Cove soccer coaches named Coach of Year in District 12-6A

By Clay Whittington

Leader Press

Copperas Cove’s soccer teams were recently honored for achievements on the pitch as the programs collected multiple spots on the 12-6A All-District Team, including several superlatives, and the rewards were not limited to the players.

Copperas Cove swept the coaching honors as Lady Bulldawgs head coach Elizabeth Duran and Bulldawgs head coach Tyler Frank were each named coach of the year.

Each team also had a player capture a superlative. 

Bulldawgs senior Justin Crook was named offensive player of the year, while Lady Bulldawgs sophomore forward Emily Poste was named co-offensive player of the year with Belton senior Daysha Thomas.

Additionally, the Lady Bulldawgs had four first-team – Delisa Dudley, Emma Ross, Liliana Perez and Brianna Miles – and four second-team – Allison Crawley, Keanu Dockins, Alexis Skye Smith and Aly Moreno – selections. 

Hailey Williams, Ailene Rodarte and Ella Crawley were honorable mentions for the Lady Bulldawgs. 

Joining Thomas, Belton junior forward Makenna Morrow was named most valuable player after guiding the Lady Tigers to an undefeated district championship, while teammate Sara Navarro was named midfielder of the year, and Hugo Cruz was named co-assistant coach of the year, splitting the honor with Killeen’s Leanna Hogge.

Harker Heights senior Ava Young and Temple sophomore Lydia Leslie were named co-defensive players of the year, and Lady Knights freshman Yumari Hernandez was named goalkeeper of the year. 

Bryan sophomore forward Kristi Gorman was newcomer of the year. 

The Bulldawgs, who also qualified for the playoffs this season, had four first-team selections in Gabriel Davis, Kendric Steward, Darrius Gray and Joshua Caal, and they placed four more players – Ayden Seymour, Jeremiah Davis, Alejandro Sanchez and Saymon Taylor – on the second team.

Furthermore, Ryan Hicks, Justin Carrion-Hernandez and Trey Fossett were honorable mentions for the Bulldawgs. 

District champion Temple had junior Eric Ortiz named most valuable player, and senior teammate Alejando Gonzalez was named defensive player of the year, while Belton sophomore Mason Ladd was named newcomer of the year, and the Tigers’ William France was named assistant coach of the year.

Completing the superlatives, Killeen senior twins Uriel and Noriel Gomez Vargas split the midfielder of the year award, and Bryan junior Josue Gonzales was named goalkeeper of the year.