By RGV Fútbol/Staff

Related Links: Versión en Español

MISSION, 17 Feb. - Every year, prior to the start of the boys high school soccer season, Sharyland head coach Reveriano Hernández is asked his opinion about the District 30-5A race. Each year his answer is the same: "It’s going to be tight."

And each time coach Hernández has been right.

Despite preseason predictions, rankings, and tournament performances, what actually happens during the District 30-5A season is another story all together.

District 30-5A

This season is no different. Among the eight 30-5A schools, Sharyland, La Joya, Mission and La Joya Palmview should be in contention for a shot at the title, or at least a playoff spot.

The youthful Rattlers, who return only five starters from last season’s undefeated district champion squad, are rated among the top teams of 2012 in local and state rankings.

"We don’t want to worry about that stuff because that’s just on paper," said 18-year-old Sharyland senior midfielder Jesus Olivares. "We want to show our expectations on the field and play every game to win because every team is trying to beat us, we just have to play our game, and win one game at time."

The Rattlers racked up 67 goals and won their third-straight 30-5A title last year with a 14-0 record, but faced an early exit from the playoffs when they were surprised by Brownsville Hanna in the area round.

This year Sharyland won the Brownsville Tournament for the second year in a row and claimed the 5A bracket of the Brenham Select Cup in January, but struggled early on in district play and have traded in their high-powered offense for tough defense. All their district games this season have been decided by one goal.

Sharyland lost playmakers Alex De la Garza and Ricky Mata, but return last year’s champion goal-scorer Daniel García, midfielders Gerardo Garza and Olivares, and defender Heriberto "Tito" Alanis, among others.

"I think we’re playing really well as a team," said Olivares. "We’ve had some bad luck at the beginning, but hopefully we get back to where we were before, and reach our goals."

Another title contender is La Joya, under the tutelage of head coach Eugenio Milla. The Mexico City native has been charged with rebuilding the program for the past three years after losing key talent due to the addition of La Joya Palmview and La Joya Juarez-Lincoln a few years ago.

The Coyotes have a core group of talented players anchored by 17-year-old senior defender Simon Eduardo Chávez. While La Joya is not an offensive juggernaut, the Coyotes score what they need to win, and leave the rest up to the defense.

"Since I’ve been here, we’ve never been able to win district, but this year it seems like we have the opportunity to do so," said Chavez. "We’ve done well on defense and we close up well. We know how to pressure when we score and we’ve insured the games. The team’s changed several things and tactically we’re better. We defender a lot better tan last year, and that’s really important."

The last time La Joya qualified to the playoffs was in 2009, and last won the district title in 2007.

Returning players for the Coyotes are: Chávez, Jonathan Mata, Javier García, Alejandro Zurita, Sergio Cázares, Jesús Martínez, and César Rodríguez.

Mission seamlessly made the transition from 4A to 5A last year and claimed the district runner up spot with a 9-5 record in just their first season in a new class. The Eagles reached the area round of the postseason, and look to improve upon their recent success.

"We look really good, and we’re getting used to each other," said 17-year-old junior midfielder Alan Hernández. "We have a lot of seniors and hopefully we can get a lot better with our touches and finishing the goals."

Mission has struggled offensively over the past three years, but the defense has kept them in games and held the leads the offense has given them to protect. Experience will be key for head coach Christos Barouhas’ squad in 2012.

The Eagles return most of the starters from last year, among them: Hernandez, Erasmo Vasquez, Eduardo Davila, Rafael Del Ángel, Sergio López, Mel Chan, Aldo Sánchez, Martin Torres, Luis Martínez, and César Ibáñez.

Fourth year La Joya Palmview hopes to break .500 this year and make its first postseason appearance after a disappointing 5-9 season in 2011.

The Lobos have been successful early on in the season over the past three years, but have a tendency to fade in the second half. That’s something head coach Mario Ribera and his players know is a key factor in reaching the playoffs.

"The team looks good and there’s a lot of road left ahead," said 16-year-old Palmview junior forward Efraín Durán. "We communicate well on the field. We need to adapt a little better on the field, but we should do well."

Palmview returns five starters in 2012.

Other teams to watch in 30-5A are a rejuvenated McAllen squad and a scrappy Donna team that should make the district one of the toughest in the Valley.

District 61-4A

In District 61-4A, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln is the heavy favorite to win a third-straight title and improve upon its regional finals appearance in 2010. The Huskies return seven starters from last season.

Juárez-Lincoln rolled to an undefeated 10-0 mark in 2011 and scored 58 goals in district play for a 5.8 goals-per-game average. However, the Huskies were denied a return trip to regionals by Valley View in sectionals.

"We have to get the first few games out of the way," said 17-year-old Juárez-Lincoln junior forward Luis Guerra. “We’ve been playing well, but we still have to make a few adjustments, play with more heart and as a team."

Juárez-Lincoln’s primary opposition will be Roma and Mission Veterans Memorial.

Roma, who return eight starters, reached sectionals last season and was the 61-4A runner up with a 7-3 record. The Gladiators' head coach José Cortez has gradually built up the program over the past six years and produced a squad focused on team play and ball control, the fundamentals of the game.

"We hope to win district this year, and my expectation is to reach state," said 18-year-old Roma senior midfielder José Olivares. "We have to keep with the plan that we’ve had for the past few years and not let up."

Mission Veterans will be in the playoff hunt again this season with the return of a half dozen starters.

The Patriots took third place last year with a 6-4 mark and reached the area round of the playoffs.

"The team is progressing little by little," said 17-year-old Mission Veterans senior midfielder Raymundo Nava. "We’re going to put up a good fight for the district title, especially since it’s my last year. We’re a relatively young team, but our experienced players balance us out and we should come out ahead."