NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER
HIDALGO — When it comes to UIL State soccer championships in the Rio Grande Valley, Hidalgo may not have started it all, but the Pirates spearheaded the westward movement.
Brownsville Lopez and Brownsville Porter had pioneered the first championships for the RGV in 2004 and 2006; Hidalgo brought it home to Hidalgo County in 2009 and put the entire state on alert to beware of Valley futbol.
As soon as Hidalgo coach Zeke Morales was handed the championship trophy after a 2-0 win over Mesquite Poteet, he looked into the local television camera and exclaimed: “For the Valley!”
Since then, local soccer has been well-represented on the state’s grandest stage. Three more RGV teams have won state titles since 2009. Porter won a second title and Brownsville Rivera won a 6A crown.
Sharyland High brought home a championship in Class 5A in 2012, the year before the introduction of a sixth class when Sharyland ISD split its sole high school into Sharyland High and Sharyland Pioneer.
La Joya Juarez-Lincoln has established itself as a perennial regional powerhouse. Valley View has been in the state finals, while fellow 4A and district rival Progreso has made the trip to Georgetown the past four seasons; last season McAllen High sent the first RGV girls team to the state tournament.
After all of the growth in the region and watching with pride as the Valley firmly established itself as a soccer gold mine, Hidalgo wants to be selfish — the Pirates want to go back to state.
“It’s (a) very exciting (time.) We’ve been working for it all cross country season, coming every morning to run so we can get better and go to state,” sophomore midfielder Juan Carlos Magdaleno said. “It’s important because when you condition, you’re doing it to run all game and not come out.”
Hidalgo’s constant soccer talent is undeniable, but so is its small size as a program. Because of that, coach Morales asks his soccer team to participate in a fall sport either cross country or football, not only to stay in shape, but to contribute to Pirates athletics.
But when soccer starts…it’s go time. This year, the team will face the challenge of replacing an extremely senior-heavy roster. Many players played their last game in the regional tournament against Liberty Hill.
“This year I have a good mix,” Morales said. “I don’t have as many seniors as I did last year. I had about 14 or 15 seniors last year and about seven or eight were starters.”
Most of the returning players come from the same, crucial part of the pitch — the midfield.
“This year, the good thing for us, where I think we’re going to be very strong, is our midfield,” Morales said. “Everybody in the midfield is coming back. In the game of soccer, if you have a solid midfield, they’re the ones.
Junior midfielder Pedro Orozco admitted he will miss the 2017 graduates, but high expectations don’t leave room for a “rebuild season.”
“That group was really special to me because my first year as a freshman they took me in with a very good attitude and they taught me and inspired me,” Orozco said. “Now they taught me how to move on with my team and we’re going to work hard for state. The goal is always state, no matter where we’re coming from.”
Hidalgo will play in a new-look 31-4A that includes some first-time UIL opponents. Regular foes Hidalgo, Progreso, Grulla and Zapata will be joined by charter school competition as IDEA Quest (Edinburg), IDEA Pike (Weslaco), Vanguard Rembrandt (Pharr) and Vanguard Mozart (Alamo) join the district.
Morales says the new district members are wildcards even to him, but he welcomes the challenge.
“First of all, we’re excited that UIL allowed them, because I think that all kids should have the opportunity. I don’t know what they’re going to be like. I’ve heard that some of those schools have teams that play outside (club soccer). I hope all of them do, because that will only elevate the level of competition. ” Morales said. “If they don’t, and they’re new, we’re just going to have to work with them.”
He said whether the competition is difficult or not, he’ll have his team ready for another postseason run.
“Like everything, we’re going to have to continue to work hard and find ways,” Morales said. “It’s going to be up to me to be creative and find ways to keep playing at a high level, keep them focused and humble at the same time. I don’t care if we won 3-0, 4-0. What matters is we understand that it’s going to get harder, it’s going to get tougher.”
What to watch for in 2019
The top RGV boys’ team from 2017, Valley View, has plenty of returners to try to make a return trip to UIL State. Mario de los Santos might have a difficult time repeating his 70-goal performance from last year as the Tigers move into arguably the state’s toughest district, 32-5A. Strong programs like Valley View, Brownsville Pace, Brownsville Veterans, Brownsville Porter and Brownsville Lopez as well as Edcouch-Elsa, Mercedes and Donna will all battle for four playoff spots.
In class 6A, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln will start a new era without the services of 2017 grads Manuel Castrejon and Gerardo Reyes. Still, the Huskies look to be the class of 30-6A with young players helping the team turn in height for speed. Behind Juarez, 30-6A should be a dogfight with Mission High leading the charge, but McAllen Memorial was a playoff team a season ago and the Mustangs have started 2019 strong.
District 31-6A looks to be wide open once again. The Edinburg schools with jockey for position but have to look out for new challenger, Donna North, which returns an impressive roster.
Last year’s 31-6A champs, PSJA Southwest, won’t have a chance to defend its title, moving to District 31-5A, which creates an intriguing field with PSJA Memorial also joining the group with Sharyland High and Sharyland Pioneer.
RGVSports.com Preseason Boys Top 10
1. Valley View
2. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln
3. Brownsville Veterans
4. Brownsville Lopez
5. Brownsville Porter
6. Sharyland High
7. Donna North
8. Brownsville Hanna
9. Brownsville Rivera
10. Los Fresnos