Walnut Grove enters the final with an imposing undefeated record of 24-0-2, having sealed their spot in the title match with a dominant 5-1 victory over Americas in the state semifinals last Friday.
The Wildcats’ run to the State Final Four marks the program’s first-ever appearance at this stage, and they are determined to cap off their historic year with a title.
Under the leadership of head coach Trent Kutch, Walnut Grove has relied on a potent offense and solid teamwork throughout the season.
Junior midfielder Mason Kutch (DePaul-commit) has been a standout, leading the charge with 36 goals and 20 assists. His skill and vision have been crucial to the team’s success in 2025.
Supporting him are seniors Ben Joyner (18 goals) and Christian Nardelli (11 goals), who bring additional firepower to the attack, while senior midfielder Carson Stiglets (10 assists) ensures the midfield runs smoothly and provides key distribution.
On the other side of the field, San Antonio Southwest is enjoying a remarkable season of their own.
The Dragons have gone 25-1 thus far, and they are coming off a 5-0 victory over Angleton in the state semifinals, a dominant performance that further solidified their place in the final.
Coached by Juan Romero, Southwest boasts a relentless offense, scoring an impressive 135 goals in just 26 games this season—an average of nearly five goals per match. This firepower is complemented by an equally efficient defense, which has allowed just 11 goals all year.
Southwest features a trio of prolific scorers: junior forward Caleb Barajas, senior forward Cesar Angel, and sophomore Alfredo Plascencia. Together, they’ve tormented opposing defenses all season.
In addition, defenders Sebastian Huerta (sophomore) and Valente Leon (senior midfielder) are vital to both the team’s defensive solidity and attacking transitions.
The emergence of freshman goalkeeper Emiliano Romo has also been a game-changer, as he has kept 13 clean sheets this season, providing a reliable last line of defense.
History will soon be made, as both Walnut Grove and SA Southwest contend for their first-ever title, in the UIL 5A-D1 Final, taking place Friday (6:30 PM) at Birkelbach Field.
