Whataburger Team of the Week: Klein Cain Soccer captures school's first-ever UIL Championship
Billed as the main event of the UIL soccer season, the 6A-Division I State Championship between Klein Cain and Alief Elsik delivered on every front.
Cain’s dramatic playoff run culminated in a 1-0 victory over Alief Elsik (24-2) on Saturday at Birkelbach Field, sealing the school’s first-ever state title in boys soccer — and its first championship of any kind since the school opened in 2017.
The Hurricanes (23-2-3) reached the final after a thrilling semifinal win over Plano West, advancing through a penalty shootout (7-6) following a hard-fought 1-1 draw. That victory extended Cain’s remarkable debut run in the State Tournament and set the stage for a tense showdown with Elsik.
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
Both teams struggled to break through during regulation, locked at 0-0 after 80 minutes. But with less than two minutes remaining in the first half of extra time, junior forward Parker Glenn delivered the moment of the match.
Finding space in the final third, Glenn buried the deciding goal to give Cain a 1-0 lead — and ultimately, a championship.
“It’s a feeling I can’t even begin to describe,” said Glenn, who was named the UIL 6A-Division I State MVP. “It’s unimaginable to know that this is the game that proved we’re the best team in the state of Texas — in the biggest division. I didn’t even dream of accomplishing something like this at the beginning of the season, and now we’re here.”
Junior Parker Glenn being presented with the 2025 UIL 6A-D1 State MVP AwardMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
Cain’s championship wasn’t built on a single performance. Alongside Glenn, junior goalkeeper Donato Farina, senior forward Andre Popa, and junior defender Daniel Celis were named to the All-Tournament Team, representing the balance and strength throughout the Hurricanes' lineup.
Despite being a relatively young program, head coach Jerson Carrasco has built a standard rooted in discipline and belief — and this year’s squad brought that vision to life.
KC Head Coach Jerson CarrascoMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
“The kids are the ones who put in the work,” Carrasco said. “The buy-in to the culture has been amazing from the start. Once I got here, I told them we’d consistently work on our craft and the results will come. Now, here we are as State Champs, and I just feel blessed to be with this program and to have these kinds of kids. It’s been awesome.”
With their championship secured and new precedent established, the Hurricanes now stand as a model of team culture can accomplish — earning their spot as the Whataburger Team of the Week.