Writer's Note: This is the first in a series of articles highlighting The Monitor's boys soccer all-area award winners. The monitor's coverage area ranges from Mercedes to Roma. Check back throughout this week as we announce other Upper Valley honorees. Be sure to pick up Saturday's newspaper for a complete list of all area winners.
This season, three RGV teams advanced to regional finals in their respective classes, two of which were in Hidalgo County.
The Edinburg North Cougars (Class 6A) and Progreso Red Ants (Class 4A) each reached the fifth round of the playoffs last season, tied with Brownsville Lopez for furthest of any UIL men's soccer team in 2024. I got it.
The two programs were headed by Edinburg North's Elias Moran and Progreso's Damian Magallan.
Magalan and Moran were named The Monitor's All-Area Boys Soccer Coaches of the Year.
“First of all, I would like to thank my family for their love and emotional support during the most difficult period of my career,” Moran said. “I am deeply honored to receive this prestigious award. I am grateful to everyone who has supported me throughout my career.”
“First and foremost, I am grateful to the people of Progreso for the opportunity they have given me,” Magallan said. “They showed confidence in me and gave me a chance to play. We worked hard and this season was a dream season for each of us. I am satisfied with that.”
Moran's journey with the Cougars extends far beyond his time as head coach, as he spent prep time as a member of Edinburg North's teams from 1999-2002, including the 2001 district championship season. .
His coaching career with the Cougars began a little more than a decade later, when he took over in 2013. Since then, Moran has helped establish Edinburg North as one of RGV's most consistent football programs, qualifying for the postseason every year except his first season.
“I feel very fortunate to work at Edinburg North,” Moran said. “Leading this team has always been my biggest dream in life. My love for this school's shield and colors is what motivates me to inspire these young men to be disciplined and fight for themselves. “I believe that I am.'' I dream every day. ”
This season proved to be Moran's best season yet, winning his third district title as the Cougars' head coach and leading the team to the Region IV-6A finals for the first time since 2017.
The Cougars have played in the playoffs against San Benito (4-1), San Antonio Jay (3-1), Edinburg Economides (4-1) and San Antonio Johnson (2-0). ) finished the year with 16 wins and 7 losses. before losing in the fifth round to Class 6A state semifinalist Austin Vandergrift.
“This recognition not only represents the intangible work we do as a team on and off the field every day, but it also represents the dedication and hard work of our soccer boys and our amazing coaching staff,” Moran said. Told. “The success we achieved together would not have been possible without their valuable contributions and dedication. We are very grateful to them.”
At Progreso, Magallan burst onto the scene this offseason, transferring from Valley View after 15 years with the program.
Magalan's first year with the Red Ants was far from a rebuilding project, as he led Progreso to a 14-0-0 record and a 31-4 crown.
The Red Ants have dominated on the field nearly every time they have taken the field, outscoring their opponents 157-19 this year, including 91-5 in district play.
“Imagine working at Valley View for 15 years and taking it to the highest level, and then coming to Progreso, which is a much smaller school,” Magallan said. “It wasn't like me. But you still get close to the kids and work with them every day. To have the opportunity to work with these kids and have the season that we had,” he said. What else would you want if you could?”
Progreso's dominance continued into the early rounds of the playoffs, outscoring its first four opponents 19-3 on its way to the Region IV-4A finals.
However, the Red Ants' march came to a halt in the fifth round, when they lost 1-0 to eventual state runner-up Boerne, despite missing four starting pitchers.
Progreso finished the season with an overall record of 27-1-2, with its only loss coming in the final game of the year to the Greyhounds.
But the Red Ants are just getting started, with nearly all of the team's starters scheduled to return next year.
“It was a dream season,” Magallan said. “We missed some opportunities, we missed some good fortune, but whatever you want to call it, we talked about the future with the kids. This season is no longer in our hands. But , I said once I got there, this is a four-year project. We're going to continue to push harder to achieve the goals we set from year one. I want to get it.”
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