DEFENSE
With starting Goalkeeper Jose Bello out for the season with an injury, younger brother Joel Bello has filed in great and is trending up and the freshman is poised for a great showing at the State Tournament. Bello has been working extremely hard. The back line is going to try to make his job a bit easier, as this defensive unit is loaded with talent, with Alex Brand, Sergio Brand, Carlos Garcia, and Gio Ruiz. This group has been up against it at times this season with some injuries, but all the guys are ready to roll for the tournament. “We’re excited, it’s always nice to go back to the State Tournament, and we’re looking to prove a lot of people wrong that are doubting us right now. It’s win or go home,” Alex Brand said at practice this Monday. Jared Salazar, Carlos Zapata and Alex Hernandez have given big minutes to the Bobcats this season. This defensive unit has one number on its mind for Thursday and that’s a zero. Joel Bello will look for a clean sheet and when this back line plays its best, a clean sheet is a definite possibility.
THE ATTACK
The Bobcats attack finished the regular season in search of a few answers and a way to be more consistent. Freshman Johnathan Hernandez found the back of the net a couple of times this past week, as he shows he has a knack for scoring goals. You won’t find more skilled and talented midfielders than Joshua Ramos and Sal Sanchez, as they both possess the ball as well as anyone you will see in the state. Yahir Mercado and Anthony Dominguez have been excellent this season and have been getting more involved as of late, and these two have the skills to make a big impact on the game on Thursday and throughout the tourney. Nathan Sanchez, Johnathan Hernandez, and Dylan Mercado are three freshmen that have been big difference makers for the Bobcats this season. Brian Jimenez, Alex Hernandez, and John Gutierrez have all played great this season for Hope as well. Jimenez’s speed out on the wing can be a huge difference maker for the Bobcats this tournament as he will look to help guide this group to some big-time wins this tournament. Alex Hernandez will look to affect the game and help out the team in many different ways, as he is a player Coach Marshall has put in many different positions this season. “We’re feeling good, we need to keep communicating and keep playing our game,” Senior Sal Sanchez said this week at practice. This is a very talented group and when they are clicking as a unit they have proven to a team that will give any opponent a lot of trouble.
The Matchup with Dardanelle
Hope’s first-round matchup is against the Sand Lizards of Dardanelle. Dardanelle is entering the State Tournament as the 1-seed out of the West region. Dardanelle is coming off of a 4-3 win in extra-time over Clarksville in their Conference Championship game last week. “Dardanelle has some size to them. They’re physical. They like to possess the ball,” Coach Marshall said.
The match is set to start at 7PM at Bauxite High School after the girls' game.
