BROWNSVILLE — When people talk about boys high school soccer in Brownsville, teams such as Brownsville Lopez, Brownsville Porter and Brownsville Rivera come to mind.
Down in the Class 4A level, however, is a fairly new squad continuing the tradition of soccer excellence in the Metro area.
The Brownsville Jubilee Titans joined the University Interscholastic League four years ago and are on a mission to capture their third district title since making the move from the Texas Charter School Academic & Athletic League.
“We went into UIL four years ago, and a lot of people thought we were going to struggle,” Brownsville Jubilee head coach Roberto Coronado said. “We are a small school but we know we have the talent and skill. They have a lot of potential. Bringing them together in pieces, throughout the last years they’ve been able to play together and do their part.”
Through their first three years the Titans have amassed a 31-7 district record. The Titans made a splash during their first year in the UIL in 2020, capturing the District 32-4A title before the season ended prematurely amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Their second season featured the Titans finishing as runners-up behind Brownsville IDEA Riverview before reclaiming their spot at the top last season with a 11-1 record during district play.
“I’ve been here since we started UIL,” Brownsville Jubilee defender Kevin Ramirez said. “It was very difficult at first because it felt like the soccer program was at the bottom for the school. I’ve seen how much we’ve grown throughout the years. This year feels like we’re finally starting to get recognized. We’ve started to get more equipment from the school and more fans.”
This year they’ve continued their dominant start with a 6-1-0 record through the first round of district play.
They currently sit comfortably in first place with 18 points after Round 1, with Brownsville IDEA Riverview trailing by seven points with two games left in their first-round schedule.
While another district title may be on the horizon, this year’s group has its eyes set on something bigger, hoping to get the Titans past the second round for the first time in program history.
The past two seasons, Brownsville Jubilee has fallen in the area round by a score of 2-1 each time.
“District, yeah, it is important for our record, but playoffs are what makes the difference for a program,” Brownsville Jubilee midfielder Gustavo Mata said. “We have a really good team. We don’t have size like some of these playoff teams who are bigger and maybe even faster. The goal still is getting past the third and hopefully farther. More than anything though, we want to gain the respect of the school. We’ve been getting it little by little.”
The Titans (6-1-0) get a bye week Friday before returning to action with a non-district contest against Santa Maria at 7 p.m. Tuesday. They’ll kick off the second round of district play at 6 p.m. Feb. 10 against Port Isabel at home.
OFFENSIVE FIREPOWER
No player eclipsed more than 14 goals during district play in the Valley’s 5A districts last year. Several players are on pace to blow past the mark with more than a handful of games still set to be played.
McAllen High’s Vicente Alvarez has been an offensive wizard with the ball at his feet, scoring a Valley-leading 11 goals in six district contests. The senior forward has found paydirt during each district contest this year.
Meanwhile, two of District 32-5A’s top three scorers wear blue and white on gamedays, with senior Alessandro Lara and Martin Gonzalez each sitting at nine goals through six district games. Brownsville Lopez’s Chacho Zuniga sits tied for first with the Cowboys’ duo, netting nine goals as well.
| Left to right, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln’s Omar Solis, McAllen High’s Vicente Alvarez and Brownsville Porter’s Martin Gonzalez are among top scorers in the RGV’s Class 5A districts. |
All three are on pace to score 27 goals this season, averaging 1.5 goals per contest, with Alvarez on pace for 33.
Valley View’s Ever Arredondo and La Joya Juarez-Lincoln’s Omar Solis each have nine goals heading into Friday, with Arredondo reaching the mark in six games and Solis doing it in three.
To see the reported scoring leaders in each district, visit RGVSports.com.
ON YOUR MARKS
The Valley’s 6A soccer districts are finally set to get the ball rolling, with 32-6A kicking off district play tonight and 31-6A set to follow Tuesday.
District 32-6A’s opening night features a battle between two of its top teams facing off in Brownsville Rivera and Los Fresnos. The district title hopefuls faced off during the 16th annual Copa La Frontera tournament in late January, with the Raiders and Falcons playing to a scoreless draw.
“You don’t have margin for error in this district,” said Los Fresnos head coach Michael Miller after the 16th annual Copa La Frontera. “One loss really affects you more than in the 5A districts where they’re playing 18 games while we’re only playing 10. You have to be ready for every game. You can’t have one off night. Our goal is to win a district title, so we have to be ready for all 10 games.”
| Harlingen High’s boys soccer team poses during the Lower-Valley Soccer Media Day hosted by Harlingen High. The Cardinals get the ball rolling on District 32-6A play tonight. (Denise Cathey | Brownsville Herald) |
Meanwhile, district dark horse Harlingen High hosts Weslaco High to kick off district play. The Cardinals, who are in their second year under the tutelage of head coach Joey Johnson, picked up several impressive non-district results, beating Brownsville Porter (1-0) and Los Fresnos (1-0), and tying 31-6A power Edinburg High (1-1).
For full schedule of Friday’s district action, visit RGVSports.com.