BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
McALLEN — For Fabrizzio Gonzalez, the journey from an unknown talent to a budding standout lasted 54 minutes, the time it took for the Progreso sophomore to score his first goal Friday afternoon.
Goals were abundant for the Red Ants during their Class 4A regional semifinal match against Gonzales High School. Progreso ripped, routed and ran past the Apaches 8-1.
But it was the nimble and quick-footed Gonzalez, appearing in his first start, who spurred Progreso’s high-energy offense into today’s final against Giddings at 10 a.m. at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium. Gonzalez was a late-season JV callup and has only competed at the varsity level in five games.
“We knew about this dribbling, and we thought he would be effective against Gonzales’ defense,” Progreso coach Margarito Jimenez said. “We thought he would do a good job, and I guess we were right. He plays very cool, he keeps his composure and he was clicking on all cylinders.
Gonzalez finished as one of three Red Ants to score two goals, his second coming midway through the second half to make the score 5-0. But his ability to lead Progreso’s point of attack and instigate its offense separates him from teammates who are often as young as he is. The Red Ants boast a roster of 25 players with just six seniors.
Nonetheless, youth hasn’t stopped them from making this year the most successful in the program’s history. Friday’s win gives Progreso its 20th victory on the year — a program record for wins in a season — and Saturday will mark the team’s first trip to a regional final.
“It’s just something that happens,” Gonzalez said of his team’s success. “We’re big and fast, and we just go all out every time we’re out there. We’re just having fun with it.”
The fun for Progreso began 38 seconds into the game when Rogelio Zamora scurried past midfield and booted the ball into the net from about 20 yards out. Employing quickness and an aggressive style of play on both sides of the ball, they continued to pile on points with the same rapidity that has defined their postseason. Through four games, including Friday, the Red Ants have outscored opponents 22-1.
So dominant were the Red Ants with time of possession, a Gonzales coach gew flummoxed in the press box as he watched his team rarely advance the ball past midfield and get routinely dismantled on defense.
“Are we ever going to see the ball again?” he said.
Answer, yes. Better answer, it didn’t matter. Though Progreso gave up its first postseason goal with 8:16 left in the second half, it was a rare misstep during an afternoon in which the Red Ants’ swarming defense gave its opponent very little breathing room.
“We’ve got a group of kids that believe nothing can get through,” Jimenez said. “So when they believe that, along with my goalie, it’s a wall. That’s what they are out there, it’s a wall.”
Just as impressive as their talent is a sense of cohesion that permeates Progreso’s roster. Though players look to collect their share of goals — and these days there are plenty to go around — players act in unison on the pitch, barking out commands or relaying various assignments when needed.
It’s that dynamic that sophomore Omar Anguiano speaks to regarding his team’s success. Though he scored Progreso’s third and eighth goals, and admits to sometimes having tunnel vision with the ball in his possession, he knows what drives the Red Ants is something primal and apparent.
“We just like to win,” Anguiano said.
What’s good for the ant is good for the army, one that may soon be marching its way to the state meet.