By STEFAN MODRICH, Staff Writer
Kevin Zarrazagas has been a captain for the Brownsville Rivera soccer team for the last three years.
On Wednesday, he took a step toward the next chapter of his journey in the sport when he signed his intent to play for Dallas Christian College at the high school.
“I’m glad (Zarrazagas) has the chance to continue with that dream,” Raiders coach Salvador Garcia said. “He’s been our captain for the last three years.”
DCC is located in Farmers Branch, a northern suburb of Dallas. The Crusaders compete in Division II of the National Christian College Athletic Association.
Zarrazagas earned three District 32-6A titles with Rivera, and twice was named the district’s utility player of the year.
“As coaches we have no doubt that (Zarrazagas) will be able to succeed at the next level,” Garcia said. “He has the drive, he has what it takes. … And also, a lot of discipline.”
He set lofty goals as a freshman but always felt he had the work ethic to achieve them.
“As a freshman, I told Coach Garcia I wanted to be a starter, be captain one day, win district titles, regionals, even go to state and to play at the next level,” Zarrazagas said. “I wanted to continue playing and face better players to keep learning from them and have the experience.”
The senior midfielder joins his teammate, Salvador De Leon, Hanna’s Marko Garibay and San Benito’s Adrian Martinez in DCC coach Dan Mariscal’s inaugural 2020 recruiting class.
“I think we’re going to get to know each other and become good friends, but I don’t know them too much, personally,” Zarrazagas said of his future teammates and district rivals. “Just from playing against each other.”
De Leon’s interest helped persuade Zarrazagas to reach out to Mariscal, and the veteran coach, who has always kept a close eye on Rivera, was eager to add another Raiders player to his squad.
Mariscal’s Rio Grande Valley roots trace back to the inception of organized soccer in the region, and his father was a prominent referee during the 1980s.
Garcia complimented Mariscal’s free-flowing, up-tempo style that he has employed throughout his career coaching boys and girls, most recently as a coach at FC Dallas’ development academy.
Zarrazagas credited his high school and travel team coaches for his growth, and added he will major in sports management and plan to pursue a career in coaching.
“I want to thank them for helping me out in every aspect of the game,” Zarrazagas said. “Not only as a player but as a person. And for helping me show the underclassmen that they can accomplish anything they want and they can play at the next level if they want to.”