Class of 2017: Building block for boys’ soccer

In an era where it's cool to say “participation trophies are what's wrong with America,” (as if millennials invented participation trophies...please...) maybe it'll be “uncool” of me to say the Gonzales Apaches have achieved something this season despite losing in the Region IV-4A quarterfinals, one playoff win less than the previous season. But what you may not understand is how incredible this achievement truly is. Gonzales raised their level of expectation so high that the taste of disappointment Friday night at Yoakum shows how far the program has come in just three years.

Let me explain.

The Gonzales Apaches completed their third season of soccer. Three-year programs aren't suppose to make it far in the playoffs. Regardless of your opinion on the number of playoff teams allowed by the UIL, there's no denying the fact that the Apaches have achieved something great. They haven't skated by, snuck in the playoffs as the fourth-place team, lost in the bi-district round and celebrated their bi-district appearance. The Apaches lost one game in their inaugural outlaw-scheduled season. They shared a district championship with Giddings the next season and won District 26-4A outright this current season. After three years, their combined record is 46-11-1. Gonzales was a hiccup away from getting back to the Region IV-4A tournament for the second year in a row. How many teams can say that?

A brief history of soccer in Texas: from 1983 to 1998, all UIL schools, regardless of size, competed for one soccer title. Then in 1999, schools in 4A and below began competing for their own title. Now there are playoffs for Classifications in the new 4A, 5A and 6A.

Looking at Maxpreps.com and UILTexas.org to do a bit of research, of the eight Region IV-4A teams that advanced to the regional quarterfinals this season, Gonzales is the youngest of the boys' soccer programs. Expanding our search to statewide, only six of the 32 schools that advanced to the third round are either as young or younger than Gonzales. In Region I-4A, Bridgeport began their program in 2015, Life Oak Cliff began the same year as Gonzales. In Region II-4A, A Plus Academy (a charter school out in Dallas) began UIL play this season while Ranchview had their inaugural soccer season this year. In Region III-4A, Madisonville began in 2015 and East Chambers began in 2016. It should be noted that A Plus Academy, Ranchview, Bridgeport and Life Oak Cliff all are in their respective regional semifinals.

That's barely a handful of schools doing what Gonzales is doing in soccer.

The Texas Association of Soccer Coaches gave the Apaches a state ranking this past season, so respect for the program is growing. And despite a loss in the regional quarterfinals, the impact that this group of seniors will leave on this program shouldn't be understated.

The tremendous play of Apaches such as Jose Flores, Santiago Escoto, Rogelio Sanchez, Sesar Almaguer, Mario Pizano, Jesus Guzman, Daniel Barrientos, Sebastian Rodriguez and Fabian Cardoza will influence the younger athletes on the team. The class of 2017 will be missed, but there are young athletes that already have shown they can step in the spot and have some success. Sophomore Anthony Veliz has already wowed fans with his ability to break free from defenders. Freshman Daniel Cruz has shown he can score goals as a forward or playing a wing position.

The bigger point is, going from wishing the Apaches fielded a soccer team to expecting that team to reach the regional tournament is a huge leap. And though they lost one round sooner this season, the class of 2017 should be proud of their accomplishments. After all, they are the ones who have built this foundation. Sooner or later, the Apaches will find their way to the state tournament – and the boys’ program will have this class to thank for it.