By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
By starting their soccer season this weekend, the St. Joseph Academy Bloodhounds are getting a jump on everyone else.
The soccer season for TAPPS schools such as SJA annually begins about a month before the public schools that play according to UIL rules.
The Bloodhounds open their new season today by playing in the Houston St. Thomas Tournament. They are scheduled to play at 8 p.m. and then have their second match at 11 a.m. Saturday. From there, their tournament schedule will depend upon if they win or lose.
SJA returns a majority of its starters from last season’s squad that went 18-6-1 and reached the TAPPS state semifinals for the second straight year.
Juan de Dios Garcia has taken over for Tino Villarreal as the Bloodhounds’ coach. Villarreal stepped aside as soccer coach because he is now the school’s athletic director and football coach.
Garcia coached the boys team at Hanna for 30 years before stepping down following the 2012 season.
“I like what I see,” Garcia said of the Bloodhounds. “These guys are impressing me. They’re improving every day and they’re punctual (to practice). They have a lot of enthusiasm and they’re ready to make history for their school (by winning a TAPPS state title). They’ve come so close before, and they want to bring that big star (state championship) to Brownsville.
“I’m pushing them to aim for the stars and realize their dream,” Garcia added. “I’m motivated and enthused (to return to high school coaching). It’s like I’ve been reborn.”
Garcia said the squad just added some players from the football team.
“We’re going to see some very competitive teams in Houston,” the SJA coach said. “Both of our goalkeepers are injured, and that’s the biggest problem we’re facing right now.”
The Bloodhounds are scheduled to play their home opener against Marine Military Academy of Harlingen at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Canales Field.
In mid-January, SJA is again scheduled to play in the annual Brownsville ISD Tournament.
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess