Bishop Gorman’s JJ Rodriguez earned Tyler Morning Telegraph Boys Soccer Player of the Week honors for games played Feb. 5-10.
Rodriguez had four goals for the Crusaders.
Rodriguez had 16 shots, 16 defensive stops, 11 clearances and two assists.
In other outstanding performances in the area last week (nominated by coaches):
Whitehouse junior midfielder Braxton Ladwig had two goals and three assists in wins over Texas High and Hallsville. Junior midfielder Javi Gonzalez had three goals against Texas High. Senior goalkeeper Beaux Benson posted two shutouts.
Palestine senior center back Rico Avilo was the anchor on the back line of the Wildcat defense, shutting down the opponent’s main attacker in both matches, allowing zero goals. Junior defensive midfielder Mario Escalante had a goal and two assists. Sophomore Tony Sanchez had four goals and two assists. Sophomore Reece Garcia had five goals and two assists.
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Multiple East Texas teams earned a spot in the MaxPreps state rankings.
In Class 5A, Nacogdoches (8-5-1) is No. 25. In Class 4A, Kilgore (13-0-2) is No. 2, Jacksonville (11-3-1) No. 3, Palestine (14-2) No. 8 and Sabine (13-1-1) No. 14.
In the Lethal Soccer Rankings, Kilgore No. 2, Jacksonville No. 12, Palestine No. 28 and Sabine No. 30 in Class 4A.