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Amidst change, Royal soccer sustains winning ways
Brookshire Royal’s boys soccer team had a nice season last year. The Falcons were regional semifinalists, going 22-4-1 overall.
Still, first-year head coach Christian Guzman, a former Houston Baptist University football player and track and field athlete who was an assistant coach for Royal last season, thought things could be better, even going as far as to change the team’s style of play.
Royal was a “kickball” team last year, Guzman said. So, he emphasized more of a passing, possession-oriented scheme.
Guzman also introduced players to the weight room, essentially unchartered land before this season.
“If we can be faster and stronger, stamina shouldn’t be an issue if the next man up is just as good,” Guzman said. “If we can pass the ball and move the ball, it doesn’t matter how fast or how slow you are. The ball will always move faster.”
Amidst the changes, Royal has not skipped a beat. The Falcons are 16-2-2 and District 20-4A champions for the second straight season. They are in the playoffs for the eighth straight season.
Congrats Royal Falcons Soccer !\nDistrict Champs @cguzman_RHS @RoyalISD @risdhighschool @RoyalFalconAth !\n#FalconPridepic.twitter.com/gHnmB3A10q— Coach Reagins (@Coach Reagins) 1646874477
Good stuff is happening in Brookshire, surely, but none more so exciting than senior midfielder Wilson Ramirez, who is set to become the program’s first player to play collegiately.
Ramirez, who has scored 12 goals with 17 assists this season and holds a 3.6 grade-point average, is choosing between Sterling College and Waldorf University whereas to continue his career.
It’s been a rewarding journey for Ramirez, who has only been in the United States four years after coming over from El Salvador.
“I’m proud of myself,” Ramirez said. “I want to improve my life. I want to have money to help my family and help my country. Soccer is my life. I really love to play, and I want to do that always.”
Ramirez is here in the States with his parents. His grandparents and brother are back home.
“I’ve always played soccer all my life,” he said. “I always wanted to play in college. All my family played soccer. I love it because my family loves it.”
Ramirez, a skilled passer with gifted vision of the field, is a tireless worker.
After school, he practices two hours with his teammates. Then, after a quick power nap, he works out on his own for a couple more hours at Planet Fitness.
He then works the night shift at Rooms To Go furniture store until 5 a.m. before going back home, getting ready for school, and then doing it all over again.
“I just feel it shows the younger kids that there is an opportunity outside of high school,” Guzman said. “And then it shows a kid like Wilson, who didn’t know a lick of English when he arrived, about opportunity. Now he’s an all-state academic selection. It’s good for the younger guys to see that they can do what Wilson is doing, but they have to take their grades more serious.”
Ramirez and junior striker Aldo Celestino are the program cornerstones. Celestino figures to be the next Falcon to play at the next level.
Celestino has 29 goals with eight assists this season. He used to play the wing and midfield, but Guzman moved him to striker this year.
“He was too fast to be playing the midfield,” Guzman said.
Brookshire Royal head coach Christian Guzman, middle (jn black), is pictured during a recent game.Courtesy of Brookshire Royal boys soccer program
Guzman is a young, confident coach. Royal is his first head coaching job. Last year, as an assistant, was his first coaching job of any kind.
He credits assistants Bruno Baltazar and Deven Leising for their help. Baltazar serves as head coach of the junior varsity and recruiting coordinator.
“The reason we’re so successful is this team is a family,” Guzman said. “It’s not a soccer team or a soccer program. It’s a family. The way these players behave with one another, the way they hold each other accountable. They literally love one another, and they hold themselves to a standard of excellence, which drives them to continue to play better.”
Justin Cryer ready for big year with Brookshire Royal
There was a time not too long ago when Justin Cryer was simply known as LJ's little brother. A precocious youngster so confident in his own athletic forays, he probably wondered why LJ was getting all the attention.
But Cryer was wise enough to watch and observe as big bro dominated the Greater Houston area hoops scene, setting the city's all-time scoring mark at Morton Ranch High in 2020. He saw the time and effort LJ put into basketball, and the awards, acclaim and athletic scholarship to Baylor that came of it.
"It was his work ethic," Cryer said. "Working to improve every day, at any time. I could see that passion he has, and it's something I try and replicate in myself. I want to work hard doing something every day, just to be a better player for myself."
Now it's the younger Cryer's time to shine, and he's not about to let it out of his grasp.
Cryer was a varsity football and baseball standout his first two years at Morton Ranch before transferring to Brookshire Royal in the spring once his father, Lionel, took the defensive coordinator job under new head coach Theadis Reagins.
Cryer is growing into his own, with a preseason whitewashing of an opponent's left tackle earning statewide attention, and no longer is he in anyone's shadow.
Bellaire High School Left Tackle meets Royal High school LB Juice Cryer.. @CoachReagins @MikeRoach247… https://t.co/eG17KrFJfQ— Coach L. Cryer (@Coach L. Cryer) 1629036575.0
"I know the side of being the younger brother and being under that watch, but it's different, too, in that we both play different sports," Cryer said. "There's no comparison, really. But it's really important people know my name and who I am, and I feel like I'm doing a good job of that so far."
Cryer's nickname is "Juice." His game is full of it.
The 6-foot-1, 225-pounder is a volatile force of punishment for opposing ballcarriers. And he'll only get better.
Last season was a learning one for Cryer as it was his first year on varsity. He got into seven games as a backup for the Class 6A Mavericks.
"You've got to be able to know your job and get to the football," Cryer said. "I've worked on my speed and getting faster to the ball. I'm taking on blocks better, improving my versatility as a pass-rusher. I'm excited for what's coming."
Cryer will be a game-changer for the 4A Falcons, who have not had a winning season since 2010. Coming from a program that plays in the top class of high school football, and competed against Katy and Tompkins in district play, Cryer's poise and experience have been welcomed.
"He leads by example and he's a vocal leader," Reagins said. "He makes sure guys are lined up right. He understands what we're doing. He understands how to watch film."
Cryer is part of a strong linebacking corps for Royal. As for where he gets his passion, work ethic and tenacity from, all you have to do is look down the sideline at his father. Lionel was a SWAC Defensive Player of the Year when he played linebacker at Grambling.
While Cryer's stats are modest, his film has been impressive enough to draw a scholarship offer from Florida State.
Truly excited to receive an offer from @CoachYACJohnson to continue my education and play football at Florida State… https://t.co/S9n7ZLGJF1— Justin Cryer (@Justin Cryer) 1622046958.0
"It definitely gave me a big boost of confidence, knowing my hard work is paying off and I'm getting somewhere," Cryer said. "I've just got to keep getting better as a player and proving myself."
Cryer practically locked himself in the weight room or film room all summer long. His expectations before even coming to Brookshire was that this season would be his breakout year. Those expectations haven't changed. They've only grown, as he's excited to be one of the faces charged with the responsibility of lifting Royal football out of the basement.
"I want to do everything," Cryer said. "I want district MVP, Defensive Player of the Year. I want to prove I'm one of the best linebackers in my class. As a team, I want to win. I want to win so badly. It's something that's kind of eluded me in high school.
"This year, we have a strong team, offense and defense. We have great coaches, great players. And I feel we can make a great run at it."