on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Weslaco. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])

“It is a big milestone for me,” Cuellar said. “I hope to keep it going and keep the times the same or better. I don’t know if I’ll get first again, but this is really motivating. I never expected to do this. I’m hoping to use this to help me make it to regionals as an individual and with my team. Maybe even get top 10.”

Cuellar’s performance helped the Wildcats capture the overall team victory, with their top five runners all finishing in the top 10. The Wildcats finished with 19 points for first, with Brownsville Hanna coming in second with 44 points.

The Wildcats completed a clean sweep of the team championship, with five top 10 finishes propelling the boys to the team championship over Sharyland Pioneer.

Senior Eric Davis led the way with a silver medal finish, clocking in at 16:44.1. Adrianno Gonzalez (17:02.4), Aaron Nava (17:19.6), Octavian Serna (17:20.9) and Ivan Gonzalez (19:08.9) all added top 10 finishes alongside Davis.

Weslaco East’s Eric Davis competes in the Weslaco ISD Invitational cross country meet on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Weslaco. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])

In Edcouch, La Feria’s boys and girls teams picked up right where they left off last season, sweeping the team championships during the 35th annual Yellow Jacket Invitational at David Ybarra Middle School in Edcouch.

Both teams are coming off state meet appearances a year ago, with the boys team fresh off a runner-up finish in the Class 4A team standings.

The Lions boys team was led by sophomore twins Armando and Anthony Morales, who finished first (15:36.21) and second (15:37.08) on Friday, respectively.

In Rio Grande City, a pair of Valley athletes took home the top spots on the podium during the Rio Grande City Invitational, while Laredo Nixon swept the team wins.

Sharyland High sophomore Patricio Garza clocked in at 16:21.8 to win the boys race, and Rio Grande City’s Morgan Ramos finished in 19:46.8 to win the girls gold.

The San Benito Dog Pound Invitational also took place over the weekend, but results were not available as of press time Saturday.

For results from all the weekend’s cross-country action, visit RGVSports.com.

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RIO GRANDE CITY — Grulla head football coach Abel Gonzalez has spent the past 13 years at the helm of the Gators.

Before he began roaming the sidelines with a headset on, however, Gonzalez was terrorizing defenses on the gridiron.

From earning All-Valley Offensive Player of the Year honors as a senior in high school to being named Lone Star Conference Offensive Back of the Year as a senior in college, Gonzalez racked up the accolades as a player.

Now he can add hall of famer to his resumè, being announced as a part of the 2023 Javelina Hall of Fame Class on Wednesday.

“I’m extremely humbled and honored by being inducted here,” Gonzalez said. “It is pretty crazy. I’ve played with a lot of great athletes. A lot of great football players have come through this university. To be inducted to the hall of fame, it really is a big deal. I’m really excited because it is a big moment for me and my family since they’ll be able to be there for the induction.”

The 1999 Rio Grande City graduate was a dominant force under center for the Rattlers during his senior season, leading them to a 7-6 mark and a third-round playoff appearance before taking his talents to Texas A&M Kingsville.

At Kingsville, Gonzalez continued to shine, amassing a 28-18 overall record during his four-year career behind 5,905 passing yards and 51 touchdowns.

He saved his best performances for the final two years of his collegiate career, tallying a 19-5 record during his junior and senior seasons, earning All-Lone Star Conference honors in both seasons.

Gonzalez left Kingsville with several program records in tow, while also ranking in the top 10 all-time in several categories. His 457 passing yards against UC Davis on Nov. 17, 2001, still ranks No. 1 in a single game in program history.

He also holds the record for most total yards in a season and in a career, racking up 3,173 in 2001 and finishing with 7,828 all-time.

“The teams that I played with, I had some special teammates and coaches that helped me with my success,” Gonzalez said. “It was a great time. We were able to put up big numbers. Like I said, I just had a great group around me.”

After his collegiate career, Gonzalez made a brief stint in the Arena Football League, playing for the RGV Dorados before leaving to pursue his coaching career in 2004.

Gonzalez spent two years coaching within PSJA ISD before returning home to Rio Grande City in 2006 to serve as his alma mater’s offensive coordinator. In 2010, Gonzalez left Rio Grande City to step into a new role in the newly formed Grulla High School, where he has served as the program’s athletic director and head coach since.

“During my senior year, my last game in the national semifinals, I tore my PCL, so I was kind of beat up after college,” Gonzalez said. “I was kind of young, so I recovered enough. The arena football thing opened locally, so I said let me give it a run. I had a great time there. I finished my last game there on a Saturday, and the next Monday I was already coaching. … I got hired at PSJA Memorial and it was a great place for me to switch gears as a player and flipped it into a coach. I fell in love with it and decided to not go back to arena football. I knew this is what I was going to do.”

Gonzalez is one of three former student-athletes set to be inducted into the Javelina Hall of Fame, joined by softball player Cassie Anderson and basketball player Isaac Washington.

The induction ceremony will be held Feb. 16 in the Memorial Student Union Building located at Texas A&M Kingsville.

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WRITER’S NOTE: The Monitor’s all-area superlative award winners and teams are selected by AIM Media’s staff writers with input from coaches. The Monitor’s coverage area spans from Mercedes to Roma.

THE MONITOR’S ALL-AREA BOYS SOCCER AWARD WINNERS

Player of the Year: Rey Cantu, Hidalgo

5A/6A Player of the Year: Edward Morales, Sharyland High

Offensive Player of the Year: Omar Solis, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln

Defensive Player of the Year: Gabriel Ordonez, Hidalgo

Utility Player of the Year: Vicente Alvarez, McAllen High

Goalkeeper of the Year: Sergio Castaneda, Hidalgo

Newcomer of the Year: Gael Guerra, McAllen High

Co-Coaches of the Year: Esteban Alegria and Zeke Morales, Hidalgo

THE MONITOR’S ALL-AREA TEAMS

All-Area First Team: Kevin Zepeda, Sharyland High; Ever Arredondo, Valley View; Peter Yanez, Valley View; Joaquin Rosales, Hidalgo; Juan Roque, Alamo IDEA; Rene Galvan, Edinburg Economedes; Adrian Medina, Edinburg IDEA Quest; Anthony Nava, Hidalgo; Erik Obregon, Edinburg Economedes; Carlos Martinez, Valley View; Miguel Campos, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln

All-Area Second Team: Jesus Martinez, Edinburg North; Leo Salinas, McAllen High; Christian Castillo, Pharr IDEA; Nicolas Gonzalez, La Joya Palmview; Yahir Pena, PSJA Southwest; Adrian Alvarez, McAllen Rowe; Gerardo Soto, Vanguard Rembrandt; Lazaro Lozano, Vanguard Rembrandt; Reynaldo Trevino, Hidalgo; Manuel Gomez, Progreso; Diego Rodriguez, Mission High

Player of the Year: Rey Cantu, Hidalgo

Hidalgo’s Rey Cantu is is The Monitor’s All-Area Boys Soccer Player of the Year. (Joel Martinez | The Monitor)

5A/6A Player of the Year: Edward Morales, Sharyland High

Sharyland High’s boys soccer team entered the 2023 season with high expectations, returning several key players from the previous year’s regional semifinal appearance.

The Rattlers team received an additional boost following the arrival of RGV FC Academy transfer Edward Morales for his senior year.

Morales did not disappoint during his one year at Sharyland High, orchestrating a dominant Rattlers offense, which averaged 4.6 goals per contest during district play.

He is The Monitor’s 2023 All-Area Boys Soccer 5A/6A Player of the Year.

Sharyland High’s Edward Morales is The Monitor’s All-Area Boys Soccer 5A/6A Player of the Year. (Joel Martinez | The Monitor)

“It was a surprise getting this award,” Morales said. “I didn’t expect to get that text message saying I won this award. It is a nice feeling. It is nice to see the hard work has paid off and that it is recognized. I take it with an applause, and it is time to move on.”

Things weren’t always smooth sailing for Morales and the Rattlers when he arrived on campus, with the team learning to play together and find their roles within the system.

Once Morales found his, he took off, serving as the cog that moved the Rattlers’ offensive machine. The Creighton signee ran the offense like a symphony, finding his teammates for a team-high 25 assists.

Morales did more than find his teammates, flashing his own ability to finish the play with 16 goals.

“It is all a blur, honestly,” Morales said. “I try to tell people to slow down, but everything just happens so fast. It is just natural to me at this point. I’ve been doing it for so long, it’s like chess. You just know where everybody is going to be at. As long as you’re thinking before you get the ball, you’ll be fine. It is mainly just thinking about the situation we were in. Every time we touched the field, we wanted to do well. There was a goal in mind at all games. It was just easy to find the rhythm and find everyone. It was more than just me. It was a whole team effort.”

With Morales and the Rattlers’ offense finding its groove, Sharyland High marched through District 31-5A play with a 12-1-5 mark, earning a share of the district crown.

The Rattlers finished the year as one of two RGV teams to make it to the state tournament, advancing to the Class 5A state semifinals before bowing out. Morales was at the center of the Rattlers’ run, coming up with timely assists and goals for his squad.

“We all knew what we had and what we were capable of,” Morales said. “We just had to keep working at it. At the beginning of the season we didn’t know who we were, but we knew we had a lot of talent. It was just a matter of putting in the hard work and time. It all came together down the stretch.”

Offensive Player of the Year: Omar Solis, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln

La Joya Juarez-Lincoln’s Omar Solis had a knack for finding the back of the net during his junior year.

From penalty kicks to free kicks, to simply beating his defender, Solis almost always found a way to get his name in the box score.

The Huskies’ striker averaged 2.4 goals per contest en route to a 33-goal district season, the No. 3 mark in the RGV this year. His dominant offensive showing guided the Huskies to their seventh straight district title and earns him The Monitor’s 2023 All-Area Boys Soccer Offensive Player of the Year award.

La Joya Juarez-Lincoln’s Omar Solis is The Monitor’s All-Area Boys Soccer Offensive Player of the Year. (Joel Martinez | The Monitor)

“I feel emotional after winning this award,” Solis said. “This motivates me to keep working harder and be even better next season.”

Slowing down Solis during district play was an impossible task, finding pay dirt at least once during each of the Huskies’ 14 games.

Among those games were 10 in which featured Solis scoring twice or more, including four games with three or more.

Solis carried his district dominance into the postseason, opening the playoffs with a brace against Corpus Christi Ray to help secure the 7-1 bi-district victory.

He brought his playoff total to three during the area round against McAllen High, netting the game-winner during the final minutes of the 1-0 victory.

“Since I was little, I have admired Leo Messi,” Solis said. “I always imagined playing like him, and that motivates me to play the same way on the field. I see him and the way he scores and plays he makes. It just speaks to me.”

The Huskies’ season ended in the Region IV-5A quarterfinal round, falling 1-0 to Brownsville Lopez in overtime. The game marked the first time Solis was held off the board in more than two months.

Solis returns for one final year with the Huskies next season, eyeing another 30-goal season and a deep playoff run.

Defensive Player of the Year: Gabriel Ordonez, Hidalgo

Finding paydirt against the Hidalgo Pirates this past season proved to be a difficult task, allowing just eight goals in 14 district contests and just seven scores in the postseason.

Anchoring the Pirates’ juggernaut defense was towering defender Gabriel Ordonez. The Pirates’ senior erased whole parts of the field with his physical play, making it hard to get within scoring range for their opponents.

Ordonez is The Monitor’s 2023 All-Area Boys Soccer Defensive Player of the Year.

Hidalgo’s Gabriel Ordonez is The Monitor’s All-Area Boys Soccer Defensive Player of the Year. (Joel Martinez | The Monitor)

“I feel very happy and proud of myself,” said Ordonez, who won the same award last season. “This isn’t an award I won from one day to another. It has taken all the little things in training to get better and get to this point.”

Ordonez’s physicality played a key role down the stretch during the Pirates’ state title run, helping Hidalgo keep its two state tournament opponents scoreless en route to the Class 4A crown.

His dominant showing during the state tournament earned him a spot on the all-tournament team.

Ordonez also took on another role during his senior season, emerging as a penalty kick taker for the Pirates, ending with three goals during the district play and adding another in the playoffs.

“More than anything, I wanted the responsibility with it being my last year,” Ordonez said. “I wouldn’t want anyone else to take those penalties and give them that responsibility. I wasn’t comfortable at first and I was nervous, but I knew it had to be me this year.”

Ordonez finished the season with numerous accolades, including District 30-4A first-team honors and a spot on the inaugural All-Valley team.

Utility Player of the Year: Vicente Alvarez, McAllen High

McAllen High’s Vicente Alvarez lined up at multiple positions throughout the season for the Bulldogs this season. From playing forward to midfielder, he did whatever was asked.

No matter where Alvarez lined up, however, he almost always made his impact felt during McHi’s historic 2023 season, netting 32 goals and 10 assists in 26 games played.

He is The Monitor’s 2023 All-Area Boys Soccer Utility Player of the Year.

McAllen High’s Vicente Alvarez is The Monitor’s All-Area Boys Soccer Utility Player of the Year. (Joel Martinez | The Monitor)

“It means everything winning this award,” Alvarez said. “To me, it doesn’t matter what award you win because to win any award is insane to win against the hundreds of good players we have in the Valley. It is a beautiful moment for me and my family.”

Alvarez left his stamp on the game nearly every time he stepped onto the field this season, scoring in 14 of 17 district appearances to help the Bulldogs capture a share of the District 31-5A crown.

His 24 district goals ranked second in District 31-5A and tied for seventh in the Valley.

His scoring prowess also helped open the door for his teammates, drawing the attention of his defenders when lined up at midfield to set up his teammates for goals.

“It was an interesting season, playing at several spots, but it was fun,” Alvarez said. “It is nice being able to help the team wherever I can. If I can play somewhere to help the team, I am happy to play there.”

Alvarez’s stellar 2023 campaign helped McAllen High earn at least a share of the district title and postseason berth for the first time in six years.

During his postseason debut, Alvarez shone once again, recording a brace during a 3-2 victory over Donna North for McAllen High’s first postseason win since 2016.

Alvarez’s senior season earned him a spot on St. Edwards University’s boys soccer team next fall. He leaves McHi as the program’s single-season goals leader.

Goalkeeper of the Year: Sergio Castaneda, Hidalgo

Hidalgo’s Sergio Castaneda was a brick wall inside the net for the Pirates this season.

The sophomore goalkeeper was near impossible to score on during Hidalgo’s run to the Class 4A title, with the Pirates allowing less than a goal per contest.

His fearless effort inside the net resulted in clean sheets during eight of the Pirates’ 14 district contests, allowing just eight goals during district play.

Castaneda is The Monitor’s 2023 All-Area Boys Soccer Goalkeeper of the Year.

Hidalgo’s Sergio Castaneda is The Monitor’s All-Area Boys Soccer Goalkeeper of the Year. (Joel Martinez | The Monitor)

“I worked hard from when I was a kid to be able to make it as a goalie,” Castaneda said. “Thanks to God, I am able to get this award saying I’m the best goalie in the area. It feels really good. Allowing just eight goals, it goes back to working hard in practice on our defense. Because of that we were able to finish as one of the top defenses and for me winning this award.”

Castaneda wasn’t just dominant during the regular season. The District 30-4A goalkeeper of the year showcased his talents during the postseason, too, with the team allowing more than one score just twice during the Pirates’ seven playoff contests.

Most scores came with the game already in hand and Castaneda already on the bench, with Hidalgo outscoring its playoff opponents 27-7 during that span.

Castaneda saved his best work for the Pirates’ final three games of the season. During the Region IV-4A final, he came up with saves on three of Boerne’s five penalty attempts to eliminate the reigning back-to-back Class 4A state champs and send the Pirates to state.

He followed it up with back-to-back clean sheets at the state tournament, including a three-save contest in the semifinal, to help the Pirates capture the Class 4A state crown.

“I’m always confident in myself,” Castaneda said. “During that game against Boerne, I told my teammates before the shootout that I was going to take them to state. I came up with the saves and took us to state, and then we completed our goal.”

Newcomer of the Year: Gael Guerra, McAllen High

Playing goalkeeper comes with tons of pressure and responsibility. Stepping into the starting role as a freshman adds even more pressure.

That didn’t phase McAllen High’s Gael Guerra during his first year with the Bulldogs, emerging as one of the top goalies in the area during his freshman campaign.

The Bulldogs’ freshman finished with 146 saves and five clean sheets during district play, adding a pair of shootout victories. Guerra is The Monitor’s 2023 All-Area Boys Soccer Newcomer of the Year.

McAllen High’s Gael Guerra is The Monitor’s All-Area Boys Soccer Newcomer of the Year. (Joel Martinez | The Monitor)

“It was a big deal for me winning this award,” Guerra said. “At the end of the day, for me, this is a team award. If it wasn’t for my defenders being there, I wouldn’t be getting this award. I didn’t feel any pressure coming in. I had confidence in my ability and in my team and defenders.”

Guerra was thrust into the starting role from the get-go, joining a starting group loaded with underclassmen.

It didn’t take long for Guerra to earn the respect and confidence of his teammates, coming up with big saves throughout district play to help McHi capture a share of the district title for the first time since 2016.

One of his biggest performances came in a shootout against PSJA Southwest during district play, saving four of the Javelinas’ five attempts to secure the two points. The win proved to be a difference down the line, with McHi edging PSJA Southwest in the district standings by just three points.

Guerra enters next season as a veteran on a team graduating several key role players, looking to build off his team’s and his own success from last season.

“My mindset is to continue this success,” Guerra said. “We had a lot of it this past year, but we’re losing a lot of players. We’re going to have a lot of young players step up, including me, and we should still be a pretty good team.”

Co-Coaches of the Year: Esteban Alegria and Ezekiel Morales, Hidalgo

No team had a better soccer campaign this season than Hidalgo. The Pirates posted a dominating 29-7-3 record en route to the Class 4A state title.

Leading the charge for the Pirates this season were Esteban Alegria and Zeke Morales, each spending roughly half the season at the helm for Hidalgo.

Alegria and Morales are The Monitor’s 2023 All-Area Boys Soccer Co-Coaches of the Year.

Hidalgo head coach Esteban Alegria and former Hidalgo head coach Zeke Morales are The Monitor’s All-Area Boys Soccer Co-Coaches of the Year. (Joel Martinez | The Monitor)

“It was tough circumstances we were put in, but at the end of the day you pull through,” Alegria said. “What I always thought was we’re doing this for the kids. I’m not trying to make a pun, but someone has to steer the pirate ship. I took a step forward and I’m not going to lie, it was difficult. At the end of the day, all the pieces of the puzzle meshed at the right time and kind of sailed.”

“I’m grateful and thankful to God for the opportunity to be nominated and recognized like this,” Morales said. “It is humbling for me. This award is not only for me, but for my kids, the parents and the community. At the end of the day, this is their accomplishment. I always say teams are reflections of the parents and coaches. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to win anything.”

The Pirates dominated during the early half of the season under Morales, going 14-5-2. Three of those losses came from a self-imposed three-game forfeit by the Pirates.

Among those wins were a victory in the championship game of the Brownsville ISD tournament silver bracket and a win over then-reigning Class 4A back-to-back state champion Boerne during Hidalgo’s Copa La Frontera Tournament final.

“Winning that Copa La Frontera for the first time in 16 years against the two-time state champ, it gave us so much confidence and momentum,” Morales said. “It just built us up so much. We knew we had a strong team going in.”

Five games into district play, Morales was suspended indefinitely before being relieved of his coaching duties in late February. That didn’t slow the Pirates’ quest for a state title, as they went 15-1-0 under Alegria during the second half of the season.

During that span, the Pirates posted a 9-1-0 mark over their final 10 district games, outscoring their opponents 75-8. Their lone loss came as a forfeit by the Pirates against Zapata amid the midseason coaching changes.

Hidalgo continued to dominate in the postseason under Alegria, outscoring its seven playoff opponents 27-7 en route to the Class 4A state title.

“I know I’m still relatively young compared to other coaches. This is just my eighth-year coaching, sixth coaching soccer, but this season is No. 1 for sure compared to my others,” Alegria said. “I don’t think anything else will top this unless we go back again. I think it’ll be No. 1 for a while because of everything that happened and the obstacles. Not just the adults, but the kids were able to get past everything and move forward. Like I said before, this season is enough to make an ESPN 30-for-30.”

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McALLEN — Hidalgo’s Rey Cantu was unsure what his senior season would look like. He entered the 2023 campaign still recovering from an ACL injury, which required surgery and months of rehab.

On top of the physical challenges, the senior forward had to battle with himself mentally as well, fearing another injury would happen when he returned to the pitch.

“I was really scared returning to the field,” Cantu said. “Even after eight months, I felt like I was going to hurt myself again or break something. Luckily, with the help of my therapist, Paul Trevino, and Coach (Zeke) Morales and his assistants, I was able to gain my confidence back and come back like I had left.”

Nothing could slow Cantu during his senior season, however, as he overcame all obstacles in his way en route to a dominant 2023 campaign.

The Pirates’ senior captain netted a Valley-leading 40 goals in 13 district games before adding another eight during the Pirates’ run to the Class 4A state title.

Cantu is The Monitor’s 2023 All-Arena Boys Soccer Boys Soccer Player of the Year.

“It feels good to win this award after not being able to win it my previous years,” Cantu said. “I’ve worked really hard after my injury to be 100% for my teammates and be able to win state. After the work is done, that’s when the awards and recognition comes. This year, I was able to be named player of the year.”

Cantu played the 2023 season with a state-or-bust mentality, looking to bring a state title to Hidalgo for the first time since 2009.

His mentality translated into one of the state’s most dominant offensive attacks, with the Pirates averaging 7.2 goals per contest during district play behind Cantu’s 3.1 goals per game.

“For me it is always about a goal,” Cantu said. “I told my team we can’t go scared into any game. We wanted teams like Boerne to see how many goals we scored and be scared of us. I told my team we had to have that mentality to show Hidalgo wasn’t just any team.”

The Pirates’ juggernaut offense continued to roll in the postseason behind Cantu, outscoring the team’s first three playoff opponents 18-4 to advance to the Region IV-4A tournament.

Cantu saved some of his best performances for the Pirates’ final four games. During Hidalgo’s Region IV-4A semifinal against Austin Achieve, he netted the go-ahead goal during the final seconds to set up a matchup against then-reigning Class 4A state champion Boerne.

Against the Greyhounds, Cantu scored one of two goals by the Pirates, helping Hidalgo overcome Boerne and advance to the state tournament.

Cantu stole the show during the biggest stage of his career, adding another game-winner during Hidalgo’s state semifinal against San Elizario.

He followed it up with a two-goal performance against Palestine in the Class 4A state title game, leading the Pirates to a 3-0 victory and earning him the game’s MVP award.

Cantu’s senior season led to accolades and rewards rolling in for the Pirates’ superstar. Cantu was named to the District 30-4A first team for a second straight year, while also being named boys soccer player of the year during the All-Valley Sports Award Banquet.

He’ll get a chance to continue his career at the next level as well, signing to play at Blinn College next fall.

“My mentality was that this was my last year,” Cantu said. “I always told my teammates if we don’t win state, we’d leave Hidalgo with a sour taste in our mouths and wonder ‘What if?’ I had to give it my all because this was my last year. I wanted to leave here as a state champion. Thanks to God, we made it happen and we’re here now.”

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WRITER’S NOTE: The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star’s all-area superlative award winners and teams are selected by AIM Media’s staff writers with input from coaches. The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star’s coverage area spans from La Feria to Brownsville.

THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD/VALLEY MORNING STAR’S 2023 ALL-AREA BOYS SOCCER SUPERLATIVES

Player of the Year: Ramon Zuniga, Brownsville Lopez

Small School Player of the Year: Haziel Mejia, Brownsville IDEA Riverview

Co-Offensive Players of the Year: Martin Gonzalez, Brownsville Porter & Kevin Zamora, Los Fresnos

Defensive Player of the Year: Adrian Longoria, Brownsville Rivera

Utility Player of the Year: Ricardo Davila, Brownsville IDEA Sports Park

Newcomer of the Year: Gael Zuniga, Harlingen High

Coach of the Year: Joseph Johnson, Harlingen High

THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD/VALLEY MORNING STAR’S ALL-AREA TEAMS

All-Area First Team: Cesar Garza, Brownsville Rivera; Alessandro Lara, Brownsville Porter; Joe Diaz Rivera, Brownsville Rivera; Ivan Galvan, Los Fresnos; Efrain Garcia, Brownsville Rivera; Jesus Hernandez, Brownsville Lopez; Rogelio Galvan, Brownsville Jubilee; Ricardo Leal, Brownsville Porter; Jose Padron, Brownsville Lopez; Ray Castillo, Harlingen High; Adolfo Segura, Brownsville Porter

All-Area Second Team: Sergio Gomez, Brownsville Hanna; Carlos Garcia, Harlingen High; Forward, Juan Nieto, Donna High; Emilio Cahuiche, Brownsville Pace; David Reyes, Donna North; Jesus Saenz, Brownsville IDEA Sports Park; Jerry Martinez, Harlingen High; Kevin Ramirez, Brownsville Jubilee; Duilo Espinoza, Brownsville Porter; Juan Zapata, Harlingen High

Player of the Year: Ramon Zuniga, Brownsville Lopez

Brownsville Lopez’s Ramon “Chacho” Zuniga is The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star’s 2023 Boys Soccer Player of the Year. (Denise Cathey | Valley Morning Star)

Small School Player of the Year: Haziel Mejia, Brownsville IDEA Riverivew

Brownsville IDEA Riverview’s Haziel Mejia was a walking cheat code during his senior year.

The TSC signee was a near guarantee to score night after night, averaging 2.6 goals per contest in 16 appearances.

His 34 district goals accounted for more than half of IDEA Riverview’s 61 district goals, helping the Rockets finish second in district and advance to the postseason.

Mejia is The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star 2023 All-Area Small School Player of the Year.

Brownsville IDEA Riverview’s Haziel Mejia is The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star’s 2023 Boys Soccer Small School Player of the Year. (Denise Cathey | Valley Morning Star)

“I feel very good and happy winning this award,” Mejia said. “It is no easy task winning an award like this in the Valley. It’s a big prize not just for me, but for my school as well. To my former teammates, I want to tell them to keep working hard. We have a lot of talent at our small school. I know even though I’m leaving we have some quality players still.”

Mejia put up video game-like numbers during his final year, scoring two or more goals during nine of his 16 games played.

Among those contests were five games with more than three scores, including an eight-goal game against La Feria and a six-goal outing against Rio Hondo.

“For me it is all about winning,” Mejia said. “I just focus on making as many as I can and not missing any shots to get us a win.”

The Rockets’ striker finishes his career as a four-year letter winner, averaging 29.3 goals per season.

He gave his best performance during his last year, netting a career-high 42 goals in 16 overall appearances to bring his career total to 117. Mejia also added 26 career assists.

Co-Offensive Players of the Year: Martin Gonzalez, Brownsville Porter and Kevin Zamora, Los Fresnos

Rio Grande Valley boys soccer fans came to know the names Martin Gonzalez and Kevin Zamora this past season.

Brownsville Porter’s Gonzalez and Los Fresnos’ Zamora were regulars on the box score for their teams this year, averaging 1.4 and 1.6 goals per game during district play, respectively.

The duo’s marks ranked among the top 10 in the RGV this season, with only five players scoring at a higher rate.

Gonzalez and Zamora are The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star 2023 All-Area Boys Soccer Co-Offensive Players of the Year.

Los Fresnos Kevin Zamora (7) and Brownsville Porter’s Martin Gonzalez are The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star’s 2023 Boys Soccer Co-Offensive Players of the Year. (Denise Cathey | Valley Morning Star)

“This is an award that I had been wanting to get during my career,” Gonzalez said. “Thanks to God, I was able to get it during my senior year.”

“For my last year, it is pretty awesome going out with this award,” Zamora said. “It means a lot to be remembered as the offensive player of the year for this season.”

Gonzalez was the focal point of Brownsville Porter’s juggernaut offense this season, accounting for 40% of the Cowboys’ goals during district play.

The Cowboys’ midfielder used a combination of size and speed to blow past defenders this season, netting a district-leading 26 goals in 18 appearances.

Gonzalez’s offensive brilliance was on display in the postseason as well, adding a brace during the Cowboys’ 4-0 area-round victory over Victoria East to send them to the Region IV-5A quarterfinal round.

“I don’t like to compare my style of play with other players,” Gonzalez said. “I just like to compete with myself and get better every day. That’s why I try to take players off the dribble and pass it to my teammates if I can. If not, I know that I can finish it myself.”

Zamora, like Gonzalez, served as the focal point of his team’s offense, accounting for 30% of his team’s goals during district play.

His 16 goals in 10 district appearances ranked No. 1 in District 32-6A, with his average of 1.6 goals per contest ranking fifth in the RGV.

Zamora ramped up his play in the second half of district, scoring 10 of his 16 goals during the five-game span. Among those games were three straight contests with three or more goals.

The senior forward added one more goal during the Falcons’ 2-1 overtime loss to San Antonio Harlan during the area round of the postseason.

“Honestly, I was just in the area waiting for the goals,” Zamora said. “We needed someone on the team to step up, so they put me up top. I ended up being able to score the goals we needed.”

Defensive Player of the Year: Adrian Longoria, Brownsville Rivera

Defense was Brownsville Rivera’s calling card during the 2023 season, allowing less than one goal per contest in 32 games played.

Leading the defensive front was sophomore Adrian Longoria.

The sparkplug defender isn’t the biggest on the field, standing at roughly 5-foot-6. That didn’t stop him from emerging as a captain among the Raiders, using an aggressive and fearless play style to establish himself as one of the RGV’s top defenders.

Longoria is The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star 2023 All-Area Boys Soccer Defensive Player of the Year.

Brownsville Rivera’s Adrian Longoria is The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star’s 2023 Boys Soccer Defensive Player of the Year. (Denise Cathey | Valley Morning Star)

“I want to say thank you to all the coaches and my teammates that supported and motivated me this year,” Longoria said. “It means a lot to win this award, but this is only the beginning. I was only a sophomore last year. I am going for even more next season.”

Longoria’s work from his defender role was crucial during district play, helping the Raiders shut out five of their 10 opponents.

The Longoria-led defense helped the Raiders to a 9-0-1 district record, allowing just nine goals en route to the District 32-6A crown.

“You have to be smart and be able to talk with your teammates as a defender,” Longoria said. “You have to be able to move into the right place and cover your teammates’ spots. We were able to do that. I just try to be aggressive and smart, and keep it simple.”

Longoria and the defense continued to carry the team during the postseason, allowing just two goals through the first four rounds, including a pair of shutout wins over San Antonio O’Connor and Harlingen High.

Rivera’s season came to an end in a Region IV-6A semifinal against Class 6A state runner-up Dripping Springs, leaving the Longoria and the Raiders motivated heading into next season.

“We’re going for more next year,” Longoria said. “We got a district title, but we want the main title.”

Utility Player of the Year: Ricardo Davila, Brownsville IDEA Sports Park

Brownsville IDEA Sports Park’s Ricardo Davila did it all for the Stingrays during his senior season. Whenever his team needed a score, Davila was there making a play.

Whether putting it in the back of the net himself or finding his teammates, Davila ran the show for the Stingrays, doing whatever was necessary to pick up the win.

The TSC signee averaged a team-high 1.7 goals and 1.2 assists per game during the Stingrays’ run to the Region IV-4A quarterfinals. Davila is The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star 2023 All-Area Boys Soccer Utility Player of the Year.

Brownsville IDEA Sports Park’s Ricardo Davila is The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star’s 2023 Boys Soccer Utility Player of the Year. (Denise Cathey | Valley Morning Star)

“It feels good winning this during my last year playing high school soccer,” Davila said. “There were some difficult moments, but I gave everything I had this year, and the team did, too. Being a captain of the team, I had to take on that role and give everything my last season.”

Davila faced new challenges coming into this season, with the Stingrays making the jump from the Texas Charter School Academic & Athletic League to the University Interscholastic League.

The move didn’t phase Davila, who put up 30 goals and 27 assists in 18 games. He did most of his work during district play, putting up 23 goals in 14 league games to go along with 22 assists.

“My mentality is always to win no matter the opponent,” Davila said. “Even if we’re facing a difficult team, my focus is on doing whatever it takes to win. There were difficulties in the move because of the new level of opponents, but we were able to come together as a team and come out strong.”

With Davila leading the charge, the Stingrays set a high bar during their first year competing in the UIL, picking up a pair of wins before bowing out in the third round of the postseason.

Goalkeeper of the Year: Francisco De La Garza, Brownsville St. Joseph

Brownsville St. Joseph put together a magical run this season, finishing as the TAPPS Division II state runner-up.

A key part to its success was the dominant force inside the net for the Bloodhounds.

Senior goalkeeper Francisco De La Garza anchored the Bloodhounds’ defense from between the posts during a 13-game winning streak that culminated in a state championship appearance.

De La Garza is The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star 2023 All-Area Boys Soccer Goalkeeper of the Year.

Brownsville St. Joseph’s Francisco De La Garza is The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star’s 2023 Boys Soccer Goalkeeper of the Year. (Courtesy Photo)

A multi-purpose athlete on the gridiron, De La Garza displayed similar athletic ability on the pitch. The 6-foot-1 goalkeeper used his length and athleticism to clear shots out of danger on numerous occasions.

His dominance inside the net was on full display during the Bloodhounds’ postseason run. St. Joseph outscored its first three opponents 10-2 en route to the state title game, including a clean sheet by De La Garza during the second round.

De La Garza’s dominance during his senior season earned him numerous accolades, including TAPPS DII first-team all-state honors.

Newcomer of the Year: Gael Zuniga, Harlingen High

Harlingen High advanced to the postseason for the first time in five years and just the fifth time since 2000.

The Cardinals also picked up their first playoff win since 2018, while advancing to the third round in over two decades.

Helping spark the Harlingen’s turnaround season was freshman Gael Zuniga. The Cardinals midfielder stepped into the starting lineup almost seamlessly, scoring 11 goals and four assists during his debut season.

Zuniga is The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star 2023 All-Area Boys Soccer Newcomer of the Year.

Harlingen High’s Gael Zuniga is The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star’s 2023 Boys Soccer Newcomer of the Year. (Denise Cathey | Valley Morning Star)

“I’m blessed to win this award,” Zuniga said. “I couldn’t do it without God. He guided me this whole season. I’m just happy. It was hard coming in, especially with my size and my speed. I think what helped me a lot was my knowledge of the game. I think I came in ready to go, though. From my first scrimmage, I felt ready.”

Zuniga wasted no time making a name for himself in his freshman season, delivering a hat trick during his first career district game.

He continued to display his potential throughout the rest of district play, adding a clutch two-goal performance against Brownsville Hanna down the stretch to help Harlingen High mount a comeback and beat the Eagles in penalty kicks.

Zuniga’s freshman campaign set the bar high for himself and his team going into next season, as they will be looking to build off the Cardinals’ return to the postseason.

“For myself, I’m just going to work harder,” Zuniga said. “We already set the bar, so now it is only up from here.”

Coach of the Year: Joseph Johnson, Harlingen High

Harlingen High wasn’t on anybody’s radar coming into the 2023 boys soccer season.

The Cardinals were five years removed from their last postseason appearance and had qualified for the big dance just four times during the past two decades.

Teams quickly found out the Cardinals weren’t the same team as in years past, however, with the Big Red machine hanging with the best of them.

Led by second-year head coach Joey Johnson, Harlingen High finished with a 5-4-1 district record, advancing to the postseason for the first time in five years.

Johnson is The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star 2023 All-Area Boys Soccer Coach of the Year.

Harlingen High head coach Joseph Johnson is The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star’s 2023 Boys Soccer Coach of the Year. (Denise Cathey | Valley Morning Star)

“I tell people I am a quiet person, so I always appreciate the awards from a sit-down-and-think-about-life standpoint,” Johnson said. “When it comes to seeing my name in the paper, all the credit at the end of the day goes to the kids and them buying in to what my plan is. At the end of the day, I’m just the orchestrator. They’re the ones playing the music for me, so they make me look good.”

Johnson’s Cardinals weren’t satisfied with a playoff berth. Once in the postseason, Harlingen High continued to make noise, opening the playoffs with a dominating 5-1 victory over District 31-6A champion Edinburg Economedes for its first playoff win in five years.

The Cardinals followed it up with a 3-2 victory over Del Rio in the second round, sending Harlingen High into the third round for the first time since 1996.

Harlingen High came up just short of a regional tournament bid, losing a 1-0 nailbiter to District 32-6A champion Brownsville Rivera in a Region IV-6A quarterfinal.

The Cardinals’ historic season brings new pressure for next season, with Harlingen High not likely flying under the radar during Johnson’s third year at the helm.

“It is good pressure to have,” Johnson said. “Pressure means we are respected. There is really nothing added at the end of the day. We just have to keep doing what we’re doing and everything will fall into place. It’ll be good to see these guys fighting their way out of a corner. Now there is a target on our back. We have to rise to the occasion and show we’re here to stay, and not just a one year wonder.”

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HARLINGEN — Ramon Zuniga wanted to play for Brownsville Lopez for as long as he can remember. He recalls going to Lobos games when he was younger, waiting for his moment to step onto the field.

Zuniga’s moment arrived last season, setting the tone for what could be an illustrious career following a 14-goal freshman campaign.

The Lobos’ striker took it to another level this season, scoring a program-record 39 goals and leading the Lobos to the regional tournament for the first time in six years.

Zuniga is The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star’s 2023 Boys Soccer Player of the Year.

“It means a lot to me to win this award,” Zuniga said. “Going into this season, I worked so hard for my team and for us to get far. I didn’t have any expectations for myself coming into this season. With this award, though, it shows the hard work I gave throughout the whole season.”

Zuniga opened the season red hot, matching his season total of 14 goals last season in just 10 non-district matches.

He carried that momentum into district, averaging 1.4 goals per contest to spearhead a furious Lobos offensive attack. His 24 district goals ranked eighth in the RGV.

“The biggest difference from last year was my confidence,” Zuniga said. “I also had a good group of teammates and captains supporting me. I had the best captains and best supporting cast, especially my coaches. My family also played a big role. They always came to my games. This season was just an honor.”

Zuniga’s offensive dominance yielded a historic season by the sophomore striker, cementing his place among Lopez’s greats late in the regular season.

His goal during the Lobos 4-1 victory over Edcouch-Elsa moved him into No. 1 all-time in single-season goals scored at Brownsville Lopez, surpassing the mark of 34 set by Enrique “Chicles” Zuniga in 2005.

Zuniga added another five goals before the year’s end, setting the program mark at 39.

“It means a lot for me to get that record,” Zuniga said. “I remember coming to the games with my dad, so this means so much. I’ve seen the great players Lopez has produced and where they’re playing now. For me to be able to secure a spot with a program as historic as Lopez is amazing.”

With Zuniga leading the offensive charge, the Lobos marched past the first round for the first time since 2018, with Zuniga sealing the 3-2 victory over Valley View in the opening round with a late goal.

The Lobos marched on to the Region IV-5A tournament for the first time in six years following their opening-round win before bowing out to Leander Rouse in the regional semifinal round.

With a record-setting year behind him, Zuniga has his eyes on even more next season.

“Next year I really just want to go to state and contend for that state title. That is all I need,” Zuniga said. “Maybe another MVP award, too, though.”

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WRITER’S NOTE: Story is to be updated later with quotes from Emma Lucio.

When Emma Lucio stepped onto the court this season, the Edinburg Vela guard drew the attention of everyone in the building. From the defense to the spectators, Lucio had all eyes on her night after night.

The increased attention couldn’t slow Lucio from doing what she did throughout her four-year varsity career — dominating on the hardwood.

Lucio carved up defenses for 22.8 points per game this year, adding 6.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 4.3 steals per contest.

Her dominant play was the driving force behind Edinburg Vela’s historic run, helping the program capture its second straight district title and advance to a Region IV-5A semifinal for the first time in program history.

Lucio is The Monitor’s 2023 All-Area Girls Basketball Player of the Year.

Lucio faced countless different defensive strategies night after night as a senior. Some nights, Lucio was marked with two defenders, while other nights coaches did everything in their power to get her in foul trouble and off the court.

None of that could slow her down, however, using her crafty handles and deadly pull-up jumper to set a new career-high in points per game. Lucio also flashed her elite court vision, dishing out 3.2 assists per game.

Lucio’s impact went beyond the offensive side of the ball, operating as a lockdown defender and a rebound machine.

The Sabercats guard crashed the boards for 6.6 rebounds per game, adding 4.3 steals per contest en route to Rio Grande Valley Basketball Coaches Association 5A All-Valley defensive team and District 31-5A defensive team honors.

Lucio’s defensive honors were just two of several accolades that rolled in for the Edinburg Vela guard during her senior year.

She was named District 31-5A and RGVBCA 5A All-Valley MVP for her work on both sides of the ball, also nabbing Texas Girls Coaches Association 5A all-state and Texas Association of Basketball Coaches all-Region IV-5A honors. Lucio was also voted as AIM Media’s All-Valley Girls Basketball Player of the Year.

Lucio’s high school career translated into an opportunity at the next level, as she signed to continue her basketball career at the University of Texas-San Antonio.

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