FULL TIME: 2025 TAPPS-D1 Soccer State Final Preview – Central Catholic vs. Parish Episcopal
07 Mar, 2025
Central Catholic returns to the TAPPS-D1 State Championship with an impressive 16-1-2 record, having dropped just one game all season.
The Buttons are no strangers to this stage, reaching the final for the third straight year and previously establishing a dynasty with four consecutive titles from 2017 to 2020.
However, they haven’t claimed the crown since and are eager to change that after dominant playoff victories over St. John XXIII (6-1), St. Pius X (8-7), and St. Thomas (2-1).
Guided by Coach Bartholomew Valerios, Central Catholic leans on its experienced core, including first-team all-state selections Andres Bacho (Sr. MF), Brandan Thomas (Sr. MF), Albert Arzola (Jr. D), and Jaime Heeren (Sr. GK).
Ranked No. 7 in Texas by MaxPreps, the Buttons enter as early favorites.
But Parish Episcopal won’t go down easily.
Coach Craig Savage’s squad just stunned defending champion John Paul II with a commanding 3-0 semifinal win, improving to 10-4-1.
Parish Episcopal's Brian Luna
After an early playoff exit last year, the Panthers have made a remarkable turnaround. Key contributors include second-team all-state honorees Gael Garza (Jr. F) and Brian Luna (Sr. D), along with standout midfielder Ryder Sherman (Jr.).
History is on the line when these teams clash at 9:30 AM in Round Rock—Central Catholic seeks to reclaim its championship pedigree, while Parish Episcopal looks for validation.
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Last year, Lake Creek reached the Regional Finals before falling short to Lake Belton. Second-year coach Candyce Carter is ready to get the Lions back to the State Tournament, after winning the Class 5A State Championship in 2022 and 2023, and has the talent to do so.
Nine players are currently committed to play college softball. Six starters return for Carter including University of North Carolina-commit Madalyn Davis, who was the District 17-5A Offensive Player of the Year in 2024. She was also a TGCA All-State and THSCA Super Elite Team selection.
Wichita State-commit Sara Wiggins (TSWA All-State, TGCA All-State), McNeese State University-commit Gracee Brewer (first-team, all-district, second-team, all-region) and Texas State-commit Chesney Davis (firstteam, all-district) are also set to return.
Other players to watch include Maggie Hayward (Hilsdale College-commit), Abby Estay (Abilene Christian University-commit), Miranda Orso- (McLennan Collegecommit), Addie Davis (University of Houston-commit), Laney Galloway (McNeese State University-commit), Annelise Torres and Maci Nowak.
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