By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
Over the years, the Lopez Lobos have sent their share of soccer players to the next level.
The latest group of Lobos signing to compete in college includes defenders Benito Cazares and Ulysses Ortegon along with midfielders Ruben Sauceda and Allan Ramos.
The four senior standouts were honored Tuesday at a signing ceremony at Lopez with teammates, family, friends and Brownsville ISD personnel on hand to see them put their names on college athletic scholarship agreements to play for Texas College in Tyler.
“Lopez is a big school in soccer, and it was an honor to be a part of this amazing soccer program,” said Ramos, a two-year starter who was a member of Lopez’s UIL state tournament-qualifying teams in 2014 and 2016. “Thanks to God we got to experience going to state two times.
“I’m proud of this school, and I thank God, my parents, my family and my coaches for all the support I’ve received (in reaching this point of my life),” added Ramos, who plans to study education.
All four players said Tuesday was a day they will never forget.
“This is an unbelievable feeling,” said Ortegon, a two-year starter who plans to pursue a degree in physical therapy. “It’s a prayer answered after all our hard work, sacrifice, tears, blood and everything. I’m just glad for this moment. We’ve been playing since we were small, and now, we’re going off to college. For all the soccer players, I would just say anything is possible, and you can go wherever you want by putting in the hard work.”
The Lobos just completed a 21-3-1 season in which they won District 32-6A and captured five victories in the Class 6A playoffs to reach last month’s state semifinals in Georgetown.
“It feels great knowing that I’m going to college with my friends and that I’ll be playing the sport I love,” said Sauceda, a two-year starter who is undecided on his major at this time. “I know I’ll have to work hard at the college level. I just want to thank my family, my coaches and my girl friend.”
Cazares, who plans to study education and possibly become a Spanish teacher, said it means a lot to be joined by his Lopez teammates in college.
“It’s an honor to play with my friends here in high school and now at the next level,” said Cazares, also a two-year starter. “These guys — my teammates — have become my family and my life. I’ve been honored to play with them and to represent our school. Thank you to all the people who believe in us. I’m really happy for this day.”
Lopez coach Amadeo Escandon, who just completed his 19th season of guiding the Lobos, said seeing his players sign for college never gets old.
“I think I’ve learned throughout the years that it’s not about the trophies and it’s not about awards or accolades,” he said. “It’s about seeing our players succeed at the next level. That’s the greatest accomplishment I can take satisfaction in personally. Ironically, my first generation of players to sign a number of years ago went to Texas College, so this is coming back into the same cycle. It’s something good and I’m so glad for them.”
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess