Trinity, Bell boys soccer teams expect to compete for playoff berth

Trinity Trojans boys soccer coach Tracy Duren has seen a lot in his more than two decades at the helm of the program.

But one thing he saw last season confirms something about District 7-6A.

For the first time since 1998, the Haltom Buffalos reached the postseason.

“There is no easy game in this district,” Duren said. “I love the coach over at Haltom [Frank Cordova]. They got there on sheer hard work.

“Can we be competitive? Absolutely. But we’re going to have to do it in a district that has no off nights.”

The playoff drought for Duren and his Trojans isn’t nearly as long as the Buffs experienced. Still, he’d like to make their first appearance in the postseason since 2013.

The Trojans haven’t advanced past bi-district since 2002.

But with nine returning starters and 13 total returners, there is plenty of reason for optimism. After all, despite finishing 2-8-2 in district last season, they were in the playoff hunt until the final week.

“As rough a year as we had, we had a shot at it right at the end,” Duren said.

The players returning for the Trojans are senior midfielder Guillermo Cazares, senior forward Julio Andres, senior defender John Tompkins, junior defender Andrew Gansen, senior midfielder Omar Salgado, senior defender Javier Carreon, sophomore midfielder Mateo Gonzalez, sophomore defender Jardel Kuate, junior goalkeeper Josh Harris, junior midfielder Jaime Jaimes, senior midfielder Luis Dollar, sophomore forward Angel Lopez, and junior forward Robinson Mugisha.

Andres skipped his junior season with the Trojans to play for Solaris Academy, but Duren said his return was certainly welcome.

“He only got better when he went away,” he said.

Salgado was a first-team all-district selection last season, while Carreon and Tompkins were honorable mentions.

As for the district race, Duren said defending champion Coppell is the favorite again, with Southlake Carroll and Colleyville Heritage next in line.

But he does think the fourth spot is open for the taking, and he believes he knows how to get it.

“Just like last year, it’s cliche, but who works the hardest will get that,” he said.

“The team that buzzes around, makes their opponent think they’re playing with 20 players instead of 11, that’s the team. Work ethic will play a key role.”

L.d. Bell Blue Raiders

Like their cross-town rivals, the Blue Raiders are thinking this could be the year they return to the playoffs.

Not that it’s been that long (2013), but it seems like a long time to coach Scott Campbell.

“You’ve got to look at Southlake, Coppell, and Colleyville’s in the mix,” he said.

“As for the darkhorse, well, us. We definitely expect to be in the playoff mix.”

The Blue Raiders tied Trinity for fifth in district last season, also going 2-8-2. But six returning starters and 13 total returners has Campbell anxious to get this season started.

“This is the most depth since I’ve been at Bell,” said Campbell, who has been at the school since 2004. “I’m trying to move some of the guys around to make room for them.

“It’s an actual pleasure every morning. Practices are crisp. There’s no dropoff.”

Returning starters for the Blue Raiders are senior midfielder Eloy Alvarado, senior midfielder Flip Semo, senior midfielder Omar Santos, junior forward Dan Kamba, senior midfielder Brando Flores, and senior defender Tyler Dunlop.

Alvarado was a first-team all-district pick last season, while Semo was second team. Kamba, a midseason call-up from the junior varsity, earned honorable mention.

Also returning as lettermen are senior goalkeeper Joseph Millican, senior defender Chris Gutierrez, senior midfielder Jose Huerta, senior midfielder David Ayala, junior forward Faraja Senghor, senior defender Saiem Rashid, and junior forward Jeremy Ifasso, also a midseason call-up from the JV.

Several others from the JV could work their way onto the varsity this season, Campbell said, including junior forward Jonathan Rivera, junior center/midfielder Dominic Pulido, junior midfielder Richie Camacho and junior forward/midfielder Hector Huazano.

Campbell takes a unique approach to pre-district competition. He doesn’t enter his team in tournaments.

“I really like it,” he said. “We can get into the structure of Tuesday-Friday.

“I’ve never really liked the tournament format. Yes, you get to play a lot of games, but you burn through three weeks of games in one a short time, plus you run a greater risk of injuries.

“I really like how it’s worked out for us. The guys seem to like it also.”

But whatever teams do before league play, they had better get ready for a very tough district slate.

And one key to getting through and to the playoffs?

“Keep steady, consistent play,” Campbell said. “It would be wonderful to go undefeated, but if you win a game, you have to flush it. If you lose a game, you have to flush it.”

This story was originally published January 4, 2016 at 9:04 AM with the headline "Trinity, Bell boys soccer teams expect to compete for playoff berth."