ROY HESS | Staff Writer
The annual East-West Senior All-Star Soccer Showcase presented by the Rio Grande Valley Soccer Coaches Organization exists for one purpose in particular.
The aim of the event is to attract college recruiters to the boys and girls matches with the hope that the players might have a chance to gain a scholarship and extend their soccer careers playing at the next level after high school.
Over the years, the RGVSCO has been successful with that objective as college recruiters have been turning out for the event and can be seen talking to players after the matches.
This year’s 12th annual Showcase is scheduled to start with the girls match at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Hidalgo’s Bill Pate Stadium. The boys game will follow the girls match at approximately 11:30 a.m.
The ones coaching the East and West teams are grateful for the chance to be involved.
“First of all, it’s an honor,” said Edinburg High girls soccer coach Cerjio “Coach Eli” Elizarraraz, who is directing the East girls squad along with coach Art Chavez of PSJA Memorial. “I appreciate the organization for giving me the opportunity. I also want to thank Coach Chavez for allowing us to use PSJA Memorial’s facilities for our practices for the East girls and helping me coach the team as well.
“All we are doing is helping promote the sport of soccer in the Valley,” he added. “Hopefully we can get one more player to play at the college level. We normally have college scouts present. We also want these seniors to experience an all-star game atmosphere and just come together as a group to showcase their talents.”
The West girls will be coached by J.J. Lopez of Sharyland Pioneer and Pat Arney of McAllen High.
For the boys, the coaches for the East are Luis Cardenas of Edinburg High and Andres Sanchez of Donna North. Coaching the West boys are Juan Hernandez of La Joya Palmview and Alex Saenz of Roma.
Teams for the East will be composed of players from Brownsville to Pharr. The West squads will consist of players from McAllen, Hidalgo and all the way out to Roma.
One year ago, the Showcase was played at the artificial turf practice field at Los Fresnos High School. The East girls won 3-1 and the West boys triumphed 3-2.
The West boys and girls have dominated the series. For example, two years ago when the event took place at Valley View with Class 6A and sub-6A boys and girls matches, the West won all four games.