McHi teams look strong again in 30-5A

McAllen High ranks as one of the top soccer schools in the Rio Grande Valley as far as the combined success of its boys and girls teams.

McHi's boys won District 30-5A last year, and the McHi girls were 30-5A runners-up. The Lady Bulldogs, playoff qualifiers every season since they began UIL competition in 1997, became the first Valley girls team to reach the Class 5A regional final in 2007.

"We still have seven girls from our regional finalist team of two years ago," said Pat Arney, beginning his 13th season as McHi's girls coach.

With nine starters back, the Lady Bulldogs are again district favorites. Among their returnees are forward Megan Ochoa, who captured 30-5A offensive MVP honors for scoring 38 goals in 2008. Also, sweeper Danielle Campos was one of the 30-5A defensive MVPs and stopper Alex Peisen was an all-district first-teamer. In the midfield, all-district performers Katie Hockema and Tara Sparks also return.

The McAllen Memorial girls could be the biggest challenge in the path of McHi's quest for the district title. The Lady Mustangs, under second-year head coach Mathew Keiser, return eight starters, including forward Robyn McNallen, one of the 30-5A offensive MVPs a year ago, and midfielder Audi Tamez, the district's utility player of the year in 2008, plus Nicole Priest, an all-district first-teamer at goalkeeper.

Sharyland, the 30-5A champion last season, could also give the Lady Bulldogs some problems. The Lady Rattlers return four starters and will have 13 new players on the varsity, coach J.J. Lopez said. The top returnees include forward Paty Alanis and midfielder Alejandra Cabrera.

Lopez said the Lady Rattlers have made the playoffs every year and won at least one game in the postseason. "Hopefully, our tradition will help us," he said.

McAllen Rowe, the 30-5A fourth-place team last season that advanced three rounds in the playoffs, will also be a contender and is expected to be led by Stephanie Rodriguez, the 30-5A newcomer of the year in 2008.

McHi's boys won a tight district race last season and Bulldog coach Fernando Segovia expects it to be even tougher this season.

"We know all the teams will be coming after us because maintaining a district championship is never easy," said Segovia, who has seven starters back. "We just have to work harder this season."

Among the top returnees for the Bulldogs are center midfielder Jorge Jaramillo, forward Juan Lopez and sweeper Armando Capuchino, each an all-district performer last season.

Sharyland, which endured a rare season of not making the playoffs in 2008, returns nine starters and should challenge for a top finish in 30-5A. Among the Rattlers' key returnees is forward Guillermo Lozano, a first-team all-district selection in 2008.

"It was tough missing the playoffs last year," Sharyland coach Reveriano Hernandez said. "It's going to be another close race this time, and just because you have a lot of people coming back, it's not a sure thing that you'll make the playoffs."

Rio Grande City, with seven starters returning including first-team all-district midfielder Raul Santillan and second-team defender Jared Lopez, should be a team to watch.

An important question in 30-5A will be what to expect after La Joya experienced a three-way high school split prior to the current school year. La Joya High is expected to have retained several players, now seniors, who were members of the Coyotes squad that advanced to the regional tournament in San Antonio last season. La Joya Palmview is the new team in 30-5A. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln is competing in Class 4A.

"This will be one tight district race," said Mike Rice, beginning his eighth season as RGC's boys coach. "Get ready for some fun."

30-5A GIRLS PREDICTED FINISH: 1. McAllen High, 2. McAllen Memorial, 3. McAllen Rowe, 4. Sharyland, 5. Donna, 6. La Joya Palmview, 7. RGC, 8. La Joya High

30-5A BOYS PREDICTED FINISH: 1. McAllen High, 2. Sharyland, 3. McAllen Rowe, 4. McAllen Memorial, 5. RGC, 6. Donna, 7. La Joya High, 8. La Joya Palmview

Roy Hess writes for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him via e-mail at rhess@brownsvilleherald.com.