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Whataburger Team of the Week: Klein Cain Soccer captures school's first-ever UIL Championship
The Hurricanes (23-2-3) reached the final after a thrilling semifinal win over Plano West, advancing through a penalty shootout (7-6) following a hard-fought 1-1 draw. That victory extended Cain’s remarkable debut run in the State Tournament and set the stage for a tense showdown with Elsik.
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
Both teams struggled to break through during regulation, locked at 0-0 after 80 minutes. But with less than two minutes remaining in the first half of extra time, junior forward Parker Glenn delivered the moment of the match.
Finding space in the final third, Glenn buried the deciding goal to give Cain a 1-0 lead — and ultimately, a championship.
“It’s a feeling I can’t even begin to describe,” said Glenn, who was named the UIL 6A-Division I State MVP. “It’s unimaginable to know that this is the game that proved we’re the best team in the state of Texas — in the biggest division. I didn’t even dream of accomplishing something like this at the beginning of the season, and now we’re here.”
Junior Parker Glenn being presented with the 2025 UIL 6A-D1 State MVP AwardMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
Cain’s championship wasn’t built on a single performance. Alongside Glenn, junior goalkeeper Donato Farina, senior forward Andre Popa, and junior defender Daniel Celis were named to the All-Tournament Team, representing the balance and strength throughout the Hurricanes' lineup.
Despite being a relatively young program, head coach Jerson Carrasco has built a standard rooted in discipline and belief — and this year’s squad brought that vision to life.
KC Head Coach Jerson CarrascoMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
“The kids are the ones who put in the work,” Carrasco said. “The buy-in to the culture has been amazing from the start. Once I got here, I told them we’d consistently work on our craft and the results will come. Now, here we are as State Champs, and I just feel blessed to be with this program and to have these kinds of kids. It’s been awesome.”
With their championship secured and new precedent established, the Hurricanes now stand as a model of team culture can accomplish — earning their spot as the Whataburger Team of the Week.
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
EXTRA TIME: Previewing the 2025 UIL Soccer State Finals--Alief Elsik v. Klein Cain (Boys 6A-D1)
In Saturday's 6A-Division I state championship, two Houston-area teams—Alief Elsik and Klein Cain—will square off in a matchup that has taken many by surprise.
Some of the stars of 2024-25 Alief Elsik SoccerDoug Brown (VYPE)
Alief Elsik enters the final on the heels of two monumental victories last week.
First, the Rams knocked off back-to-back 6A champions Seven Lakes with a dominant 5-1 performance. They followed that with a crucial 1-0 win over Vista Ridge on Friday, securing a spot in the championship and earning Whataburger Team of the Week honors.
With a 24-2 record heading into the final, Elsik has proven to be a force to be reckoned with.
Head Coach Vincenco Cox and his squad have demonstrated impressive cohesion at every phase of the game.
Defensively, senior defenders Chris Guillen and Michael Ochoche-Ochoche have anchored a shutdown back line, while the midfield and attack have been driven by the talents of Jacob Ordonez, Asa Marsh, and Jhon Marulanda-Morena, all seniors.
Last week’s Semifinal marked Elsik's fourth appearance at the State Tournament, with their last trip coming in 2019. The Rams will be hungry to add another state title to their 2018 victory, when they defeated San Antonio Reagan 1-0.
On the other side, Klein Cain is riding a wave of unprecedented success.
2024-25 Klein Cain SoccerJamey Wright (VYPE)
The Hurricanes are making their first-ever appearance in the State Final since the school opened in 2017.
They punched their ticket to the championship with a dramatic 7-6 penalty shootout victory over Plano West after a 1-1 draw in Friday’s Semifinal. Prior to that, Klein Cain secured a 1-0 win over Bridgeland in the Region II-6A-D1 Final.
With a 23-2-3 record, Coach Jerson Carrasco and co. are looking to cap off a historic season with a state title.
Offensively, look for senior forward Andre Popa and junior forward Parker Glenn to put pressure on Elsik's defense, while captains Evan Messina (senior defender) and Daniel Celis (junior defender) will lead the charge against the Rams' equally potent attack.
At 6:30 PM on Saturday, these two H-Town heavyweights will clash at Birkelbach Field in a battle for the 6A-Division I crown.