By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
Local coaches say sending three boys soccer teams from the Rio Grande Valley to the UIL state tournament for the first time is an indication of the sport’s evolving prowess in South Texas, and particularly in Brownsville.
The Lopez Lobos are advancing to state in Class 6A, while the Porter Cowboys are going in Class 5A and the Progreso Red Ants are making the trip in Class 4A.
Two teams from the Valley have qualified for state before during the same season — most recently in 2014 when Lopez and Valley View advanced — but never three.
Two teams from Brownsville have never made it to state in the same season until now.
The UIL expanded its classifications in soccer from two to three divisions when 6A was created prior to the 2014-15 school year.
The state tournament begins Wednesday in Georgetown and runs through Saturday.
“It’s something very special (to send three of our teams to state),” said ninth-year Porter coach Jose Espitia, a former Lopez assistant when the Lobos started a Valley trend by winning a state championship more than a decade ago. “It speaks volumes about Valley soccer. Lopez led the way (by capturing the 4A state title) in 2004. Since then it has become an expectation (for Valley soccer teams to do well at state).”
“The Valley will be well-represented at state this year, especially Brownsville, and Southmost in particular,” said Lopez coach Amadeo Escandon, now in his 19th season guiding the Lobos.
While Porter and Lopez are making their fourth appearances at state this season, it’s the first time for Progreso to advance.
“This is a dream come true,” said Progreso coach Margarito Jimenez, now in his 18th season directing the Red Ants. “Our goal was met Saturday (by beating Giddings 3-2 in the Region IV-4A final at McAllen). We will do our best to do something special at state. (Sending three of our teams to Georgetown) says boys soccer in the Valley is one of the best in the state.”
Besides Lopez, the Valley’s other UIL state champions in boys soccer are Porter in 2006 (5A), Hidalgo in 2009 (4A), Sharyland High in 2012 (5A) and Rivera in 2015 (6A). Also, Lopez, Hanna and Valley View reached the state final in 2009, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
Another first was recorded last season when Rivera won the inaugural 6A boys state title in soccer and accomplished the feat with a 28-0 record. The Raiders’ undefeated mark was another first for Valley soccer.
“I think we are sending a big statement to the rest of the state that regardless of the division — 6A, 5A or 4A — the road to state has to come through the south, or the Valley,” said Salvador Garcia, who just completed his 25th season at Rivera including the last 19 as head coach. “I remember that back in January at the Brownsville ISD Tournament I was talking to Porter athletic coordinator Tom Campos and he asked me what I thought about the Cowboys’ chances of going all the way. I responded by saying that for the first time in Brownsville soccer history we had a chance to pull a double whammy (by winning at state) with Porter in the 5A division and Lopez or Hanna in the 6A division.
“It speaks volumes about what our (Valley) soccer community can do. Hopefully we can sweep the state tournament (in the three boys divisions).”
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at[email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess