You Won’t Believe How This Underdog Team Shocked Everyone in Soccer History!

By ALBERT VILLEGAS
Special to the NEWS

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX—The San Benito Greyhounds are making their mark in the Class 6A soccer playoffs, achieving milestones that were once unthinkable for the boys’ program. The team recently secured their position as area champions in the Division 1 bracket after a narrow 1-0 victory against the Buda Johnson Jaguars at Cabaniss Stadium on Tuesday.

This win follows a significant 3-1 triumph over the Weslaco Panthers during a bi-district game at Bobby Morrow Stadium in San Benito last Friday, marking SBHS’s first-ever bi-district championship title. With these two playoff victories, the Greyhounds have improved their overall season record to 14-6-1, setting the stage for an upcoming match against the Northeast Reagan Rattlers from San Antonio.

The Rattlers come into the third round with an impressive season record of 18-4-6, recently defeating Northside Warren 7-0 and Lake Travis 4-1. Notably, they have faced Rio Grande Valley schools three times this season, securing a 3-1 record against them.

Head Coach William Huerta reflected on the team’s success, stating, “This team here is just solidifying the foundation of the program that the past teams have laid out for them. We ask them to go out there and play for their family, each other, and their community.” This sense of community support was palpable as fans gathered along Oscar Williams Road to send the team off, showing their pride and enthusiasm.

In the match against Buda Johnson, the Greyhounds scored early in the first half, courtesy of Diego Martinez, and demonstrated their ability to protect the lead with tenacious defense, particularly from goalkeeper William Montoya, who recorded seven saves. Coach Huerta praised his players, saying, “They played with grit. They just tightened up on defense knowing that they could not give Buda Johnson any opportunity to score.”

Against Weslaco, the Greyhounds also played well defensively, initially holding a 1-0 lead at halftime before adding two more goals from Christian Reyes, Antwoan Alegria, and Bentley Zavala to ensure a convincing victory.

In contrast to the boys’ success, the Lady Greyhounds faced a disappointing end to their playoff journey, losing 5-0 to the Weslaco Panthers in a bi-district match at Bobby Lackey Stadium. Their season concluded with a record of 12-14-1, while Weslaco advanced, eventually falling to Cibolo Steele 8-0 in the area match.

Despite the heartbreaking loss, other teams in District 32-6A are still in contention, including the Harlingen Lady Cardinals and the Brownsville Veterans Memorial Lady Chargers. The Los Fresnos Lady Falcons, however, were eliminated after losing in the second round.

Last year, the Greyhounds experienced a setback when they lost their bi-district match to Economedes 6-3. The team learned valuable lessons from that defeat, which they have applied this season to achieve their current successes. Coach Huerta emphasized the determination of his players, stating, “The team deserved the win against Buda Johnson and wanted it more.”

As the playoffs progress, the San Benito Greyhounds are not just playing for victories; they are also representing their community, building a legacy that could inspire future generations of players. With a passionate fan base and a solid foundation set by earlier teams, the future looks bright for this burgeoning soccer program.