Coach Ramez Antoun enters year five at the helm of the Wimberley High School soccer team with a new assistant coach and only one returning captain, Gage Tumlinson.
Few statements better reflect his leadership with these young men than his actions observed at the end of Friday night’s tournament loss against Leander Glenn on Jan. 20. When it was suggested that he head home after a long two days of tournament play, Antoun countered, “I’m spending time with my family,” while taking a seat on the sideline bench up close to one of his dejected players.
Heading into the tournament, the Wimberley Texans’ record stood at 5-0-1. Strictly from a wins and losses standpoint, everything looks good.
“Digging deeper, we have some defensive lapses to work on. We graduated our entire back line and goalkeeper,” said Antoun. “We have younger players filling positions they’ve little experience with but they’re making progress everyday.”
Antoun uses pre-season play much like athletic director and head football coach Doug Warren. Playing better teams exposes problems to be addressed. One problem the team was not experiencing prior to the Texan Cup tournament was scoring. The front line put up 23 goals in their first seven games.
“We even left some goals out there,” remarked Antoun. “We’re looking to improve with every game.”
Antoun invited competitive teams from the area like Eastside Early College High School, Austin Achieve Public Schools, Glenn High School and last year’s district runner up Fredericksburg High School. Other teams rounding out the field of eight included a couple of 5A teams.
The Texans hit the pitch Thursday, Jan. 19, playing host to Floresville High School. The Tigers came into the tournament with a 3-1-2 record. Floresville matched up well against the Texans, exactly what Antoun was looking for in his invitation. The Texans took to the challenge, winning 3-0.
The Texans next faced Eastside on the morning of Friday, Jan. 20. The Panthers won their district last year and were knocked out of the 4A playoffs in the third round by eventual champion Boerne High School. Eastside is a strong team with a quick front line and a mid-field that pushes to keep the ball on the opponent’s end of the pitch. The Panthers led at the half 3-1 before adding another goal in the second to win 4-1.
Friday evening, the Texans took on Glenn. The Texans struggled, allowing two goals in the first half. They came out strong in the second half, but eventually fell 3-1 to the Bears.
Junior Nick Dunn shared his insights on the young Texan team: “We’ve shown grit. We’re battle-tested going into district which will make us a better team. If we play up to our standards, we can go a long way.”
According to Antoun, the district competition looks familiar.
“Boerne will compete. They are the two-time defending state champion,” he explained. “Fredericksburg has been runner up the past two years so our work is cut out for us. But our standing for the playoffs will be predicated on the rest of the district spots earned. We’re playing quality teams, and I think it sets us up for a good playoff run.”
Standing in the middle of his club’s huddle at the end of the Glenn match, Antoun spoke to his team with a tone of encouragement.
“We intentionally set you against good teams. Eastside is an excellent team,” he said. “You know this. Even after taking that loss earlier today, you came out tonight and showed you can battle. You’ve proven it. Y’all responded and should be proud of that effort.”
The Texans begin district play Friday, Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. at Canyon Lake High School before coming home to battle Fredericksburg on Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m.
