IN FOCUS: Duncanville knocks off North Shore in Instant Classic; photo gallery
By Miracle Bassey
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.
After an enthralling postseason filled with dramatic moments, the UIL soccer season culminates this week at Birkelbach Field in Georgetown.
With the divisions now split, the stage is set for a thrilling finish, and one matchup in particular promises to keep fans on the edge of their seats.
In the 5A-Division II girls’ final, defending state champion Wakeland faces off against Cedar Park in what is expected to be a fast-paced, high-stakes showdown.
Wakeland enters the Final on an impressive 15-game winning streak, having steamrolled through the competition, including a 3-0 win over Grapevine in the State Semis last Friday. With an undefeated record of 24-0-1, the Wolverines have solidified their place as the No. 5-ranked team in Texas (MaxPreps).
Led by head coach Jimmie Lankford, Wakeland’s strength lies in its depth.
Sophomore defender Dilan Pistorius is a standout, contributing to both the defense and the attack. She’s supported by a talented core, including forwards Morgan Landry, Kennedy Clark, and Audrey Gilbert (Mizzou-commit), as well as midfielder Kendi Smith and goalkeeper Claire Manis (Idaho)—each playing key roles in the postseason run.
Should Wakeland claim victory on Friday, it would mark the program's fifth state title since the school’s inception in 2006 and their third in the last four seasons.
However, Cedar Park is a similarly formidable opponent, determined to disrupt Wakeland’s dynasty.
The Timberwolves (24-2-1) are on a 15-game unbeaten streak, their last loss coming on January 17 against, coincidentally, Wakeland (4-2). This familiarity between the teams adds extra intrigue to the final, as both sides are well aware of what to expect.
Under the guidance of coach Winston Pool, Cedar Park has surged to its first State Final appearance since 2002, dominating Barbers Hill 4-0 in the semifinals.
Despite having a youthful lineup, including a dynamic freshman class, the Timberwolves have shown they can compete with the best.
Offensively, Cedar Park relies on the scoring prowess of senior Meredith Koltz (Belmont-commit) and freshman Blake Gilkey, who lead the team in scoring, with 26 and 25 goals, respectively.
Defenders Sofia Peters and Alivia Towns have been crucial in both offensive and defensive transitions, while sophomore goalkeeper Emma Hart has been stellar between the posts.
This marks the fifth time Cedar Park has reached the State Tournament, but they’ve yet to secure a championship. With the taste of history on the line, expect the Timberwolves to come out with everything they’ve got.
The stage is set for an unforgettable clash between two powerhouse programs. Wakeland and Cedar Park will battle for glory this Friday at 11:00 AM in Georgetown.
The defending champs are right back where they were a year ago, as the undefeated Wakeland Wolverines (24-0-1) have punched their ticket to the UIL 5A-D2 State Final.
If they emerge victorious against Cedar Park this Friday (11:00 AM) in Georgetown, it will mark the program's fifth title overall.
We spoke with Wolverines HC Jimmie Lankford, breaking down what makes this team such a consistent force in Texas, and how they're approaching this week's Final.
Check out the interview below!
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