By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
The Pace Vikings are right back where they want to be in the state soccer playoffs under first-year coach Mario A. Zamora.
Pace last went to the playoffs in 2010, and now the Vikings have qualified for a return to the postseason as the third- or fourth-place team from District 32-5A.
“My team has improved throughout the season,” said Osvaldo Canales, a senior forward and two-year starter for the Vikings. “Everyone has put their hearts into the game. We’ve gone through a lot with this team, so we’re pretty proud of what we’ve achieved.
“It was a pretty exciting feeling (last week) when we found out we were in the playoffs,” Canales added. “This is my first time to go, and it’d be nice to see us do well.”
There likely will be a change in the bi-district playoff pairings following this week’s 32-5A Executive Committee meeting. The outcome of the meeting is expected to be announced Tuesday. Originally, Pace was to face District 31-5A champion Sharyland High in bi-district and now may go against 31-5A runner-up Valley View.
The Pace coach said his team should know for certain about its opponent Tuesday and arrange its playoff pairing accordingly.
The Vikings would like to return to their glory years when they were 32-5A champions four straight seasons between 2004 and 2007 under coach Alfredo “Chico” Jimenez with Miguel Davila at forward and Juan Gamboa, now a Pace assistant coach, at goalkeeper. Returning to the playoffs in 2015 is a step in the right direction. Beside Gamboa, Pace’s other assistant coach is Oscar Rodriguez.
Zamorais a former player at Hanna and the Universityof Texasat Brownsvilleand Texas SouthmostCollegewho also has coached at St. JosephAcademy.
He said seeing his team reach the playoffs during his first year as coach is a positive step for the future.
“It was one of our objectives to make it to the playoffs,” Zamorasaid. “I feel really proud of our players, especially the seniors, and all of them, actually, because it’s been since 2010 that we last went. That’s a great basis and a good step for our new program, so we’re back.
“These guys are showing dedication and hard work every day,” he added. “The door has been open to anyone at our school who has wanted to play soccer, and it’s great to see (the ones we have on our team).”
Along with Canales, the Vikings’ other forward is Juan Garza, who leads the team with eight goals in district.
The midfielders are Eduardo Ramirez, Ezequiel Morales, Benlly Galvan, Abel Jaramillo and Alejandro Castañeda .
The defense consists of stopper Johan Rios Cruz, sweeper Edgar Martinez, fullbacks Luis Sepulveda and Ricardo Monsivais, and goalkeeper Eduardo Gamboa, the younger brother of Juan Gamboa.
Players contributing off the bench include defender Luis Guerrero, midfielder Alberto Renteriaand forward Brandon Coronado,
“We’ve known each other for a long time, so we know where we’re going to be on the field,” said Garza, a junior and first-year starter. “That makes it easier to play with each other.
“Everyone has to stay focused and be dedicated (in the playoffs),” Garza added. “It’d be an honor for us (to do well). It’d be an achievement. I hope we can go far. It’s my coach’s first year here also (on the varsity), so I want to help them out.”
Added Canales, “I would just say to have faith in us, and hopefully we’ll go far in the playoffs.”
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess