John Tyler Boys Soccer Preview: Lions looking to keep going despite graduating 10 seniors

Published 10:42 pm Wednesday, January 8, 2014

John Tyler has been to the third round of the playoffs for three straight years.

Returning three starters and losing 10 seniors, the Lions may have a new cast, but they’re still hoping to get over that third-round hump.

“This year we’re going to be a little skinny on varsity experience, but hopefully we’ll be big on hustle,” JT coach Howard Story said. “So we’re hoping to have some success.”

The Lions open the 2014 season today against Mexia (11:30 a.m.) and Arlington Seguin (5:30 p.m.) in the Lancaster Tournament.

Many key figures from the 2013 season have graduated, including District 31-4A offensive MVP Porfirio Benitez, Goalie of the Year Daniel Montoya and all-district first-team defenders Juan Cornejo, Noe Diaz and Gerardo Lopez.

With a large chunk gone from last year’s 17-5-2 team that lost 2-1 to Kilgore in the sectional round, JT will look to midfielders Aron Alonso, Jose Valdez and Jose Paz.

Alonso and Valdez were second-team selections last year with Alonso, a junior Olympic Development Program player, leading the Lions in assists with 13.

With few returning starters, the bulk of the team will comprise former junior varsity players, although the strength of the 2013 varsity squad meant quality players had to play JV.

“The main thing is that these kids are soccer players; that’s what they do,” Story said. “They love the game; they have a lot of experience in that respect. It’s just because I’ve had to change some of their positions just for the sake of the team, it’s going to be getting them to play well together.”

Despite graduating the top goalie in 31-4A, Story has two goalies he’s excited about for this season: Luis Melendez and Saul Uribe. So strong is JT at the goalie position that the third-string goalie will play forward.

“Both of those are outstanding players at the goalie position,” said Story, who usually splits goalies in non-district before deciding on one for league play. “This year I could actually see us maybe continuing that right through district because, all things equal, I think both goalies are pretty equal.”

Story will have to retool his offense and defense, with four new defenders in the Lions’ 4-4-2 formation. Among the new defenders will be Francisco Villela, Juan Fernandez and Jorge Palacios.

The attack, which lacks a sure-fire, go-to goal scorer, will lean on midfielders like Alonso and Valdez to be the primary creators.

“Probably the biggest challenge is just getting the team in sync as far as their responsibilities … and striking a balance between defense and offense,” Story said.

The Lions went 7-1-1-1 in 31-4A last year, finishing second, two points behind Lindale. Story said he expects the Eagles again to be in the hunt for a league title in a district that includes Athens, Chapel Hill, Mabank and Whitehouse.

“Because we graduated so many last year, I think it will be a challenging year for us,” Story said. “It’ll be interesting to see how the guys react.

“We have good soccer tradition at John Tyler and I think the kids are going to play with a lot of pride this year.”

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2014 John Tyler Boys Soccer Schedule

Date Opponent Time

Jan. 9-11 Lancaster Tournament —

Jan. 16-18 Longview Tournament —

Jan. 23-25 Lufkin Tournament —

Jan. 28 vs. Robert E. Lee (Rose Stadium) 7 p.m.

Jan. 31 Waco High (Rose Stadium) 6 p.m.

Feb. 3 Jacksonville (Rose Stadium) 7 p.m.

Feb. 7 at Athens* 7 p.m.

Feb. 11 Mabank* (JTHS) 7 p.m.

Feb. 14 at Chapel Hill* 7 p.m.

Feb. 18 at Whitehouse* 7 p.m.

Feb. 21 Lindale* (Rose Stadium) 7 p.m.

Feb. 25 Athens* (Rose Stadium) 7 p.m.

Feb. 28 at Mabank* 7 p.m.

March 4 Chapel Hill* (JTHS) 7 p.m.

March 7 Whitehouse* (JTHS) 7 p.m.

March 18 at Lindale* 7 p.m.

Roster

No. Name Class

GK Luis Melendez Sr.

GK Saul Uribe Sr.

2 Aaron Ibarra Jr.

3 Javier Quezada Sr.

4 Jose Valdez Sr.

5 Aaron Alfaro So.

6 Francisco Alfaro Sr.

7 Jose Paz So.

8 Aldo Alvarado Jr.

9 Aron Alonso Jr.

10 Luis Duran Jr.

11 Freddy Hernandez So.

12 Alexis Alvarado Jr.

13 Ernesto Hernandez Jr.

14 Jorge Palacios Sr.

15 Francisco Villela Sr.

16 Luis Lizalde Jr.

17 Juan FernandezSr.

18 Sebastian Calleja Sr.

19 Antonio Betancourt So.