Boys soccer: Panthers appear set up for memorable season

This is some new territory for Permian High School's boys soccer program.

The Panthers are coming off a season in which they earned a share of the district title for the first time in program history.

Just about every player who played a part in that effort is back, which would seem to set Permian up for a season to remember.

But particularly in a new 10-team District 2-5A, little will come easy. Perhaps the best lesson for the Panthers to remember is the one dealt to them on March 25, 2008, when they were left shocked after losing 2-0 to Fort Worth Paschal in the bi-district round of the Class 5A playoffs.

"Last year we thought we could've done better than we did," said senior Chris Benavides, who was voted the district Goalkeeper of the Year in 2008. "We've only gone to the first playoff game the past three years and we definitely want to go further than that."

This will be the last chance for many members of a senior-laden team in a program that has had success at both the varsity and junior varsity level the last three years under head coach Luis Carmona and assistant Richard Ontiveros.

Helping lead the way on the field will be senior midfielder Cooper Barham and senior defender-midfielder Alan Castillejos. Both players are four-year standouts who likely will play collegiately in the near future.

They are returning first-team all-district selections along with senior midfielder-defender Austin James. Also back are returning second-team all-district players Collin Greene (forward-midfielder), Mason Vincent (midfielder) and Barrett Yates (forward-midfielder).

"The experience is definitely there," Carmona said. "I think the biggest challenge is staying humble. We know what we accomplished, but now it's staying humble and knowing we still have to work.

"Nobody's going to be afraid of us, and we have to realize everybody wants a chance at us. We still have to work from where we left off last year. Hopefully this will be an extra step we can carry on for the seniors."

Permian's potential is reflected by a No. 6 ranking in Region I by the Texas Association of Soccer Coaches Organization.

That potential will be realized during a grueling 18-game district schedule that starts next week after the Panthers start the season today, Friday and Saturday at the Coppell Cowboy Kickoff Classic. The Panthers face Bastrop at 6 p.m. today in their opener, perennial power Arlington Martin at 6 p.m. Friday and Plano East at 2 p.m. Saturday.

"Basically we're not going to have as much preparation time for district," Carmona said. "I think in my position we're pretty fortunate to have the same team coming back. Definitely it's going to be a marathon and this weekend should be good preparation.

"I think we're ready for the challenge. These guys want to play."