State title dreams: Diamond Hill-Jarvis sets golden standard for Fort Worth boys’ soccer
On the weekends, elementary and middle school kids rush to fields around Fort Worth Diamond Hill-Jarvis High School.
Local kids grow up striving to play football under the Friday lights, but most won’t be wearing helmets. One day, they could be key contributors to a Texas soccer powerhouse.
“With a lot of other school districts, soccer feels secondary to football,” Diamond Hill-Jarvis coach Kyle Reopelle said. “That Football will always be king in Texas. But (Fort Worth ISD) has supported us through and through.”
In the Fort Worth-area, Diamond Hill-Jarvis boys soccer is in a league of its own and sets the gold standard for excellence. The Eagles have won four consecutive district championships.
With a fantastic neighborhood pipeline for soccer talent, DHJ has turned into a consistent state championship contender. The local kids have elite chemistry, and most have been playing together since they were six years old.
The athletes who enter the ranks at DHJ have experience, camaraderie, and a strong work ethic, according to Reopelle.
“We don’t have to teach this team how to work hard,” Reopelle said. “Diamond-Hill is a very blue-collar community. They learn how to work hard from a young age. ... They’re not handed anything on a platter. They know that if they want to go do something, they can do it. But they’re going to have to go work for it.”
In 2021, DHJ made the state championship and fell to Boerne. In 2024, the Eagles were eliminated in the regional semifinals. The team has been a staple in the regional rounds and is still searching for its first state title.
“It’s just setting a standard,” Reopelle said of the success. “From there, you have leaders, and that builds a strong culture. It’s nothing secret. It’s just consistently putting in the hard work and making sure the players are committed and willing to get better.”
With a flurry of returning players, the Eagles had an opportunity to build directly off of last season’s accomplishments. They have an extremely experienced and mature squad with 19 seniors. Playing time for some talented upperclassmen is hard to come by, but Reopelle said it hasn’t been an issue.
“They understand that what they do helps the team,” Reopelle said. “They have a role to play in helping us achieve the final dream of success at Georgetown.”
To maximize their potential, the Eagles knew they needed to improve team fitness. Last year, the heat was a challenge in the playoffs. This year, the Eagles are prepared; every varsity member logged 200 miles with cross-country to prep for the season.
“If we need every starter to go all 80 minutes and even some overtime, they can do that,” Reopelle said. “The experience as well. I have a lot more confidence in guys coming off the bench this year as opposed to last year.”
One player Reopelle can rely on is senior forward Alejandro “Alex” Ibarra, DHJ’s all-time leading scorer and the 2024 Star-Telegram Player of the Year. He isn’t the biggest on the field, but he has generation speed, and he can hold off defenders and finish with both feet.
“He is very special. He has raised the bar,” Reopelle said. “When your most talented players work the hardest, that’s when you win championships. Our leaders, who have tons of talent and potential, also work the hardest.”
Another talented player is Edgar “Rooney” Resendiz, also a senior leader and the 2024 District 7-4A Midfielder of the Year. He has had a close look at Ibarra’s illustrious career and development.
“(Ibarra) puts in a lot of work,” Resendiz said. “I always see him playing and training. He’s just been giving it his all on and off the field.”
Other key contributors include seniors Joshua Montanez and Luis Lira, who bring solid scoring and playmaking. Another stellar player is goalkeeper Reyes Medina, a team captain. So far, the group has continued DHJ’s reputation of dominance; in the Eagles’ first five district games, they’ve outscored opponents 24-2.
The three pillars of Diamond Hill-Jarvis soccer
Coach Reopelle talks about three program pillars: Respect. Commit. Compete.
The Eagles aim to respect themselves, classmates, teachers, officials and opposing teams, commit the time, work and effort to succeed, and compete with a burning desire to win.
“Everyone loves the sport, so everyone gives it like they’re all,” Ibarra said. “Especially with the coaches here, supporting us like they have. It’s amazing support, and it helps us become better versions of ourselves.”
Ultimately, Reopelle wants to instill the pillars in his athletes so that they can carry them over to other aspects of their lives.
“If they can carry that into the workforce, whatever career or college, they’ll continue to be successful off the field,” Reopelle said. “We want to have these young boys turn into men and be successful in all areas of life.”
Diamond Hill-Jarvis (11-2, 5-0) has had a strong start to the season and is undefeated in District 7-4A play. They have goals to make it to the state championships in Georgetown but will continue to focus on “one game at a time.”
A team from the Fort Worth-area hasn’t won a state championship since Byron Nelson’s 4A title in 2014. The Eagles have an opportunity to change that, and they’re doing it within the Fort Worth city limits while representing Fort Worth ISD.
Reopelle said the team takes pride in representing Fort Worth and the DHJ community. A long season is ahead, but players understand they are part of a group with the potential to accomplish something special for their community.
“We have a lot of family here,” Ibarra said. “We want to make (Diamond Hill-Jarivs) stand out more. We want to put us on the map. Make Diamond Hill known.”
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