GAMES
RANKINGS
EXTRA TIME: Previewing the 2025 UIL Soccer State Finals--Alief Elsik v. Klein Cain (Boys 6A-D1)
It all comes down to this.
As teams and fanbases prepare to travel to Georgetown this week, the UIL Soccer season is nearing its grand finale.
In Saturday's 6A-Division I state championship, two Houston-area teams—Alief Elsik and Klein Cain—will square off in a matchup that has taken many by surprise.
Some of the stars of 2024-25 Alief Elsik SoccerDoug Brown (VYPE)
Alief Elsik enters the final on the heels of two monumental victories last week.
First, the Rams knocked off back-to-back 6A champions Seven Lakes with a dominant 5-1 performance. They followed that with a crucial 1-0 win over Vista Ridge on Friday, securing a spot in the championship and earning Whataburger Team of the Week honors.
With a 24-2 record heading into the final, Elsik has proven to be a force to be reckoned with.
Head Coach Vincenco Cox and his squad have demonstrated impressive cohesion at every phase of the game.
Defensively, senior defenders Chris Guillen and Michael Ochoche-Ochoche have anchored a shutdown back line, while the midfield and attack have been driven by the talents of Jacob Ordonez, Asa Marsh, and Jhon Marulanda-Morena, all seniors.
Last week’s Semifinal marked Elsik's fourth appearance at the State Tournament, with their last trip coming in 2019. The Rams will be hungry to add another state title to their 2018 victory, when they defeated San Antonio Reagan 1-0.
On the other side, Klein Cain is riding a wave of unprecedented success.
2024-25 Klein Cain SoccerJamey Wright (VYPE)
The Hurricanes are making their first-ever appearance in the State Final since the school opened in 2017.
They punched their ticket to the championship with a dramatic 7-6 penalty shootout victory over Plano West after a 1-1 draw in Friday’s Semifinal. Prior to that, Klein Cain secured a 1-0 win over Bridgeland in the Region II-6A-D1 Final.
With a 23-2-3 record, Coach Jerson Carrasco and co. are looking to cap off a historic season with a state title.
Offensively, look for senior forward Andre Popa and junior forward Parker Glenn to put pressure on Elsik's defense, while captains Evan Messina (senior defender) and Daniel Celis (junior defender) will lead the charge against the Rams' equally potent attack.
At 6:30 PM on Saturday, these two H-Town heavyweights will clash at Birkelbach Field in a battle for the 6A-Division I crown.
CLICK HERE TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE UIL STATE SOCCER BRACKETS
EXTRA TIME: Previewing the 2025 UIL Soccer State Finals--Walnut Grove v. SA Southwest (Boys 5A-D1)
The stage is set for an exciting showdown in the UIL 5A-Division I State Final as Walnut Grove and San Antonio Southwest face off this Friday at 6:30 PM at Birkelbach Field in Georgetown.
Both teams have made history by reaching the state final for the first time, and now, they’ll battle for their first-ever state championship.
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.