The race for District 30-5A’s postseason berths is tighter than any other district in the RGV, with all four playoff spots still available heading into the final week of the regular season.
Laredo Nixon, La Joya Palmview, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, Laredo Martin, Mission High and Rio Grande City are all still in the running for the playoffs, with the first place and sixth place team separated by just eight points.
Two of those teams squared off Friday, with the La Joya Palmview Lobos taking down the Mission High Eagles 2-0 to move into second in the table and more importantly one step closer to a playoff berth. The loss drops the Eagles (28) into fifth in the standings, trailing Juarez-Lincoln (29) and Laredo Martin (29) by one point.
The Lobos pounced on the Eagles during the first half, scoring both their goals during the opening period. Daniel Vera and Edgar Villalpando each scored once during the win, both recording their sixth goals of the season.
Tight defense carried Palmview to the win during the second half, leaving with the clean sheet and their fifth win during the second half of district play. The Lobos are now 5-0-1 during the second round of district, with their lone tie ending with a shootout win over Juarez-Lincoln.
La Joya Palmview (8-2-4) will look to take another step towards a playoff berth at 6 p.m. Tuesday, taking on the Roma Gladiators at Gladiator Arena in Roma. Meanwhile, the Eagles (8-3-3) will look to remain in the playoff hunt with a must-win game against Rio Grande City (6-5-3) at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Tom Landry Stadium in Mission.
A win by the Lobos and a loss by the Eagles on Tuesday would secure a postseason spot for Palmview, while also keeping Rio Grande City’s playoff hopes alive.
RIO GRANDE CITY 2, LAREDO NIXON 1: At Rio Grande City, the Rattlers’ Pedro De La Torre and Damian Gomez each scored once to lead RGC past Laredo Nixon at home.
The victory keeps Rio Grande City’s postseason hopes alive, sitting just five points outside of the top 4 with two games remaining.
Nixon entered the contest atop the district table, leading reigning 30-5A champion La Joya Juarez-Lincoln by three points. Rio Grande City’s stunner created chaos heading into next week’s season finale, with Palmview, Juarez-Lincoln, Laredo Martin and Mission High all remaining in play for a district title.
Laredo Nixon (10-3-1) looks to bounce back at 6 p.m. Tuesday on the road against Laredo Cigarroa (0-14-0). A win by the Mustangs and a Palmview loss or tie secures at least a share of the district title for Nixon.
Meanwhile, the Rattlers (6-5-3) turn their attention to a must-win game against Mission High (8-3-3) at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Tom Landry Stadium in Mission.
DISTRICT 32-5A
BROWNSVILLE RIVERA 2, BROWNSVILLE PACE 0: At Brownsville, Hairo Zavala recorded a first-half brace to help the Raiders down their intracity rival and secure the fourth and final playoff spot in the district.
The win secures Rivera the No. 2 seed for the district in the Class 5A DI bracket, joining Harlingen South. They’ll await the No. 1 seed from District 31-5A in the bi-district round of the playoffs.
Brownsville Rivera (10-3-4) closes out the regular season at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, hosting the Weslaco East Wildcats (4-11-2).
DISTRICT 30-4A
IDEA PHARR 6, IDEA NORTH MISSION 0: At Mission, four different IDEA Pharr players found the back of the net, including a hat trick by William Arciniega, to secure a playoff berth for the Lions.
Derek Carrillo, Alfonso Herrera and Cristian Ortega each scored once along with Arciniega’s three-goal performance.
The victory secures the district’s No. 1 seed in the Class 4A DII playoffs for the Lions, with IDEA North Mission and Vanguard Mozart fighting for the district’s final playoff berth.
The Lions (12-3-1) host Vanguard Rembrandt (4-8-4) in their penultimate district game at 6 p.m. Friday.
The Warriors (8-5-3) remain in fourth despite the loss. Still, they’ll need to play their best soccer down the stretch to secure a playoff spot, with Vanguard Mozart (8-4-4) just one point behind them in the standings. IDEA North Mission takes on Hidalgo (11-0-5) in a pivotal district game at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Bill Pate Memorial Stadium in Hidalgo.
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