By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
Felix Nava, Leo Martinez and Julio “J.C.”De La Garza are soccer players whose hearts belong to the Lopez Lobos.
They have been part of one of the Rio Grande Valley’s most successful high school soccer programs. They’ve experienced plenty of success, including last season’s trip to the UIL state tournament, where De La Garza was an all-tournament selection and Martinezscored both of the Lobos’ goals during their 3-2 state semifinal loss to eventual Class 5A champion Fort Bend Clements.
And now, as seniors, it’s their time.
“I’ve known most of these guys since middle school, and I’m really happy to share all the moments I’ve had together with them (playing soccer),” said Martinez, a forward and three-year starter.
“I played on the JV Light (team) as a freshman, and then suddenly, I went up to the varsity as a sophomore,” Martinez added. “It was a whole different game playing on the varsity.”
Added Nava, a forward/goalkeeper and three-year starter, “It’s a really big deal for me to play soccer at Lopez. I’ve seen many of the past teams here go far (in the playoffs), so it’s pretty good to be a part of the team and play for the Lobos.
“I especially remember the players from the 2009 team (that reached the 5A state final) such as Moises Gonzalez, Jose de Alba, Jorge (Cantu) and Hugo (Ballesteros),” added Nava, who also played running back on the football team. “Since watching ‘Moy’ play back then, I always wanted to be No. 10 for the Lobos, too, and thank God, my senior year I finally got to wear No. 10.”
The Lobos (7-5 record, 22 points in District 32-6A) once again have clinched a playoff berth. The postseason starts March 26, but first, they have two more 32-6A games left, starting with a match at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday against Harlingen High at BoggusStadium. It will be a doubleheader with the Lady Lobos and Lady Cardinals first play at 5:30 p.m.
The Lopez boys complete district play March 20 against Brownsville Veterans Memorial.
Amadeo Escandon, now in his 18th year as Lopez’s coach, said he appreciates the contributions of his three standout seniors.
“They’re our leaders and the backbone of the team,” Escandonsaid of De La Garza, Nava and Martinez. “They carry us in the games.”
For De La Garza, a four-year member of the varsity squad and two-year starter at central defender, it’s an experience he’ll always remember.
“It’s been a great motivation to see all the ones who have played here at Lopez,” said De La Garza, also the kicker on the football team. “We’ve been trying to fill their shoes after they left them open (by graduating). Since my freshman year, we’ve tried to work as hard as those (past) players did so we could be as good as them.
“Going to state and getting far in the playoffs is great, but to me, even more important is how you grow up in high school and become a part of the family here,” he added. “We care about going to state, but what we care about the most is being a part of the family of soccer at Lopez.”
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess