By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
It’s always a big plus to have seniors who lead the way for the team.
The Porter Cowboys consider themselves fortunate to have such a group. They’re seniors who want their final season on the soccer team to culminate with a strong showing in the playoffs that will always make them feel proud.
Those six seniors are central defender Gabriel Trejo, right fullback David Pacheco, center midfielder Reyes Saldivar,forward Julio Perez and goalkeepers Miguel de la Cruz and Miguel Guerrero.
Porter coach Jose Espitia said this season’s group of seniors standout because they are leaders by example.
“These guys are more humble, more hard-working and better leaders on and off the field,” Espitia said. “If they’re going to ask their teammates to hustle, they’re the first ones to hustle. Another thing that I see about them is they’re very determined. They never give up. If we’re down, they stay in the game, stay focused and stay with the game plan. They lead by example and the rest of the group respects them.”
Perhaps the main leader among the Porter seniors is Saldivar, a four-year starter and team captain. He’s played on defense and in the midfield. He’s always been willing to play where the Cowboys needed him.
“It means a lot to be a member of this team,” Saldivarsaid. “We’ve had quite a bit of time playing together.
“I try to help the team train hard and do the maximum that we can do,” he added. “I like the form of play that we’re displaying on the field.”
The Cowboys lead District 32-5A with a 9-0 record and 26 points. They next play at 6 p.m. Tuesday at second-place PSJA Southwest (7-2, 22 points) with an opportunity to clinch a playoff spot.
“This team has a lot of potential,” Perez said. “We showed it since back in the BISD Tournament (by winning one of the two brackets in January). We’re going to continue to work hard and expect more success as we go on.”
Added de la Cruz, “Not going to the playoffs last season is a big motivation for us. We have the desire to show the potential we have that we can do better than last year. As we like to say, there’s unfinished business.”
Trejo and Pacheco are doing their part on the defensive end along with the goalkeepers.
“I’m very happy to be a part of this team and to be one of the seniors,” Trejo said. “(As seniors,) we’re putting forth an example for the freshmen, sophomores and juniors.
“If we were to become district champions, it would mean a lot for the school, but in reality, the goals we have this season are higher, like going to state,” Trejo added. “We want to do more.”
Added Pacheco, “This is my last year and I’m happy that we’re demonstrating what this team can do. We were down (and didn’t make the playoffs last year), and now we’re rising up.”
Guerrero came to Porter this school year after moving to Brownsville from Los Fresnos. He’s been accepted by the team and is viewed as one of the senior leaders, too.
“It’s my first year at Porter, and it’s really good to be here,” Guerrero said. “Yes, it’s a great team, but it’s more than that. It’s a great family, and it’s great to be a part of it.”
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess.