Loaded group set to represent RGV in 5A boys soccer postseason | MyRGV.com

No team sport has a longer history of success in the RGV than boys soccer. Since becoming a UIL sanctioned sport in 1983, the Valley has produced seven state champions, four state runner-up’s and 29 state qualifiers.

From the 2004 Brownsville Lopez Lobos, who kicked down the door as the first RGV team to win it all, to the 2023 Hidalgo Pirates, who became the second Valley team to win multiple state championships, the RGV’s history of soccer success goes on-and-on.

After what many considered a “down” year for the sport last season, with no RGV team advancing to the state tournament for just the fourth time since 2004, this year’s crop of playoff qualifiers look primed to add to the Valley’s rich soccer history.

Here’s a look at the top contenders and some dark horses for Class 5A heading into the bi-district round of the playoffs. Click here for a full look at this week’s RGV boys soccer bi-district schedule.

CLASS 5A DI

Harlingen South (17-4-1, 14-3-1): The Hawks are going dancing for the first time since 2021 after finishing as the runner-up in District 32-5A. Harlingen South isn’t satisfied with just a return to the postseason and rightfully so, with the Hawks looking like legit contenders in Class 5A DI.

Harlingen South managed to sweep perennial powerhouse Brownsville Porter during league play, while splitting the series with Brownsville Rivera.

Harlingen South’s toughest task during district was against another BISD school, losing both contests to District 32-5A champion Brownsville Lopez.

The Hawks deploy one of the area’s most balanced offensive attacks, with 12 different players scoring multiple goals this season. Sebastian Hernandez, Jose Marquez and Jair Nava led the team during district play with seven goals each, while Javier Martinez added six.

Add in a physical and battle-tested defense and the Hawks are primed for a deep postseason run.

Harlingen South kicks off its postseason return at 7 p.m. Friday against McAllen Rowe at Rowe High School.

La Joya Palmview (10-2-4 in district): The Lobos enter the playoffs as one of the hottest teams in the area, finishing the second half of district with a 7-0-1 mark.

The run by the Lobos put them in district title contention until the last game of the regular season, falling just short of the title after finishing two points behind Laredo Nixon in the standings.

A key to Palmview’s dominant second half was a stout defense, which pitched shutouts in seven of its eight contests. Only Juarez-Lincoln managed to find the back of the net against Palmview during the final eight district games, with the Lobos still coming out on top during PKs.

Palmview also fields a potent offensive attack, averaging 2.3 goals per game during district play. The Lobos trio of Fabian Montalvo, Daniel Vera and Edgar Villalpando give Palmview a three-pronged attack on offense. Montalvo scored a team-high seven goals during league play, with Vera and Villalpando each adding six.

District title or not, the Lobos look dangerous heading into the playoffs after not losing a game in over a month.

La Joya Palmview takes on Corpus Christi Veterans in the Class 5A DI bi-district round at a date, time and location to be determined.

McAllen Memorial (9-4-3 in district): Like the Hawks, the Mustangs are making a return to the postseason for the first time since 2021. And like South, Memorial is looking to stretch its postseason return as long as possible.

The 2025 city champs look like a different team during Year 2 under head coach Jacob Hinojosa. The Mustangs field a dangerous offense and a stout defense, making them a team to watch in the 5A DI bracket.

McAllen Memorial’s offense fields several weapons, with seven different players scoring multiple goals this season. The balanced offensive attack has led to McAllen Memorial averaging 2.1 goals per game during district play.

Angel Ponce is arguably the top option for the Mustangs, netting a team-high 10 goals during district play. Omar Davila adds another option, with six goals during district, while Jose Cordova and Miguel Sanchez added four each.

The defense has been almost as good as the offense, averaging just 1.1 goals against during district play.

The Mustangs draw a tough matchup to start the postseason, with the Brownsville Rivera Raiders coming to town. The 5A DI bi-district match is set for 5 p.m. Friday at Boxer Hernandez Stadium in McAllen.

CLASS 5A DII

Brownsville Lopez (20-1-1, 16-0-2 in district): It’s been 21 years since Brownsville Lopez captured the RGV’s first state soccer title. The Lobos felt they had the talent to do it once again last year but fell short after losing in the Region IV-5A finals.

The Lobos brought back most of the talent from last year and then some, making them favorites to come out of the region and compete for a state title once again.

Brownsville Lopez was near perfect during league play this season, going 16-0-2 en route to their second straight District 32-5A crown.

A furious offensive attack was the main catalyst for the Lobos, averaging a staggering 5.4 goals per game during district play. Reigning Herald/Star Player of the Year Diego Guerra picked up right where he left off last year to lead Lopez, netting a district leading 33 goals in 18 appearances.

Guerra was just one of several offensive weapons, however, with three others scoring double-digit goals during district play. Ramon “Chacho” Zuniga, the 2024 Herald/Star Utility Player of the Year, scored 18 goals for the Lobos, while Erik Coronado and Damian Resendez added 13 and 10, respectively.

While the offense scored at a high pace, the defense provided an equally dominant season, allowing just 12 goals in 18 district games, including eight shutouts.

With a high-powered offense and a stout defense, the Lobos are big-time contenders to come out of Region IV-5A DII.

They’ll start their state quest against Sharyland Pioneer at 6 p.m. Thursday at Brownsville Lopez.

Brownsville Porter (16-5-1, 12-3-3 in district): The Cowboys reign as district champs came to an end this season after winning at least a share of the title for four straight years.

Despite a third-place finish in the standings, Porter remains a state title contender in Class 5A DII.

Look no further than the Cowboys’ PK victory over the Lobos for proof of their potential, with no other team able to come out on top of Lopez during district play this season.

Porter doesn’t have a clear-cut offensive weapon like years past but still fields an offense capable of running up scores. Sizu Aguillon, Pavel Barrera and Kevin Segura create a potent offensive trio for the Cowboys, with Aguillon and Barrera each scoring nine goals during district play and Segura adding eight.

The defense was the third best in the district this season, allowing just 15 goals in 18 games for an average of 0.8 goals against per match.

Porter’s first round matchup presents one of the most intriguing of the opening round of the playoffs, drawing District 31-5A champion Sharyland High. The match is a rematch of the 2023 Region IV-5A semifinals

Kickoff between the Cowboys and Rattlers is set for 7 p.m. Thursday at Brownsville Porter.

Sharyland High (16-3-2, 15-1-0 in district): The Rattlers suffered a loss to McAllen High during their second district game. Since then, Sharyland High has rattled off 14 straight wins, finishing the year 15-1-0 in league play to capture the 31-5A crown.

Sophomore standout Francisco Gomez has been pivotal to the Rattlers’ streak, scoring in 15 of 18 games this season. His 23 goals led the district this season, while also ranking fourth overall in the Valley during district play.

Iker Urueta complemented Gomez by adding 11 goals of his own during district play, including a game with a hat trick.

The Rattlers also fielded a stingy defense, pitching shutouts in nine of their 16 district games. Sharyland High averaged just 0.9 goals against this season.

Sharyland High is just two years removed from their 2023 state semifinals appearance, with that season ending against El Paso Bel Air in the Final Four.

A return to the state tournament isn’t out of the question but they’ll have to get past a familiar foe in the opening round, taking on Brownsville Porter in the 5A DII bi-district round. The 2023 Region IV-5A semifinals rematch is set for 7 p.m. Thursday at Brownsville Porter.

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