At most schools, soccer doesn't usually generate the same type of excitement as football.
But Spring Woods head boys soccer coach Wadey Yayabegs to differ. Yaya predicts plenty of buzz when his Tigers host their Spring Branch Independent School District neighbor Northbrook at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, in the District 42-4A opener.
"People may not know it, but Spring Woods-Northbrook is one of biggest rivalries out there," Yaya said. "The schools are probably a mile apart. There is a lot of intensity any time we play them, especially in boys soccer."
To prove that boys soccer is king at Spring Woods, the Tigers have declared their 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, contest against Kingwood Park as homecoming.
Spring Woods has evolved into a perennial playoff team, advancing to the postseason 10 of the last 12 seasons and three years in a row. The Tigers are coming off a 15-5-5 record, losing to Friendswood in the area round of the Class 4A playoffs.
Once again, Spring Woods is off to another superb start. The Tigers swept all three games at the Cy-Fair ISD Showcase, beating Cy Woods 3-1, Atascocita 3-0 and Katy 7-2. After dropping a 2-1 non-district decision to Clear Falls, Spring Woods participated in the Pasadena Cup, knocking off Alvin 7-0 and Furr 4-2 before a 2-0 setback to Mayde Creek. Last week, the Tigers (6-2) blanked Huntsville 4-0, with four different players scoring goals.
"The only Class 4A teams we've played so far are Furr and Huntsville," said Yaya prior to last week's home game against Huntsville.
That fearlessness should serve the Tigers well in District 42-4A, one of the area's toughest leagues top to bottom. While Stratford is the defending champion, Spring Woods is a contender along with Humble, Kingwood Park, Northbrook and Summer Creek.
Senior forward Alec Barraza headlines an explosive offense, tallying 10 goals and one assist in eight games.
"Alec was injured a lot last year, so he's making up for lost time," Yaya said. "He's a tremendous finisher."
Junior Luis Sanchez, the other forward, is the perfect companion for Barraza. Sanchez has the skills to be a prolific scorer.
Spring Woods rotates senior Francisco Santana, juniors Daniel Grijalva and Raymundo Rodriguez, sophomoreDaniel Rivera and freshman Christian Hinojosa in the midfield along with seniors Byron Melgar and Sergio Razooff the bench.
Typically, the defense would be the Tigers' biggest strength, but two starters have been out with injuries. Most notably, Spring Woods has been without senior center back Jose Cardenas, the district's defensive most valuable player a year ago.
When Cardenas is healthy, he'll join a defensive unit that has seniors Josue Bajan and Gustavo Ramirez and freshman Jorge Cerrato.
The Tigers have an embarrassment of riches at goalkeeper. That's allowed Yaya to insert junior George Gomez, one of his best goalies, at midfielder.
When Gomez is a field player, Spring Woods can turn to junior David Romay, senior Israel Perez or sophomoreFranklin Sanchez, who was recently elevated from the junior varsity.
Yaya said it's no secret why Spring Woods has been so successful in boys soccer.
"Our principal (Jennifer Parker) and the administration are extremely supportive, but we have a fan base that really loves soccer," Yaya said. "That makes it a fun place to coach."
Boys hoopsters show guts
Spring Woods won't qualify for the Class 4A boys basketball playoffs this year, but the Tigers are the type of team no one wants to face.
"Our opponents go into the game not respecting us," said Spring Woods head coach Joe Gibson, "but they always tell us how hard we made them play. I take that as a compliment."
It's a tribute to Gibson, who has turned a squad with no players taller than 6 feet into a feisty group of competitors.
Spring Woods recently notched its biggest win of the season, a 72-49 victory over Tomball.
Last week, the Tigers lost to Fort Bend Marshall 101-50 and Fort Bend Ridge Point 54-29, slipping to 6-20 overall and 2-9 in District 22-4A.
Spring Woods has relied on its 1-2 punch of 5-10 junior Jamond Burleson and 5-10 senior Jamal Turner at the guard positions. Burleson is averaging 17 points, while Turner contributes 13 per game. Burleson managed 22 points against Fort Bend Ridge Point.
"Both of them have done an amazing job," Gibson said. "Jamond and Jamal transferred in from other schools and it's taken them a while to get into a rhythm. They are really shooting the ball well."
Junior Jermar Reed, a 6-0 forward, has been the Tigers' primary inside threat, delivering 10 points and seven rebounds.
Rounding out the starting five are 6-0 senior forward Reggie Heckard and 5-10 senior guard Xavier Castro.
Providing a spark off the bench are 5-10 senior guard Will Araujo and 6-0 junior forward Hector Zolezzi.
Next up for Spring Woods is a contest against Stratford at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, at Don Coleman Coliseum.