Mission falls to Laredo United in overtime thriller
With seconds winding down in crunch time, sophomore quarterback Jeremy Duran and the Mission High offense stepped to the line of scrimmage desperately needed a conversion and a score.
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After reaching the State Tournament for the second consecutive year – and the seventh time overall – the Pearland Oilers fell just short of claiming their first title since 1980, losing 4-1 to Tomball in Round Rock last spring. With valuable experience gained, this year is about seizing that opportunity.
Coach David Rogers enters his sixth year at the helm, relying on a talented core to reach their goal. Texas A&M-commit Nico Partida is back for his final year in the high school spotlight, after earning District 23-6A MVP and UIL-6A All-Tournament honors a year ago. In addition to his impeccable play on defense and at-bat (.414 BA, 7 HR, 41 RBI), Partida can just as easily make an impact when pitching (5-0), alongside junior Grant Shepherd.
Fellow All-Tournament selection, Walker Hurst, brings senior stability to the outfield, and continues to build his reputation as a collegiate prospect. Southern Mississippi commit Cade Adams (Sr. C) will anchor the defensive side, while all district second-teamer Ashton Arredondo (Jr. 1B/LHP) and Brady Brewer (Jr. DH) add further depth to the batting order.
With the Oilers shifting to District 22-6A in the UIL realignment, there’s a whole new slate of opponents to conquer. But, that will only be the beginning for a group that is aching to make history.
Under the guidance of eighth-year head coach Billy Hardin (197 wins), the Cy-Fair Bobcats are coming off a strong 2024 campaign, highlighted by a District 17-6A title and an impressive run to the Regional Final for the first time since 2018.
The Bobcats’ postseason push was halted by eventual State Finalist Pearland in a tight Game 3, further highlighting the team’s growing reputation as a serious contender.
Rice-commit Isaac Robles (Jr. RHP/IF) returns to lead the charge for BFND, after receiving a District MVP nod last spring, for his efforts on the mound (8-3 record, 1.27 ERA, 97 K) and at the plate (.368 BA, 29 RBI, 3 HR). He will be joined by a talented lineup that includes seniors Bo Caraway (Baylor commit/.323 BA, 31 runs, 47 stolen bases), Dylan Rostron (Odessa College), and Donovan Abel (Sr. C), as well as standout juniors Wade Sebek (17-6A Newcomer of the Year) and Clayton Crosby (second-team, all-district).
The team’s pitching corps will also rely on junior right-hander Jordan Schoenvogel (honorable mention), alongside Rostron and Sebek, to provide key innings from the bullpen.
While their 26-14-2 record last season showcases a strong campaign, Memorial’s true potential was revealed in the playoffs. Advancing four rounds deep into the 2024 postseason, the Jeremy York-led Mustangs reached heights that no previous team in recent memory had attained.
What makes this even more exciting is the fact that the majority of the roster from that playoff run returns for the upcoming season. Key contributors will include first-team, all-district selections Will Van Wie (Houston commit), Jake Earnest (Baylor commit), and Jackson Castillo (Sr. DH/C), all of whom will play pivotal roles in the batting order.
The Mustangs also boast a dynamic bullpen with two Texas commits: senior Matthew Manis and sophomore Grant Sperandio, both first-team selections, who will reprise their roles on the mound. Seniors such as catcher Jacob Witte (Washington) and outfielder Andrew Baay (Middlebury College) will also play vital roles in rounding out one of the most complete rosters in the state.
The pieces are now in place for Memorial to continue defying expectations. Anticipate another hot streak.
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