by DIONI GOMEZ
The Rebel boys soccer team opened their season Wednesday at Shelton Stadium with a traditional scrimmage against Hays High soccer alumni.
The annual struggle ended in a tie. The alums took the game in a shoot-out, 2-0.
The Rebels tested their skills against players their own age, as they took on Manor on Friday with a score of ...
The alumni game was close throughout, with Class of 2012 veteran Parker Thornton scoring within the first ten minutes.
However, fatigue was a factor for the alums as Hays took advantage, scoring three unanswered goals. Christian Chavez scored late in the first half and Christian Varela early in the second. Chavez hit the net again before Class of 2010 Joe Garcia stopped the bleeding with a goal of his own.
Hays attempted to widen the gap as Varela also hit his second of the night midway through the half.
Not to be outdone, the alumni mounted a comeback, scoring two unanswered goals, one by Garcia and another by Thornton, to tie the score at 4-4 at the end of regulation play.
Usually that would be the end of play, but reputations were on the line, so the teams agreed to a shootout. Both keepers performed well but the alumni took the game – along with bragging rights – in the end, two goals to none.
Hays soccer head coach Jason Burnett said he was proud of the level that everyone played, since he had coached every player on the field – whether current player or alum.
“I was very proud of the way they played, the alumni too. My old kids have not lost a step,” Burnett said.
Burnett said his motto this year, “Come and take it,” comes from the Battle of Gonzales. I’m “just excited we have a back-to-back district title to defend.”
The Hays Rebels have four returning seniors this year, Omar Rangel, Christian Varela, Talon Homesly and Kevin Mendoza. Burnett says the district this year looks strong, as Hays “took the biggest loss in graduates” from last year’s teams. He said that the biggest competition will probably be Cedar Creek, which will be graduating their seniors this year. “They did get second place last year, so they are on our radar, for sure,” he said.
As for cross-district rival Lehman Lobos, Burnett didn’t give a real prediction. “They took one and we tied one last year. We are down (seniors) and they are about the same, so we will be looking to the young kids to step up. If they do, it should be fun to watch,” Burnett said, adding “but that round ball bounces real funny sometimes!”
The Rebels will be hosting their own Rebel Cup this week, beginning Thursday. Games will be played at both Hays and Lehman high schools.
Hays kicks off 10 a.m. against Crockett at Shelton Stadium, while the Lobos take on Akins 2 at 10 a.m. at Lehman High.
Action continues on Friday for Hays at 10 a.m. against Akins 1 at Shelton, while Lehman plays Regan at noon at Lehman high.
On Saturday, Hays takes on Rouse at 8 a.m. at Shelton. Lehman plays Leander at noon Saturday at Shelton Stadium.
The Rebel Cup finishes out with the Consolation Championship (5th and 6th place teams) at 4 p.m. Saturday. The Tournament Championship of 3rd and 4th place teams will be at 6 p.m. Saturday. The final game, the Rebel Cup Championship of 1st vs. 2nd place teams will be played at 8 p.m.
All championship games will be played at Shelton Stadium.
