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BRACKETOLOGY: Previewing the Top Clashes of H-Town Soccer in the Regional Semis
With a trip to the Regional Finals on the line, here’s a look at some of the more enticing matchups taking place in Round 3 of the UIL Soccer Playoffs.
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GIRLS -- Ridge Point Panthers vs. Seven Lakes Spartans (6A-D1 Region III)
Alex Hinson (VYPE)
Under Coach Evelyn Torres, Ridge Point has continued its dominance, securing a sixth consecutive undefeated district title (14-0) before rolling past Sam Rayburn (8-0) in the bi-district round.
The Panthers then edged Summer Creek in a tense PK shootout (1-1; 3-1 SO) on Tuesday, improving to 22-2 on the season.
Anchored by one of the state’s stingiest defenses – allowing just 10 goals in 24 games – Ridge Point also boasts a high-powered attack, netting 124 goals (over five per game).
Senior captains Cameryn Letellier (MF/F), Emma Lovell (D/F), and Laurel Kelley (MF/F) provide the experience and leadership that have propelled the Panthers beyond last season’s area-round exit.
Now, they’re eager for a return to Georgetown for the first time since 2023.
Standing in their way is Seven Lakes, a program equally determined to get back to the state stage after falling in last year’s State Semifinals to eventual 6A champion Prosper.
The Spartans (16-4-2), led by Coach Kaitlyn Eidson, have advanced with dominant wins over Alief Hastings (11-0) and Cy-Fair (2-1), carrying significant momentum into this showdown.
Like Ridge Point, they also claimed a district title and feature a deep, talented senior class.
Key players include Olivia Orellana (ULL-commit), Kennedy Reed (UTSA), Chloe Callahan (St. Edward’s), Victoria Ott (F), Sophia Ferro (MF/F), Lainey McGee (D), Maria Castro (MF/D), Evangeline Li (MF), and Madison Holland (MF/F).
These two state contenders will battle for a spot in the Regional Final this Friday (March 28) at 6:30 PM at Tully Stadium.
BOYS -- Alief Elsik Rams vs. Atascocita Eagles (6A-D1 Region III)
Doug Brown (VYPE)
Alief Elsik isn’t far removed from the State Tournament, last reaching the Final Four in 2019 and winning the 6A Title the year prior with a 1-0 victory over San Antonio Reagan.
While the Rams have yet to return to that stage, they’re making a strong case in 2025, entering the Regional Semifinals with a stellar 21-2 record and a No. 8 state ranking (MaxPreps).
Led by Coach Vincenzo Cox, Elsik opened the playoffs with a commanding 7-3 win over perennial Katy ISD power Cinco Ranch before proving their resilience in a dramatic 2-1 overtime victory against Houston Lamar.
Now, they look to surpass last year’s third-round exit and continue their march toward Georgetown.
The Rams have relied on strong senior leadership, with Matthew Rodriguez (ST), Chris Guillen (MF), Asa Marsh (W), and Jacob Ordonez (D) playing pivotal roles in their success.
However, Atascocita won’t be an easy hurdle.
The Eagles have battled through one of the toughest districts in Texas, finishing third in 23-6A before making a strong playoff push.
They secured a 1-0 win over Deer Park in the first round, followed by a gritty 2-1 overtime victory against Pearland, improving to 15-4-7 on the season.
Coach Jed Garner’s squad is having its most successful campaign to date and isn’t looking to slow down.
Key contributors include Victor Garcia (Jr. MF/F), David Henriquez (Sr. D), Miguel De La Cruz (Jr. F/MF), and Carlos De La Cruz (Sr. D/MF), all of whom have played vital roles in Atascocita’s postseason success.
Elsik and Atascocita will clash on Friday at 6:30 PM at Galena Park ISD Stadium, with a trip to the Round 4 on the line.
GIRLS -- Tomball Cougars vs. Forney Jackrabbits (6A-D2 Region II)
Doug Brown (VYPE)
Tomball hasn’t missed a step from last season, when the Cougars went four rounds deep in the playoffs, before UIL’s restructuring split 6A into two divisions.
Now, under Coach Victoria Parsons, they find themselves in a familiar position, advancing to the Regional Semis following hard-fought wins over Cy Woods (2-1 OT) and College Park (3-0).
Sitting at 16-2-3, Tomball boasts a well-balanced squad with firepower up top in Gabby McCuistion (Sr. F), Ella Taylor (So. F), and Tatum Greensage (Sr. F).
The midfield is anchored by Emily Fowlkes (Sr. MF) and Mikaela Corral (Sr. MF), while Adrianna Glass (Jr. GK) leads a steady backline that has been tough to break down.
However, they’ll have a serious test against a dominant Forney squad.
The Jackrabbits (21-1) enter the matchup ranked No. 12 in Texas (MaxPreps) and are riding high on a 20-game winning streak.
Their only loss came in early January against Sachse (2-1), a team still alive in the 6A-D1 playoffs.
Coach Trisha Williamson’s squad rolled through District 10-6A unbeaten (12-0) and has shown no signs of slowing down, dismantling Rowlett (8-0) and Harker Heights (9-0) in the first two rounds.
Forney’s high-powered attack—responsible for 118 goals in 22 games—features standouts like Madalynn Putnam (Jr. F), Addison E. Smith (So. F), and Kalani Brundage (So. F). Meanwhile, their defense has been equally impressive, conceding just 12 goals all season.
This pivotal Regional Semifinal showdown is set for Friday at 6:30 PM at Belton ISD Stadium.
BOYS -- Kingwood Park Panthers vs. B.F. Terry Rangers (5A-D2 Region III)
After reaching the fourth round of the playoffs last season, Kingwood Park once again finds itself in a similar situation, preparing for a showdown with B.F. Terry in the UIL 5A-D2 Region 3 Semifinals.
The Panthers are no strangers to deep postseason runs, and this year is no exception.
Entering the matchup with a stellar 19-3-2 record, Coach Christian Boehm’s squad has been in top form, securing playoff victories over Rudder (4-2) and Port Arthur Memorial (2-0). With momentum on their side, they have no plans of slowing down now.
Kingwood Park’s attack is led by a talented core, including Chase Bennett (Sr. MF/F), Grant Jimerson (Sr. F), Blake Lawson (Sr.), Jonathan West (Sr.), and Kye Wehby (So.).
As they push for their first state tournament appearance since 2021, they’ll have to get past a formidable opponent.
B.F. Terry (20-1-2) has been dominant all season, suffering just one loss— a narrow 1-0 defeat to, coincidentally, Kingwood, a team still competing in the 6A-D2 playoffs.
The Rangers stormed through District 22-5A with an 11-0-1 record before making a statement in the postseason, defeating Waltrip (6-3) and Georgetown (4-1).
Like Kingwood Park, Terry bowed out in the fourth round last year but is determined to break through in 2025.
Under Coach Drew Brenk, the Rangers feature a high-powered offense, led by senior striker Runyambo Muco (34 goals, 10 assists), alongside midfielders Samir Mohammad Nasim (19 goals, 12 assists) and Jesus Rivas-Guzman (17 goals, 24 assists).
Defensively, junior goalkeeper Jesus Rendon has been rock solid, backed by an experienced backline.
With a trip to the Regional Final on the line, Kingwood Park and B.F. Terry will battle in what promises to be one of the most exciting matchups of the week. The action kicks off Thursday at 7:00 PM at Cy-Fair ISD’s Pridgeon Stadium.
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
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ROAD LESS TRAVELED: Kingwood Brown's rise to national recruit has been a journey
From moving across states to overcoming a major injury, Kingwood offensive lineman Kennedy Brown’s road to becoming one of the top players in the country has been anything but smooth. Yet, his perseverance and love for the game have turned every obstacle into motivation.
Brown’s football journey didn’t start like most top recruits. In fact, his first introduction to the game was purely by accident.
“So basically, when I was younger, I knew about football but hadn’t played yet,” Brown said with a laugh. “I had a friend come up to me and ask if I wanted to join his fantasy football team, and I thought it was actual football. So I went out and bought pads and everything!”
He eventually found his way onto the field in junior high while living in Indiana. But it wasn’t until his family moved back to Texas that his passion for football really took off.
“I really started playing in seventh grade in Indiana,” Brown said. “But when I moved back here for eighth grade, I just fell in love with the game. And as we all know, football is king in Texas. To be able to come back here and play was exciting.”
Brown’s potential was clear from an early age. Heading into his freshman year, he was already establishing himself as a force. But just as things were starting to take off, he hit his biggest hurdle—an ACL tear that sidelined him and almost ended his football dreams.
“I tore my ACL my freshman year, and that injury really set me back,” he said. “I was thinking a lot and got down on myself because I had all these standards and goals I wanted to accomplish, and suddenly it was out of my control. I didn’t even know if I wanted to play football anymore.”
But every setback has a comeback. For Brown, his sophomore season was exactly that.
He helped lead Kingwood to its first-ever regional final appearance, anchoring the offensive line and dominating opponents in the trenches. His standout play earned him national recognition as one of the top 10 offensive linemen in the country. Before long, scholarship offers started rolling in from powerhouse programs like Michigan, Notre Dame, Texas, Texas A&M, and USC.
For Brown, that first offer was a surreal moment.
“I just remember getting pulled into the coach’s office during athletic period, hopping on the phone, and getting the first offer,” Brown recalled. “I started jumping up and down, screaming and celebrating with my teammates. It’s a moment I’ve wanted since I first started playing.”
Humble ISD has produced its share of elite offensive linemen—Travis Swanson, Sam Cosmi, Kenyon Green, Kam Dewberry, and Kelvin Banks Jr., to name a few. Being mentioned alongside them is an honor Brown doesn’t take lightly, but he’s setting his sights even higher.
“It means the most to me to be brought up with those guys,” Brown said. “But my goal isn’t just to play college football or make it to the NFL. I want to be more than that—I want to be in the Hall of Fame. I’m not trying to be one of the guys who just makes it to the pros and does the bare minimum.”
As he gears up for his junior season, Brown is locked in on perfecting his craft. But when he’s not on the field or in the weight room, you’ll likely find him tending to his four fish tanks and three geckos.
“Whenever I was in Indiana, for my tenth birthday, I got a fish tank and some fish, and ever since then, I’ve just had a passion for taking care of them,” Brown said. “Now I have four pretty extensive tanks and three geckos. I think marine biology is something I might want to study in college—or maybe interior design.”
Regardless of which path he chooses off the field, there’s no question Kennedy Brown is making a name for himself on it.