Wolverines make amends, win title at Bulldogs’ expense
GEORGETOWN — Andy Holt wasn’t there, but he knows the emotion Frisco Wakeland carried into and throughout the 2017 season.
After 14 years at Sulpher Springs, Holt left to take over the Wolverines, who sent off longtime coach Rusty Oglesby with a trip to the Class 5A championship game last year. Wakeland came up short that day, losing in a shootout that went 10 rounds.
Wakeland returned to state and finished the job in 2017 at the expense of Waller gunning to complete its own fairy-tale ending. After more than 60 minutes of scoreless play, Wakeland netted two goals within eight minutes, beating the Bulldogs 2-0 for the title Saturday at Birkelbach Field.
“It feels great to get a little redemption back,” Holt said. “I know (for) the boys, it’s been on their minds all season and all offseason, and for us to be able to be here and be able to do what we did is a testament to those kids and the hard work they put in.”
Standoff for 60 minutes
Being the new guy may have helped Wakeland, Holt added. There was no need to relive the shootout loss of a year ago, the program’s second at state in three years.
“That probably helped a little bit because we didn’t dwell on it,” Holt said. “It wasn’t something we talked about all the time. We just talked about having an opportunity to get back here and see what happens.”
Waller (22-6-3) now takes the sadness of coming up short into the offseason and 2018. The Bulldogs kept a Wakeland offense that tallied six goals in the semifinals and averaged four per game in the playoffs at bay for 60 minutes.
This despite the Wolverines getting plenty of opportunities (14 total shots and eight corner kicks). Waller goalkeeper Raul Rodriguez finished with five saves.
“They had a great defense, (and) the keeper played extremely well,” Holt said. “They made it very tough on us all day.”
Wakeland (22-4-1) finally broke midway through the second half. The Wolverines pushed forward and David Esch found Manny Diaz DeLeon, who had open space 20 yards out. The sophomore ripped a shot to the upper right-hand corner, putting the Wolverines up in the 62nd minute.
“We just played a strong team, physically strong, with good technique,” Waller coach Juan Saldana said. “We tried to play our game. It just couldn’t happen today.” Bold prediction for ’18 Cody Sedatole made it 2-0 eight minutes later, scoring his second goal of the tournament to earn him the Most Valuable Player award.
Wakeland’s celebration started soon after, while Waller mixed tears of sadness with hopeful optimism after reaching state for the first time. The Bulldogs started five juniors and two sophomores.
“We’re going to win state next year,” said Rodriguez, who made it a point to share a few words with every non senior after the game. “We have a great group of guys (coming back), and we left a legacy. This pain is temporary, but we’re looking for the joy ahead and next year I think we’re going to win state.”