Taylor boys soccer coach Julio Rivas was 19 games into his first season at the helm of the Mustangs when play was abruptly suspended, first by Katy ISD and then by the UIL, due to precautions for novel coronavirus, or COVID-19.
This item is available in full to subscribers.
To continue reading, you will need to either log in to your subscriber account, below, or purchase a new subscription.
Please log in to continue |
Taylor boys soccer coach Julio Rivas was 19 games into his first season at the helm of the Mustangs when play was abruptly suspended, first by Katy ISD and then by the UIL, due to precautions for novel coronavirus, or COVID-19.
Taylor was 10-6-3 at the time and competing for a playoff spot in the intensely competitive District 19-6A, with a 4-5-1 district record with two games left despite five starters missing games because of injuries.
“We started off the year great,” Rivas said. “We built a lot of confidence and we recognized that we had the ability to compete this year. I can say that this is the toughest district I’ve ever competed in. You’re playing against three top 10-teams in the state. Any given night, you can go out there and get demoralized.
“The boys have responded well and truly believe in themselves this year. When you have a group of guys that truly care for one another and believe in themselves, anything is possible.”
But when the suspensions hit, Rivas admitted it was a blow to his team’s momentum. Per the UIL, the earliest games may resume is May 4. The last game Taylor played was March 6.
Rivas was permitted to resume coaching his players, albeit remotely, on March 23.
“The kids have been pretty down about it. They want to compete,” Rivas said. “They were hungry to fight and try to compete for that fourth seed into the playoffs. Some of these seniors have wanted this since their freshman year.
“It’s a heartbreaker, for sure, but we all understand that safety comes first. We need to make sure that the community and country are safe and playing conditions allow for us to continue. All we can do is hope and pray and let God handle the rest.”
Rivas has his dream job. He is grateful to be back in Katy ISD, where he learned to speak English and earned his education. He attended Morton Ranch High School and played soccer for coach Fredy Sanguinetti, now the boys soccer coach at Cinco Ranch. Rivas was a member of the Mavericks’ 2007 state qualifying team.
Rivas was a student teacher at Harlandale High in San Antonio and then taught for five years at Cypress Lakes, where he also coached as an assistant for Franklin Cartagena’s boys soccer program.
When he got to Taylor for his first head coaching gig, Rivas inherited a group of kids eager to work.
“They make every day an incredible learning experience,” he said.
His style of play changes based on the opponent, but, generally, Rivas likes his teams to keep the ball on the ground and focus on counters. He has incorporated a discipline-oriented coaching style, and it has paid dividends.
In the previous five seasons before Rivas’ arrival, the Mustangs had won more than five games in a season only once. Now they are in good shape to make their first playoff appearance since 2013.
“They’re a group of boys who have gotten beat down pretty badly in district play during their high school years,” Rivas said. “To see them come out fighting every game with no fear is something I can always be proud about. They know that nothing is given, and they have to go out there and earn it. They have matured immensely this year.”
Rivas has as well.
“I learned that I walked into something special here at Taylor,” Rivas said. “It’s not about me, and it will never be about me. It’s about the group and the boys. As long as we keep that mentality and fire and desire, we will be a competitive group. I am looking forward to being here for years to come.”
For now, Rivas and his boys are taking this hiatus of uncertainty day by day.
“Unfortunately, there’s not much they can do under the current situations,” he said. “However, one thing we’ve worked on this year is discipline. I trust in them and believe in them. I know they will find a way to practice alone and get their touches in. They will run and workout on their own. If not, hopefully we will have time to get it back.”
Rivas has used this abundance of free time and social distancing to go back and watch a lot of game tape from this season, hoping to learn from mistakes and misreads on his part. He knows a lot of his players have been watching film, something he encourages so they learn more about opponents and themselves.
“I have also been able to think about personnel changes for any upcoming games that may take place after this is over,” Rivas said. “Also, I’ve been watching games and reading articles about other coaches’ philosophies and in-game tactics. We, as coaches, are students of the game and lifelong learners. There will always be something new to learn.”
And when it comes time to step back on the field and complete the season, should that time come, Rivas and his Mustangs will be ready.