The Boerne High boys soccer team has the privilege of entering this season as the defending 4A state champions.
BHS coach Michael Strong said it’s a great honor but at the same time, he knows that others will be gunning for them for bragging rights to say they knocked off the current state champs.
Even though it’s early in the year, Strong said he’s already seen evidence of that.
“I’d say we have a target on our backs for sure. If I’m the opposing coach I’m going to make sure my team knows that we have the opportunity to go beat the defending state champs,” he said. “Hidalgo had last year on their mind when we played them in their tournament. A lot of credit to them, they came out and they played with some revenge in their hearts.”
Boerne held its own against Hidalgo and played them to a 0-0 tie at the Progreso tourney this year, but last season the Hounds knocked them out of the playoffs. Strong said they can’t rest on last year’s accomplishments and have to be ready for anything.
“Every day I remind my guys that this isn’t the 2021 Greyhounds. We have a lot of talent, and we have the opportunity to do something very special but we aren’t there yet,” he said. “If we don’t continue to get better every day, we will come up short.”
A look at the team
Strong said this year’s squad has a chance to be better than last season’s and that’s saying a lot since they won the whole thing.
“I think the biggest strength we have this year is our depth,” he said. “This is the most talent we’ve had on one team since I’ve been here at Boerne.”
On this year’s roster is Jose Martinez, Jess Gonzales, Bryan Fernandez, Landon Murphy, Jake Herman, Joe Ballenger, Adrian Cuervo, Fernando Palacios, Ricardo Ponce, Juan Castro, Logan Walter, Sam Theiss, Justin Moore, Sam Gonzales, David Banegas, Brett Hettie, Hudson Stevens, Hudson Vickery, Noah LeMaster, Parker Murphy, Freddy Sosa and Bear Kelly.
Some of the players were on last year’s team, including Murphy who was named the 4A state tournament MVP and recently signed to play at Hardin-Simmons University.
The Hounds went 22-1-1 last season and beat Fort Worth Diamond Hill – Jarvis for the state title, 3-1.
So what was Strong’s best memory from last year?
“It had to be the state final and seeing our kids rush the field when the final whistle blew,” he said. “Getting to see them accomplish something that I only dreamt of as a player was really special and something that I will never forget.”
A look at the district
The BHS boys have won three straight district titles and look to make it four in a row, but Strong said there are some good teams in District 26-4A.
“Our district is going to be competitive again this year. It will be interesting to see who ends up at the top but I think Davenport will surprise some teams in our district,” he said. “What I can tell you is that it will be extremely competitive when it’s all said and done. I think the gap between the 4th and 5th place team will come down to one or two games.”
Included in Boerne’s district is Fredericksburg, Wimberley, Davenport, Canyon Lake, Great Hearts Northern Oaks and Bandera, along with the Greyhounds.
Beyond district and into the playoffs, Strong said there are some solid teams out there that they could possibly face.
“So far Taylor, Idea Montopolis and Hidalgo are all looking really strong,” he said. “I’ve got my eye on La Vernia as well, so it will be interesting to see what happens.”
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