IT’S TIME! | District soccer play starts TONIGHT!

District 15-4A soccer play opens tonight, and it’s huge.

And when we say huge – it’s a twofold meaning.

Kilgore High School’s boys and Henderson High School’s girls are the defending champions in this district, and it is LARGE.

It’s a 10-team district in both boys and girls divisions.

Let’s discuss the boys division first.

Of course, Kilgore is coached by Hector Peralez, who enters his second season after having just an unbelievable first one, as having taken over for Tom Wait and guiding the Bulldogs all the way to the University Interscholastic League’s State Tournament in Georgetown for Class 4A.

Now, Kilgore lost in the semifinals, but the Bulldogs won the district championship for what seemed like the 80^th straight year, and of course, won the regional tournament in Tyler en route to state.

Joining KHS in 15-4A and also in the ETBlitz.com coverage area are the Henderson Lions, coached by Jorge Cardenas; the Sabine Cardinals, coached by Ryan Tierney; and the Tatum Eagles, coached by Sean Cardon.

Also in the district: the Carthage Bulldogs, the Center Roughriders, the Pine Tree Pirates, and the Tenaha Tigers, playing up in classification.

Everyone opens district play Tuesday night – tonight.

Kilgore opens at Sabine at James Bamberg Stadium in Liberty City, right after the junior varsity at 6:45. Henderson will host Pine Tree tonight. Tatum visits Carthage. And on Wednesday night, Tenaha hosts Center.

On Friday, Kilgore hosts Tenaha (also at 6:45); Henderson plays at Tatum; Sabine visits Pine Tree; and Center hosts Carthage.

Kilgore and Sabine both have new head girls coaches.

Kilgore’s new girls coach is Daniel Garcia, a John Tyler High and University of Texas at Tyler alum who replaces Todd BonDurant as the head coach of the Lady Bulldogs. He’s taught and coached at Tyler ISD and Whitehouse ISD.

Sabine’s girls coach is a face familiar to programs both at SHS and at Kilgore: he’s the longtime now former Kilgore assistant Jason Bragg. His wife, Kate Bragg, will continue to be his assistant.

Coach Bragg recently got his very first win at Sabine, a 5-1 win over Crockett as a part of the Lufkin Hudson Tournament. It was the first game of the season, due to inclement weather, so Bragg got a win in his first game as Sabine’s head coach. He replaced Heidi Hagan in that role.

Analiyah Fierros scored four goals for the Lady Cardinals in the win, and Samantha Madden had 1. Bella Shaw had a ridiculous five assists in the game.

District play also opens tonight for the girls, as well.

Around the district on Tuesday night, Kilgore hosts Sabine; Tatum plays at Carthage; Center and Spring Hill played on Monday night and Spring Hill blasted Center, 8-0, in the bitter cold.

On Friday, Kilgore is at Spring Hill; Sabine hosts Pine Tree; Center plays at Carthage; Tatum has an open date.