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By Rey Sifuentes Jr.
Headed into its game against Laredo United on Friday, Eagle Pass High School’s varsity girls soccer team was 1-2 in its first three District 29-5A games.
The Lady Eagles lost to Laredo LBJ 7-1 on Tuesday, February 12.
“The game started out well for us as we kept the ball on their side of the field for the first 20-25 minutes,” Head Coach Hugo Garcia said. “Marcy Mares was able to chip the ball over LBJ’s defense which Jenell Perez picked up before fighting off two defenders and then rocketed a shot which scored to give us a 1-0 lead.”
EPHS stayed persistent in its attack.
“Mares continued to pressure LBJ, while Nataly Ramirez and Vero Riojas continued pushing the ball up,” Garcia said. “Karen Herrera was able to do her thing on the outside.
With a minute left before halftime, LBJ scored and both teams went into the intermission tied 1-1.
“We came out strong during the first seven minutes of the second half,” Garcia said. “But then the wheels came off as LBJ was able to score six unanswered goals and earned a well deserved win.”
Eagle Pass was blanked by Laredo United South 3-0 on Friday, February 8. Garcia said that his team’s concentration was an issue.
“It was a nice day to play but we didn't start focused and turned over the ball deep on our own side and that led to United South scoring its first goal,” Garcia said. “Then we fouled them deep on our side and they cashed in a direct kick to score again and take a 2-0 lead during the first eight minutes of the game.”
The Lady Eagles then clamped down defensively. Garcia made a few adjustments before halftime - putting Nataly Ramirez back on defense. Cecy Contreras and Vero Riojas got some things going in the middle of the field.
United South would score once more later on through another direct kick.
Eagle Pass won its first conference match on Tuesday (February 5), getting past Laredo Alexander 5-3.
Scoring goals for the Lady Eagles were Marcy Mares, Jenell Perez, Nataly Ramirez, Karen Herrera, and Mirella Hernandez.
The Lady Eagles varsity and junior varsity soccer teams are OPEN on Tuesday. Both teams host Del Rio at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Friday.
By Rey Sifuentes Jr. (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
The Lady Eagles have a few hurdles in front of them as they begin chasing their fifth consecutive District 29-5A title this season.
Eagle Pass is coming off of an extraordinary 2012 season in which it went undefeated in conference play, pocketed a fourth straight 29-5A crown, and went three rounds deep during the playoffs.
A.D. Ibarra
-Mission, TX
The CC Winn Lady Mavericks are back on the diamond this season with two early non-district tilts, one with Laredo Nixon who they managed to handle well, coming out on top 18-7.
The Lady Mavs traveled to Mission and Bentsen Palm Community Park on a cold and chilly evening to take on the Brownsville Pace Vikings.
Amberly Garza gave up only three hits, but five walks and five defensive errors made it easier for the Vikings to rack up the runs in the first and second innings. Garza settled down and so did the Maverick defense who were able to stifle the Pace attack, but were unable to generate enough offense to mount any kind of a comeback.
Pace left six on and the Lady Mavericks left four runners on base.
Rosemary Hernandez and Alyssa Lopez were 1 for 2 for the Silver & Black while Natalie Garcia went 1 for 3. Garza aided her cause with one hit in two at bats.
The Lady Mavericks scored their lone run in the first inning on the spikes of Rosemary Hernandez. Ariana Ruiz, who has traded in her basketball shoes and is now a threat on the basepaths to steal bases as opposed to errant passes on the court, is back at her shortstop position as well as Caridad Garcia who is another multiple-sport athlete at Winn.
The Lady Mavericks came away with a convincing 12-0 victory over the Brownsville Rivera Raiders at the Mission Fastpitch Festival on Friday.
Brittany Perez delivered a gem allowing only one hit and one strikeout and the Lady Raiders committed three big errors in the loss.
Natalie Garcia went 1 for 2 with two runs scored. Sophomore Ari Ruiz went 1 for 4, but scored three and brought in one. Giselle Cerda also scored three times. Alyssa Lopez had ones across the board going 1 for 1 with a run scored and one RBI and Karla Lopez went 1 for 1 with one run scored.
The Lady Mavericks also squared off with McAllen Memorial, but results were not available at press time.
The Lady Mavs take on the Kennedy Rockets at the EPISD Sports Complex on Tuesday.
A.D. Ibarra
-Austin, TX
When one goes off to college, people who have been there always say, 'You're mother's not going to be there to wake you up,' or, 'If you don't show up to class, nobody's going to make you go, not even the professor.'
It's a drastic change that a first year college student goes through when the covers begin to get warmer every morning before that 8 o'clock class.
At the University of Texas, there's someone working out every day at 5:30 in the morning straight through 8:00 A.M. at a time where champions are born. That someone is CC Winn's very own Frank Lopez.
Lopez, in an exclusive interview with The Eagle Pass News Gram, let us know just what it takes to walk on to one of the premier college football programs in the nation.
"Everyday I say to my self, I'm going to give it all I have because day after day, I'm one step closer to making the football team at my dream school," he said of having to report to the Longhorns' training facility every morning before going to class.
Lopez is in his first year of a UT mathematics Bachelor's Degree program and he has been working with Coaches Collin Toller and Major Applewhite, "It's mostly conditioning at first," said the 6" 1' 230 Lb. All-District tackle who has been working on his deep snapping skills in hopes of making the traveling squad this season.
"First they see your film and video reels, there are many pre-requisites you need to have before you can even think of walking on."
Lopez said on the first day he was called, there were ten possible walk ons, five of which were cut right there and then for academic reasons. The five left were addressed by Longhorn Coach Kenneth Rucker who told them, "You're here for a reason, so make it count."
"Only so many make the traveling squad, and walk-ons and red shirts all dress up for home games."
He has been under the direct supervision of former Longhorn Marcus Tubbs ('05).
"If you have an 8:00 A.M. class, they let you leave a little before eight, if you don't, you can stay to lift or workout on your own."
The great Mia Hamm once said, "Champions are made when no one's looking," and in Frank's case, he's making the best of this opportunity and sticking to the program and has been adhering to the work ethic he learned at CC Winn High School in Eagle Pass.
"I want t thank my parents, my teammates and coaches, Coach Ruiz, Coach Varela, Coach Jimenez and all the coaching staff," said the standout who as part of one of the best offensive lines ever at Winn HIgh, one which helped catapult EP's All-Time leading rusher, Luvin De Leon to 1st Team District 29-AAAAA status, "I may not be a starter at first, but I am one step closer.
The News Gram salutes the former Silver & Black Attack star, his family and his parents Maria and Rodolfo Lopez. Godspeed and God bless, Frank, and keep carrying the name of CC Winn HS to greater heights. Mavericks Assemble!
Rey Sifuentes Jr.
-Eagle Pass
A couple of Eagle Pass High School 1990’s graduates are among the list of candidates to be interviewed, on Monday, by Eagle Pass Independent School District, for the position of head football coach at C.C. Winn High School. One of them is Eric Z. Villasenor who is the current football offensive coordinator for Eagle Pass High School. Villasenor is a coach with 12 years of experience. He recently completed his seventh season as the Eagles’ OC. His career started in 2001 where his first job was at La Joya High School. Villasenor (a 1996 graduate of EPHS) said he was brought onboard to EPISD in 2003 by current Athletic Director Edward V. Graf. After spending two years with EPHS (when it was a ninth and tenth grade campus in 2003-2004), Villasenor coached at C.C. Winn (eleventh and twelfth grade campus) in 2005. EPHS and CCWN were split into separate high school campuses in 2006 and Villasenor was assigned to EPHS where he has been ever since. Asked what motivated him to apply for the CCWN head football job, Villasenor’s response was a simple one. “I believe that the C.C. Winn community is very enthusiastic,” Villasenor said. “CCWN has a lot of pride instilled in itself. The opportunity came up to apply for the CCWN head football coach position, and it just felt right. I have spoken with people around the community who always speak kindly of not only CCWN’s athletes, but also their teachers, administrators and staff –which made the job very attractive.” Rather than worry about the level of competition he is up against, Villasenor is instead polishing up his presentation for his interview on Monday. “You cannot worry about who else has applied,” Villasenor said. “You just need to be yourself, explain to the hiring committee why you are the right person for the job and approach it like you would a game. You have to prepare, have the right mind set going in and focus on coming out with the victory.” If hired, the CCWN post would be Villasenor’s first as a head football coach - a challenge he gladly welcomes. “Coming from a coordinator’s position, I would be in charge of more coaches and kids,” Villasenor said. “As a head coach, now you are in charge of an entire staff, and about 200-250 kids starting from the seventh grade and all the way up to the high school varsity level. But those are all responsibilities that I am willing to take on if given the opportunity.” Paul Leslie Beattie (a 1992 graduate of EPHS) is another one of the aspirants being interviewed on Monday. Beattie is currently the secondary coach for John B. Connally High School in Pflugerville. Beginning his career in 1999, Beattie has also coached at Galveston Ball, Austin LBJ, Austin Johnston, Austin Travis, and Desoto before arriving to Connally. “The truth is that I jumped at the chance to come home,” Beattie said. “I have always felt that being from Eagle Pass, the community did a lot for me while I was growing up. A lot of my teachers took the time to help me get through school. And I always felt that if I ever got a chance to come back and give something to the community, that I would. This is my opportunity.” Beattie is also familiar with Villasenor. “I love Eric like a brother,” Beattie said. “I am close to his family. Eric and I hung out and grew up together, so you look forward to the competition, but you just wish it was not against someone you respect so much.” This would be Beattie’s first head football coaching job. “This is a job that I truly want,” Beattie said. “Being exposed to so many things having coached at so many different areas in Texas, I would love the opportunity to bring back that knowledge to the athletes of CCWN.” Also applying for the CCWN job were Ross E. Moore, Lamar Rodriguez Jr., John Torres, Jesus A. Villasenor, Richard R. Alaniz, Albert L. Byrom, Cesar De Los Santos, and Mark A. De Hoyos. EPISD’s eventual hire will replace George Ruiz who led the Mavericks during the last four seasons. Ruiz was only the second coach to ever lead the Mavericks in their seven-years of existence. David Charles was CCWN’s head coach during the previous three years. (Rey Sifuentes Jr. is the sports editor of the Mount Pleasant Daily Tribune which is located in East Texas. He is also a 1992 graduate of Eagles Pass High School. Sifuentes can be reached on Facebook and at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . You can also follow him through Twitter at @sportspirate.)
By Rey Sifuentes Jr.
Eagle Pass High School’s current offensive coordinator is one of ten candidates who recently submitted their application for the position of head football coach of C.C. Winn.
The ten candidates consist of EPHS offensive coordinator Eric Z. Villasenor, Paul Leslie Beattie (secondary coach with John B. Conally High School), Richard R. Alaniz, Albert L. Byrom, Cesar De Los Santos, Mark A. De Hoyos, Ross E. Moore, Lamar Rodriguez Jr., John Torres, and Jesus A. Villasenor
Eagle Pass Independent School District ceased accepting applications on Monday afternoon. Jesus Arturo Costilla (who is the executive director of human resources for EPISD) on Wednesday morning said that interviews would begin on Monday, February 4. Costilla also said the committee will possibly have a finalist ready for the district to present to school trustees at EPISD’s next board meeting on February 12.
Whoever is hired to lead the Mavericks football program will take over for George Ruiz who was reassigned on January 8.
Ruiz was CCWN’s head coach for four seasons in which his teams went a combined 9-31.
Athletic Director Edward V. Graf affirmed Ruiz’s reassignment on January 9, but did not provide a reason, instead saying that the decision had come from Superintendent Gilberto Gonzalez. Gonzalez was out of his office on Wednesday (January 30) and unavailable for comment.
Graf also stated that Ruiz was not coaching any sport at this time, and that the department would attempt to begin accepting applications for his replacement.
C.C. Winn’s football program, which began in 2006, was previously led by David Charles during its first three seasons before Ruiz was brought aboard.
(Rey Sifuentes Jr. is the sports editor of the Mount Pleasant Daily Tribune which is located in East Texas. He is also a 1992 graduate of Eagles Pass High School. Sifuentes can be reached on Facebook and at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . You can also follow him through Twitter at @sportspirate.)
A.D. Ibarra
-Eagle Pass
Coach Neto Reyes' Eagle Pass Eagles were at the EPISD Sports Complex Gymnasium on Tuesday to d battle with the Laredo Alexander Bulldogs in what a very close and highly entertaining affair early as the two squads contested every ball, pass and shot.
The game was 27-17 with 2:11 remaining in the second quarter when errant passes and turnovers began to rear their ugly head against a team which sits atop of District 29-AAAAA and who play a stifling, in-your-face style of defense which can be scored on, but which is merciless to mistakes.
RJ Ruiz found out how officials were going to call this game when he was called for a questionable charge with 1:40 remaining in the half. Then an inside pass to Nowlin Wilson, a 6' plus inside player with good ball handling skills got a nice pass inside and scored making it 29-17.
Ty Chisum responded with a coast to coast layup to make it 29-19, then he made a nice pass to David Even to make it 29-21 and he tried to attack the basket with seconds left on the clock, but the Bulldogs were nursing a 31-21 lead at the break.
"They were playing well and staying with us and breaking our press," said Luis Valdez, Bulldog Head Coach, "We just can't back down."
"We needed to keep being strong with the ball," said Reyes, "Take care of it and stick to fundamentals."
The Bulldogs began to pull away in the third quarter opening up a 59-34 lead.
In the end the Dogs ran away with a 72-54 victory.
Ty Chisum and Johhny Garza led the Eagles with 10 points each. Fabian Peña and David Even had five at the break and contributed more in the second half.
Johnny Moreno, Wilson and Danny Benavides led the way for Alexander
The Eagles take on United South tomorrow in Laredo.
A.D. Ibarra
-Eagle Pass
Sophia Gomez made three of four free throws down the stretch to give the Eagle Pass Lady Eagles a razor sharp 37-36 victory over the CC Winn Lady Mavericks on Friday evening at the EPISD Sports Complex Gymnasium.
The Lady Mavs blew a 19 point-lead while Eagle Pass continued to pressure Winn as rookie Head Coach Enrique Pang was unable to make the adjustments to keep from getting that elusive third District 29-AAAAA win in a race for the first playoff run in school history.
Briana Carreon also contributed to the Eagle win with gritty, persistent defense all night and Lady Maverick Ari Ruiz dropped 16 points despite being double-teamed most of the game, but it was a little too little, a little too late for Pang's Lady Mavericks who fell to 2-4 in district play despite being up early.
Nelly Cedillo and Stephanie Gonzalez contributed for the Silver and Black with tough boards on both ends of the floor, Gonzalez showing incredible leaping ability and Cedillo driving in hard with some tough inside points in a very close game which was not for the faint of heart and left many Maverick faithful very disappointed.
The Lady Eagles travel to Laredo to take on Alexander on Tuesday and the Lady Mavericks are at home against the Queens of Del Rio at the EPISD Sports Complex Gymnasium.
A.D. Ibarra
-Eagle Pass
When the Eagle Pass Eagles and the CC Winn Mavericks laced them up on Friday, both teams were coming off tough losses on Tuesday, the Eagles against a scrappy Del Rio squad and the Mavs against a formidable United Longhorns team.
What many may not have known was that Maverick point guard Cristian Paredes had suffered a freak injury last week against LBJ on the road and had not been expected to play in this highly anticipated matchup, but play he did, accounting for 29 of Winn's 56 points in a hard fought game which was witnessed by nearly 3,000 Eagle Pass basketball fans at the EPISD Sports Complex Gymnasium on Friday night.
Paredes did all he could muster with his ailing right ankle, penetrating the Eagle Pass zone defense along with teammates Martin Cazares and Chris Cantú trying to keep the Eagles at bay, but it just wasn't enough on this night as the Eagles had an overall team effort to best the Silver and Black 61-56 behind another double-double by standout post player Johnny Garza.
"Pain is temporary, pride is forever," stated Paredes after the game, "I went out there and gave it my best."
While Paredes contributed by driving into the Eagle defense, scoring leader Rogelio Roque and Adrian Jimenez were cold from the outside compounding the offensive woes for the Mavericks and it took Paredes' cross-over dribbles and overall athletic ability to create scoring opportunities with high percentage shots from the field.
The Mavericks were down by eleven early 17-6, but they managed to whittle the Eagle lead down to two by the half 37-35. A combination of three-quarter and half-court presses kept the game close and the Mavericks reeling.
"Martin and Chris had great games, offensively and on the boards," added Paredes.
Johnny Garza had 18 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Ty Chisum had 13 points nine boards and three assists and was called upon to guard Paredes. RJ Ruiz had 10 points, nine assists and four steals.
Raul Perez, Fabian Peña and Deshawn Franklin combined for 20 points and 12 rebounds in Eagle Pass' big victory.
"We're within our goal and will continue to work hard," commented Eagle Pass Head Coach Ernesto Reyes.
The Eagles take on Laredo Alexander on Tuesday here and the Mavericks travel to Del Rio to face the Rams.
A.D. Ibarra
-Boerne, TX
The Eagle Pass Eagles took advantage of the holiday break to get some playing time in at a major basketball tournament in Boerne on Thursday and Friday.
In the initial game of the tournament, the Eagles squared-off with the Boerne Champion Chargers in what was a highly competitive game between two formidable foes. Champion, of course, is a premier player in a very strong AAAA district which includes Boerne, Fredricksburgh, Medina Valley, Kerrville Tivy and Alamo Heights.
