WHERE: Birkelbach Field -- Georgetown, TX
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WALNUT GROVE WILDCATS
To put Walnut Grove’s rapid ascension into perspective, the Wildcats haven’t lost a game since April 2, 2024—falling in the third round of the playoffs to Wakeland, during the program’s inaugural varsity season.
Since then, the momentum has only intensified. Following a 26-0-2 championship campaign a year ago, head coach Trent Kutch has guided his team to a flawless 30-0 record, most recently punctuated by a tension-filled 1–0 victory over El Paso Americas last Friday. If all goes according to plan, Walnut Grove could soon be celebrating back-to-back UIL 5A Division 1 state titles.
There’s little left to say about the remarkable prowess of midfielder Mason Kutch. The senior— a DePaul signee and reigning Gatorade Texas Boys Soccer Player of the Year—has more than earned the long list of accolades on his résumé.
This winter alone, Kutch has surpassed 50 goals, further cementing both his impact and consistency at the highest level.
However, Walnut Grove is far from a one-man operation. Senior goalkeeper Quinn Shelton—a 2025 TASCO First Team All-State selection—anchors the defense between the posts, while fellow senior Noah Toon adds stability along the backline.
Up front, sophomore Wheeler Clayton has flourished in an expanded role, building on the State Tournament MVP honors he earned last April.
COLLEGE STATION COUGARS
Entering the postseason with an 11-7-4 record, College Station had a solid foundation. Yet few could have predicted in March that the Cougars would win five consecutive games and ultimately earn a spot in Georgetown.
Defying the doubters, College Station (now 16-7-4) has shown that no opponent should be underestimated—least of all themselves—as the program makes its first-ever appearance in the UIL State Final.
Leading the charge for head coach Chad Peevey is sophomore standout Vicente Paredes, who has tallied a team-high 38 goals from the forward position. He is joined in the scoring column by fellow sophomores Khalid Alani (16 goals) and Tomas Dominguez (12).
In the midfield, junior Samuel He anchors the engine room, while Andres Martinez-Salazar (Jr. GK) provides steady poise in the penalty box.
