Round Rock’s Alex Isaacson jumps to control the ball during the 2026 high school boys soccer season.
Henry Huey/Special to American-Statesman
The Texas high school boys soccer playoffs are here. UIL teams across the state can start postseason play as early as Thursday, and all have the goal to reach Georgetown for the state championship game.
Who in Central Texas has a chance to excel? The American-Statesman takes a look at seven teams from multiple levels and 17 players covering all positions who could thrive this postseason. From Class 6A powerhouses to upstart 4A teams to some of the top players from 5A schools that may fly under the radar, here’s who to keep an eye on as the soccer version of March Madness gets underway.
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(Teams and players listed in alphabetical order.)
Central Texas teams to watch
Hendrickson
Impressive in winning a tough District 23-5A, the Hawks (13-7-3) have one of the area’s better midfielders in Mateo Palma. Yul Kim is a wall in goal, while Jaden Musgrove leads the attack at forward. Elyjuh Martinez is a versatile talent who can play multiple positions in the midfield.
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LASA
The Raptors (14-4-2) won District 24-5A for their fourth straight district title and are a threat to make a run in Division II. Seniors Kiran Kini (17 goals, three assists) and Kieran Tower (15 goals, five assists) give the Raptors a dangerous attacking duo, while goalies Marco Vidal and Eamon Griffin have combined for 11 shutouts.
Northeast
Winning District 25-4A, the Raiders (16-4-3) will be a threat to go deep in Division I. Coach Kyle Olson has an experienced squad led by striker Kevin Guiterrez (17 goals), goalie Alex Garcia (nine shutouts) and midfielder Joseth Perez (17 assists). Midfielder David Hernandez is one of the area’s better sophomores and combines with Perez to give Northeast a dangerous middle.
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Rouse
Perhaps the area’s surprise team of the regular season, the Raiders (17-3-3) won a tough District 25-5A. Goalie Grant Simmons has 15 shutouts and allowed only eight goals, while striker Conner Courville (11 goals, four assists) and midfielder Connor Clanton lead the attack. Andres Kippar paces a backline that has, at times, been dominant.
Vandegrift
The defending Class 6A Division II state champions will be a threat again, especially if they get by a good Bowie team in the bidistrict round. Luke Hawley (17 goals, seven assists) and Grant Teodecki (13 assists) pace the Vandegrift offense, which has received a recent boost with the return of forward Alex Killmar from injury. Ryder Atwood is a phenomenal defender who also is a big contributor in the attack with nine goals and four assists. The Vipers (14-4-4) finished second in District 25-6A.
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Westlake
The Chaps (19-1-3) were the area’s best team in the regular season and had a perfect 12-0 mark in winning District 26-6A. Senior midfielders Max Sauceda, Dylan Holm, Adam Hollander and Alex Tirado control the game flow for Westlake. Forward Mateo Gorman tallied 17 goals in district play.
Westwood
The Warriors (17-3-2) won a brutal nine-team District 25-6A. Forwards Kaz Seyhoon and Rodrigo Garcia combine with midfielders Jack Cox and Valentin Lobos for a wildly talented attack, while Ishaan Saini paces the backline.
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Players to watch
(Note: Players cannot be from a team listed above.)
Jack Andre, Bowie: Though he leads a strong Bowie defense, the senior is also a threat on offense with seven goals and five assists in the regular season.
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Yair Ayala Panchi, Austin Achieve: A dangerous attacking midfielder, the senior is a great passer who also has five goals.
Aiden Bailey, Vista Ridge: Paces the Rangers offense with nine goals and six assists.
Bryan Bautista, East View: Part of a talented Patriots team that is 13-3-6, the senior winger has eight goals and seven assists.
David Candia Martinez, Liberty Hill: Key a year ago when the Panthers won Class 5A Division II, he has 13 goals and four assists heading into the playoffs.
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Ali Dadashazar, Vista Ridge: Controls the midfield for the Rangers, who qualified for the playoffs after losing nearly their entire starting lineup from a year ago.
Alex Isaacson, Round Rock: The senior midfielder does it all for the Dragons. With 11 goals and eight assists, he’s a constant threat to opposing defenses.
Liam Kalutkiewicz, Bowie: If the Bulldogs make a run, the senior goalie will be a reason why. A multi-year varsity starter, he’ll keep Bowie in any match.
Gavin Latasm, Connally: Controls the middle of the field for a Cougars team that could go a few rounds deep in Class 5A Division II.
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Keylan Mandeville, Round Rock: With 12 goals and three assists, the senior is dangerous up top and part of a talented Dragons attack.
Daniel Miranda, Austin Achieve: With a high soccer intellect, the senior forward is key for the Polar Bears in their buildup.
Joshuan Paredes, East View: A midfielder who excels defensively and marks the opponent’s top threat, the senior is also key in possession.
Dax Popelka, Anderson: Lethal in the attack, the junior paces the Trojans with 14 goals and six assists.
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Diego Ramirez, Elgin: Led the Wildcats with 16 goals to help Elgin to its first playoff appearance in more than a decade.
Alan Reynaga, McCallum: Exceptional on the wing, the junior leads the Knights with 15 goals.
Brandon Reynaga, McCallum: Twin to Alex, he’s talented enough to play and excel anywhere on the backline.
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Ray Rodriguez, Anderson: The crafty midfielder is key to the Trojans’ offense and has 12 goal contributions.
Carlos Tolentino, Connally: Leads the backline for a Cougars program that perennially makes the playoffs.