Johnson High School’s Mabry Williams made her way into the Blossom Soccer Stadium on May 11, and the moment had a full-circle vibe.

Williams played in her final high school game that day at the annual Texas Association of Soccer Coaches Organization’s Senior Showcase. Three years earlier, having earned national acclaim and a nomination for ESPN’s ESPY award in the “can’t stop watching moment” category before her varsity debut with a viral video of herself executing a trick shot in her family’s backyard during lockdown for the COVID-19 pandemic, she made her first appearance at the facility as a freshman looking to have an impact on a senior-laden squad.

In the aftermath, she helped Johnson capture four UIL Class 6A playoff berths and two district titles and established school records for goals scored in a season and career. Now, on a sunny afternoon, the journey concluded.

Williams made the most of the occasion, tallying two goals, including the game-winner, as the Region IV squad topped the Region III team 4-3. Region IV scored three unanswered goals to break a 1-1 tie at halftime before Region III rallied late to make it close. Reagan’s Lauren Mueller, a defender headed to NCAA Division II power Dallas Baptist, was named MVP.

“Going into the game, I tried to make the most out of it, have as much fun as possible, score all of the opportunities I can get,” said Williams, a forward and Oklahoma State signee who joined midfielder Ashlyn DiGioia as representatives from Johnson.

Williams and DiGioia weren’t the only San Antonio-area players playing in their final prep contest.

Taft, which advanced to the Region IV-6A final before falling to Austin Westlake, was represented by forward Jordan Matthews, midfielder Layla Rangel and defender Bella Galan. The trio guided the Raiders to a combined 43-2-5 record and two regional tournament berths during the past two seasons.

“I think all three of them earned the right to be here,” said Taft coach Scott Davis, who was the Region IV head coach. “We’re absolutely going to miss them. It’s kind of the nature of the beast. They come for four years, and you wish you could keep them for eight or 10. I was kind of going into (the game) with the attitude of ‘let’s just get everybody equal minutes and just rotate.’ When they tightened up to 4-3, it started feeling like a regular game again, where you’re going, ‘Hey, we want to hang on here.’ Even as coaches and these players, we’re all competitive, and even in a situation like this, when it’s kind of for fun, there’s still some competitive fire that burns.”

Matthews and Rangel, who going back to their club-playing days in elementary school were teammates for more than a decade, felt as much as they ended one chapter and started another in their soccer careers.

“I’m really glad that we got our last game to be in an all-star game,” Matthews said. “It’s really cool and exciting to have grown up with someone, to (have someone to) always be by my side.”

In the boys contest, Region III edged Region 4-3 with a goal in the waning moments. Region IV trailed 2-0 in the first half, tied it at 2-2 early in the second half, fell behind again at 3-2, then tied it at 3-3 before Region III prevailed.

“It was a good experience,” Johnson forward Diego Robles said.

terrence@terrencesports.com
Twitter: @sa_terrence1