The UIL boys soccer season officially commenced on December 29, 2023, with teams like Randle and Tomas participating in tournaments, while Terry hosted a home game this past Friday. Other local teams, including Foster, Fulshear, George Ranch, Lamar Consolidated, and Needville, are set to begin their campaigns in the upcoming week.
Team Overviews and Expectations
Each of the eight local programs brings unique strengths and challenges to the new season.
**Foster**
Under the guidance of coach Homed Keshavarzi in his fourth season, the Falcons are looking to rebuild after graduating 18 players last year. Their previous record was 6-6-0 in District 20-6A and 8-11-0 overall. Returning lettermen include senior Chris Castillo, a district honorable mention last season, and junior Erick Portillo. Keshavarzi acknowledges the significant turnover but maintains high expectations. “We are looking to find our chemistry… I think I have a playoff team on my hands, they just don’t know it yet,” he said.
**Fulshear**
Coach Chris Davis, in his first season, aims to build on last year’s success, where the Chargers finished 9-3-0 in District 20-6A and 15-4-3 overall. The team welcomes back key players like senior Rodrigo Troconis and Jesus Alvarado, both first-team all-district recipients. Davis emphasizes the importance of stability and competition among players. “Having this core group back provides a level of stability… so they are excited to see what they are capable of,” he stated.
**George Ranch**
Now led by Zachary Jacobs, George Ranch is looking for improvement after finishing 3-12-0 in District 20-6A last year. The team is starting fresh and aims to develop a competitive edge. Jacobs will rely on a mix of seasoned players and newcomers to create a stronger squad.
**Lamar Consolidated**
In his seventh season, coach George Fenske has a wealth of returning talent, including 14 lettermen and eight starters from last year’s team that finished just one win shy of the playoffs. The team’s experience and chemistry could position them for a successful season. “Overall, expectations are high for this team… we believe this group is capable of making a playoff run,” Fenske noted.
**Randle**
Coach Camilo Marin is optimistic about his team’s prospects following a strong finish last season, where they achieved a second-place finish in District 22-5A. With returning starters like senior Leon Ebai and junior Xavier Peavy, Marin is confident in their ability to compete. “Expectations remain the same for us, which is to win it all,” he affirmed.
**Terry**
First-year coach Bijan Mohebalian has a blend of experienced players and talented newcomers to work with. Brothers Jaime and Jesus Rendon return as first team all-district performers. Mohebalian emphasizes the importance of leadership and mentorship from the returning players to guide the younger team members.
**Tomas**
In their inaugural varsity season, coach Hazael Avila aims to instill new traditions and build a competitive program. The players are eager to establish themselves in a challenging district. “Our hope is that we will be one of the few teams in Texas that gets to play some soccer past Spring Break,” Avila expressed.
**Needville**
Coach Myrick Anderson leads a team coming off their best playoff run since establishing varsity soccer in 2016. With top scorers like district MVP Jesus Miranda returning, Anderson is focused on maintaining momentum. “It’s going to be a tough year, but we should finish in the top three this year in district,” he said.
As the season unfolds, local teams will be eager to showcase their skills and strive for playoff positions. The upcoming matches promise to deliver exciting soccer action across the board.
