Kingwood Park playing for 2020 seniors
Last year’s squad was undefeated when COVID-19 shut down season
The slogan this year for Kingwood Park has been “unfinished business.”
Last year, the Panthers were 20-0 before the COVID-19 pandemic ended high school athletics.
Fifteen seniors weren’t able to finish their season, and Kingwood Park has been playing for them every match this season.
“We had a great team, and to get it taken away from us was hard,” senior Gage Guerra said. “We thought we were going all the way. We’re doing it all for those guys who didn’t get to finish their seasons last year. The goal was to finish what they started. It has been a pushing factor for sure this year.”
Kingwood Park (26-2-2) will face Frisco Wakeland (23-1-1) in the Class 5A state title match at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Birkelbach Field in Georgetown.
Coach Ryan Searle, who’s in his seventh season at Kingwood Park, enjoys the familiar faces in the stands and the community support growing with every match.
“Our alumni have been at our games supporting us,” Searle said. “Last year’s team was unbelievable, and they know we’re playing for them. We know what we need to do to honor them. This team has been special, too, and we get our chance to end the season with a state title.”
Kingwood Park, the only Greater Houston area team at state, last was in the state final in 2010. The Panthers lost to Frisco Wakeland in penalty kicks, and now it’s a rematch.
Searle wasn’t the coach in 2010 — both teams have changed in the past 11 years.
Kingwood Park is making its second state final appearance and looking for its first soccer state title in school history.
“They have always been a talented team over the years,” Searle said. “They always have a unique style, they’re disciplined and they’re know their roles to do their jobs. They make very few mistakes, and we know they’re going to make it tough for us.”
The Panthers have four players who have doubledigit goals this season.
Guerra leads the team with 32, Jesus Cervantes and Jace Banning each have 28 goals and Nathan Jimerson has 27 goals.
“Once you hit the playoffs, the games are intense, and the atmospheres change up,” Guerra said. “The playoffs are another animal. We have been playing good these last couple of games, but we got tested against Valley View.”
Kingwood Park had outscored its opponents 37-10 in the playoffs before its semifinal against Pharr Valley View. The Panthers handled their first test against the Tigers after being down 3-1 in the first half.
Searle saw his team step up in a big moment, and the state final will be an even bigger stage.
“They’re showing what’s to be one of the top teams in the state,” Searle said. “When you get backed into a corner, you’re either going to fold or fight back. Our guys fought back, and we were able to get the win against Valley View. We have experienced that adversity and know what it’s like. It’s going to be a tough game against Wakeland, but the guys are ready for any challenge that we face. They want to do it for our team last year and the community. Now we just have to get on the field and do what we have done all year in the last game of the season.”