Texas HS: Defending champions Klein Cain beat Taylor in scrimmage

The High School soccer season is officially back in the state of Texas, as of last Friday, programs all around the Lone Star State have been playing scrimmage matches as part of their preseason efforts to be in the best possible shape when district play begins in a few weeks.   For another season, Prep Soccer Texas will be following the action closely as it unfolds in the Houston area, attending multiple matches a week and providing the best coverage in the state, with Photo Galleries, Match Reports and Social Media posts that will help increase the exposure of teams and players in the Lone Star State.   On Friday, December 19, we attended our second scrimmage of the 2025-2026 season, watching the duel between the Taylor Mustangs and the Klein Cain Hurricanes. Despite playing on the road, the reigning state champions Klein Cain came out on top, winning the match 2-1.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Taylor vs. Klein Cain - <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2025/12/texas-hs-taylor-vs-klein-cain-photos/">Photos</a></li> </ul>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/DSePhkrjqy3/?img_index=1 </div></figure>   The Hurricanes got their first goal in the 21st minute of the first half, when senior forward Parken Glenn got the ball on the right side of the penalty and fired a cross shot into the back of the net. The visiting side doubled its lead with sophomore midfielder Omar Elmoutia, who found the back of the net with a well-placed shot from the edge of the box in the 34th minute.   Down two goals, Taylor started the second half on fire and got one back before the first minute, after senior forward Daniel Toc made a good play down the right and the ball fell to junior midfielder Christopher Hernandez, who scored with a beautiful left-footed shot.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match </h2>    The junior was everywhere on the field and helped Klein Cain control the midfield with his high-energy game. Playing a box-to-box role, Agbu was heavily involved on both sides of the game and was pivotal in his team's road win, combining intensity and quality in his actions. He got on the ball a lot, playing an active role in the team's buildup and also appearing in the final third, and was always very quick and intelligent with how he moved the ball. Agbu also made a big defensive impact, covering a lot of ground and being very firm in his actions to win duels and stop plays.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/12/2J4A0022_e328ab.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-343956" /></figure>    The senior was a rock in Klein Cain's backline and helped his team limit a talented Taylor offense to only one goal. Celis thrived with his positioning and used his height very well to dominate in the air, clearing numerous crosses, both out of set pieces and during the run of play. The center back was also impeccable with the timing of his actions, getting clean tackles throughout the match, and made a key defensive play in the second half when he tracked back to block what would have been a dangerous finish by Taylor inside the box. Celis also did very well with his distribution, picking and executing his passes flawlessly.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/12/2J4A0019.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-343954" /></figure>    The senior led the line for the defending champions and was their most consistently dangerous attacking player. Gleen played more to the right side of Klein Cain's offense, and there he made some good plays down the line and scored the team's first goal, coming inside and hitting a great shot from a difficult angle. In the second half, when Taylor had more of the ball, he was an important outlet for Klein Cain, being the target for transition plays and chasing long passes. Glenn played with impressive intensity until the final whistle and was relentless with how he pressed opposing defenders and fought for the ball.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/12/2J4A0063.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-343975" /></figure>    The senior had a solid shift in goal, being extremely efficient and reliable every time he was called upon. Farina was always alert to get to passes behind the backline and made a couple of nice saves in the first half. In the second half, we stopped a close-range header, getting very quickly to the ground. The goalkeeper was excellent with his feet, getting many passes from the defenders and moving the ball efficiently, even when under pressure. Farina also did well when putting the ball back in play with throws, starting some transition plays for his team.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/12/2J4A0002.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-343949" /></figure>    The junior was very active in midfield and was among Taylor's most consistent players throughout the match. Hernandez was very dynamic defensively, appearing well to cover his teammates on both flanks and doing a good job of winning duels, despite not being very physical. He also thrived in possession, making good decisions with his passing and taking good care of the ball. Hernandez scored Taylor's goal in the match by stepping into the penalty box and hitting a difficult left-footed shot to get the ball past multiple Klein Cain defenders into the corner.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/12/2J4A0017_9f75ee.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-343953" /></figure>    Playing as a left wingback, the senior was one of Taylor's main offensive weapons in the match. Escalona used his pace to cover ground very quickly and was very successful in his attempts to take the ball to the end line. He was very crafty and creative with his dribbling and combined well with his teammates, consistently finding ways to get in behind the backline - his strong play even forced a positional switch in Klein Cain's defense to try to contain him in the second half. Escalona also drew some fouls around the box, which became opportunities for Taylor to send the ball into the box.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/12/2J4A0082_3946c0.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-343987" /></figure>    A forward, the senior was very active in the final third and got heavily involved in Taylor's chance creation. Toc started the match on the right wing and made an excellent play that resulted in the team's goal. He circulated very well in the final third, coming inside to combine with his teammates and, at times, even dropping back to attempt passes behind the backline. Toc was very smooth on the ball and displayed good technical resources to beat opponents off the dribble.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/12/2J4A0005_d5582d.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-343950" /></figure>

The High School soccer season is officially back in the state of Texas, as of last Friday, programs all around the Lone Star State have been playing scrimmage matches as part of their preseason efforts to be in the best possible shape when district play begins in a few weeks.