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Game info for area boys teams can be found here.
Three storylines to know
Is Keller the team to beat in the area?
When it comes to area Class 6A boys teams it appears that Keller is the team to beat. Keller (19-2-0) has not lost to an area team in 2022, anchored by a defense that has allowed just 21 goals this season.
One thing that is working against Keller is the Indians have not qualified for the state tournament before. That could play into the hands of teams that have advanced previously out of Region I such as Allen (13-4-2), which made it last year, and McKinney Boyd (16-2-1). As for Region II, Duncanville (18-2-3) and Rockwall (15-3-4) are part of a wide-open field.
Can Frisco Wakeland make it six consecutive trips to state?
Since 2016, no matter what the Frisco Wakeland program does in the regular season the Wolverines get it together and find a way to advance to the state tournament. They will attempt to make it six in a row this year (the 2020 tournament was canceled because of the Covid-19 pandemic), and go for their fourth state title after winning in 2017, 2018 and 2021.
Wakeland (16-4-1) appears to have a bit of an underdog status, even in its own city as Lone Star (16-1-3) took the District 9-5A title. There are several other contenders as well such as Red Oak (16-2-3), Highland Park (16-2-3), Prosper Rock Hill (18-4-1) and McKinney North (15-4-2).
Will an area Class 4A team rise up?
Since the 2014-15 school year, when the UIL expanded to three soccer classifications, The area has captured six state titles combined in the 5A and 6A classifications, but 4A teams have come up short.
Celina (16-3-1) could buck this trend. The Bobcats have built on their unlikely run to the state semifinals last year, built around a defense that has allowed just 18 goals this season.
Nevada Community (17-2-1), which shared the District 11-4A title with Celina, could also rise up, as could Terrell (15-1-5), Sunnyvale (16-4-5) or Midlothian Heritage (15-5-0).
Other teams to watch
Rowlett
Rowlett has never made it to the state tournament, but it appears the Eagles have a good shot out of Region II in Class 6A. The only game Rowlett lost was an area team was a 3-1 decision to Plano (a dark-horse title contender). The Eagles rolled through District 9-6A with a 11-0-3 record.
Grapevine
Grapevine could be the best team in the area, in any classification. The Mustangs have steamrolled to a 23-0-2 record, with the only blemishes a tie to Lake Dallas on Feb. 8 and a 2-2 draw in a warm-up game to Euless Trinity on Tuesday. One reason for Grapevine’s success is a balanced attack led by Leo Londe (18 goals, 18 assists), Tanner Anstis (18 goals) and Carlos Barrientos (16 goals).
Wilmer-Hutchins
After a rough start to the season with a 2-6-1 record, including losses to quality programs such as Nevada Community and Oak Cliff Faith, Wilmer-Hutchins (13-6-2) regrouped nicely in District 10-4A play, edging North Dallas for the district title. The Eagles’ junior class has been the anchor with standouts such as Jose Pantojo (18 goals), Rony Garcia (15 goals, 14 assists) and Emilio Suazo (13 assists).
Other players to watch
Sam Bair, Mansfield Lake Ridge
Lake Ridge has stood toe to toe in challenging District 11-6A against Duncanville, Mansfield and Waxahachie with Bair as a key part of a defense that allows 1.2 goals per game. A senior goalkeeper, Bair has been part of 11 shutouts.
Milton Lopez, Irving
Irving made it to the state semifinals in 2018, and if Lopez’s game is clicking, the Tigers can make it back. The junior forward has scored 31 goals with 11 assists.
Chris Deamon, Red Oak
Red Oak appears to have a shot to make it to state out of challenging field in Class 5A Region II, especially is Deamon is on. A junior striker, Deamon has scored 31 goals this season, eight more than his nearest competitor among area Class 5A leaders.
Juniber Mendoza, Seagoville
After winning the District 12-5A title, Seagoville could be the Dallas ISD’s best hope of making big noise in the playoffs, led by Mendoza doing a little bit of everything. A senior striker/midfielder, Mendoza has 23 goals and 22 assists this season.
Connor Webster, Argyle
Argyle could be a dark horse for a trip to state, and Webster could lead the way. Webster has scored 33 goals this season, eight times with three or more scores.
More soccer
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