KILGORE, J’VILLE SOCCER PLAYOFF TONIGHT | Winner goes to regionals; season ends for the loser

It’s that time of year: win or go home.

Like, not for a few days, either. Home for the season.

The Kilgore High School Bulldogs face Jacksonville High tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Henderson ISD Stadium, in the regional quarterfinals of the University Interscholastic League’s Class 4A playoffs.

Kilgore’s Bulldogs have been on both ends of the stick, but have been very solid in the playoffs, advancing to the University Interscholastic League Class 4A Region II Tournament more often than not. The tournament is back at CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Stadium again this weekend. Get there, win two games (hardly an easy task), and you’re off to the UIL State Tournament at Birkelbach Stadium in Georgetown.

It’s been a few years now since Kilgore advanced that far, having won their state championship in boys soccer back in 2017.

But coach Hector Peralez, in his first season after taking over for the now-retired Tom Wait, has the ‘Dogs 22-2-2 this year, a senior class with 97 wins and one of the deepest teams in the history of the program. Kilgore’s wins in the playoffs have been over Lufkin Hudson (3-0) and Lindale (3-2, last Thursday).

They’ll face a Jacksonville team that’s 22-4-1, also won their district (a 13-1 record), and has played two playoff games without giving up a goal: a 4-0 win over Henderson and a 2-0 win over Athens, in Athens.

Obviously, ETBlitz will be in attendance, covering the game, and we’ll have the story tonight after it’s over.