Catch all the action from our talented Abilene Wylie affiliate for Thursday's match-up:
Abilene Wylie Bulldogs vs. Lubbock Monterey Plainsmen
6:15 p.m. Pregame, 6:30 Kickoff
Wylie Crew: Trace Michaels, Bill Whitaker
Eaton Eagle soccer athletes pose with former Eaton Eagle soccer athletes at the Alumni Game
There have been a few season that haven't gone the way the Eaton Eagle soccer fans wished they would have. Although the team had fought hard over the previous years, they couldn't seem to pull away from the seasons with a great record. This season, the Eaton Eagles are changing their team culture and setting forth with the mentality to be successful. VYPE DFW dives into what fans should expect out of the Eaton Eagle soccer team this season:
Last season, the team finished sixth in their district, but was still able to post some great wins on the year. The team even closed out their season with a victory over Keller Fossil Ridge. Despite a tough season, the team is ready to prove to themselves, the fans, and any naysayers out there that they have what it takes to compete against some of the best teams in the metroplex.
So far this season, the team has been tough on the field. Although they have suffered a handful of losses, the Eagles have fought hard and shown that they have the ability to maintain a momentum that allows the offense to score and the defense to step up when absolutely necessary. The team has posted wins against the likes of Crowley, Abilene Cooper, and Keller Fossil Ridge and looks ahead to what should be a strong district schedule.
Although the team will face some of the toughest teams in the metroplex, fans shouldn't count the Eagles out just yet. They have a strong spirit and an energetic presence on the field every time they enter the game. With the desire to want to achieve success, fans can expect the Eaton Eagles to play hard every single game this season. There will be a new culture on the field this season through district play- a stronger one. Fans can expect nothing less than determination this season.
With his junior season under his belt, Lake Dallas athlete Xinjin Gomez was voted as the VYPE DFW Public School Defensive Player of the Year by fans who participated in the poll. After winning the fan poll, VYPE DFW was able to catch up with Gomez to chat a little bit about what his time with Lake Dallas has been like.
To read the exclusive interview, become a VYPE Insider today!
The safety who also spends time on the field as a wide receiver has made plenty of memories while playing football. So far, his favorite memory is drawn from every single game and comes at the start of each fourth quarter. "Music starts playing and everyone on the sidelines start jumping," said Gomez. "The stands get loud and the coaches are hyped."
It's easy to make fond memories every game when you are used to giving it your all on the field game after game. As a successful student-athlete, fans might wonder what the secret to Gomez's success is: "Working hard and just knowing the game plan- giving it my all every time," said Gomez in regards to his success during his junior season. As far as the secret to the team's success? It all comes down to relationships with one another. "We stay close [as a team]," Gomez explained. "We never give up on each other."
In order to have a successful season, though, the hard work begins in the off-season. Many athletes use the off-season to unwind before getting back to the grind, but to truly stay focused defines an athlete better than anything else. In order to stay focused, Gomez trains every single day. "Most of the time [I train] twice a day," Gomez said. "I don't let what people say get to me and I just keep my head down."
It's always important for any athlete to set a goal and stick with it- whether it's a personal goal or a team goal. This season, Gomez had plenty of goals for himself as well as goals for the team with his mindset focused on wanting to get to the state game at the end of the season. For his personal goals this season, Gomez wanted to record over seven interceptions and at least 100 tackles. "I did not meet the numbers I wanted," said Gomez. "But I still feel like I accomplished so much this year."
As a team, it was a week-by-week mentality as far as goals were laid out. "We wanted to go 1-0 every week," Gomez told VYPE. "We had this saying: dirty berg mentality. It meant that we have the dog mentality and we can't let anyone outwork us."
Although the soon-to-be senior has not yet committed to a college, he has not ruled out the idea of playing football at the next level. Gomez says he is looking for specific things in a college program: "I'm looking for a place that feels like home and I want to feel like they are part of my family. I want to be surrounded by determination not only from other players, but the coaches as well."
Gomez wants to major in business when he goes to college.
Who is your favorite professional sports team?
"Indianapolis Colts!"
Who do you look up to as an athlete?
"I look up to Andrew Luck because he was a great leader and a humble guy."
If you could go to dinner with anyone (dead or alive), who would it be? What would you hope to talk about?
"My grandpa who I never got to see because I always wanted to ask him how my dad was when he was growing up."
Welcome to the 2021-2022 VYPE Awards presented by Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine! VYPE will recognize the top teams and athletes in his and her respective sports.
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OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine is Houston's leading provider of orthopedic services, from sports medicine to joint replacement. Houston Methodist offers comprehensive diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitative services with a high standard of excellence for elite athletes, active adults and student athletes. Houston Methodist serves as the official health care provider for the Houston Texans, Houston Astros, Rice Athletics, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™, Houston Ballet, Houston Symphony and Houston Grand Opera.
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