By ROY HESS | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD
Monday marked the opening day of soccer practice for boys and girls high school teams throughout the state.
The Lopez Lobos, UIL state tournament qualifiers in three of the last four years (2014, 2016 and 2017), made the most of their first day’s opportunity to hold organized workouts.
The Lobos had a “Midnight Madness” practice starting at 12:01 a.m. Monday — a first for the soccer team. The Lobos then gathered for their second workout after school Monday.
It was a day filled with plenty of soccer, and no one was complaining that it was too much.
“The whole world plays soccer and desires soccer, and when the first day of soccer practice arrives in Brownsville, it’s a big thing,” said Alan Reyes, a junior defensive midfielder for the Lobos who was a member of the past two Lopez teams that made it to state. “Another year of soccer is here. We’re always going to fight as hard as we can to make it back to state.
“We’ve been waiting for this day since the season ended last year,” Reyes added. “It’s a beautiful experience to go to state. We’re coming back with the desire to work hard and get back to Georgetown again with God’s help.”
Added teammate Sebastian Benavides, a senior forward who is beginning his third season of playing for the Lobos, “It feels very nice to be a part of this team. What can I say? This crew has everything. This is maybe the best soccer program in the Valley. No (Valley) school has gone to state more than we have (five times).
“I have big expectations for this team,” he added. “As a (senior) leader, I push my team to try hard and be the best out there so we can get to state again. It’s a young team with only three or four seniors, but we’re still going to push harder to be the best.”
Reyes and Benavides are two of the Lobos’ five returning starters. The others are center midfielder Jose “Chevy” Echavarria, goalkeeper Andrew Flores and midfielder on the wing Marco Antonio Mendoza. Also back is forward Eloy Lozoya, who is returning from an injury.
Promising newcomers to the Lobos’ starting lineup include defender Raudel Ramirez and midfielders Guadalupe Sauceda and Milton Solis.
Echavarria was named the All-Valley boys soccer MVP last spring and the Lobos were chosen as the Valley’s Class 5A team of the year. Echavarria is coming off a successful season of playing football that saw Lopez go to the playoffs for the second straight year.
The conditions were ideal Monday afternoon as the sun was pleasantly shining with comfortable temperatures in the 70s for the Lobos’ second practice.
“We couldn’t ask for anything more (regarding this beautiful day for our first afternoon practice),” said Lopez coach Amadeo Escandon, who is entering his 21st season of guiding the Lobos. “I thank God for this day. We’re always looking forward to the first day.
“I’m excited,” he added. “Every soccer season is different and this year is no exception. It’s different because we’ve got a new set of guys. We also have experienced players who have the team on their shoulders. We know they can do the job. We know they can guide the ‘newbies.’ Having the ones we have in leadership positions helps a lot. At this point, we’re trying to develop our team chemistry.
“I’m blessed to be working with these players. We’ve only been practicing a short time and I’m already seeing a lot of good things, so that’s why I feel blessed.”
The Lobos are working out with a group of 32 players. Escandon said the team eventually will carry 20 players on the varsity roster.
Also practicing on Lopez’s artificial turf field Monday afternoon were the Lady Lobos, who are defending District 32-5A champions. Actually, they’ve won district five of the last seven years under coach Alex Macias, who is beginning his 10th season guiding the team.
“It’s always a little nerve-wracking on the first day because you’re never exactly certain who is coming back,” said Macias, who is returning seven starters. “You always know who has graduated, but until you see them (returnees) at practice, you’re not quite sure who is going to be back.
“Every year it’s about finding players to replace the ones who graduated,” he added. “Every year feels like a rebuilding year. It’s nerve-wracking, yes, but it’s also exciting to see who will come out here and be able to play.
“I congratulate everyone for coming out and I wish everyone the best. I feel we’ll have a strong team coming back. We’ll see what happens. We’re excited about the year coming up.”
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess