Three Killeen ISD soccer teams will spend their spring break prepping for and then playing in playoff games after earning the right to extend their seasons.
The Harker Heights boys and girls and the Chaparral boys are in action Thursday, March 19, heading north of their home base to challenge Metroplex programs at neutral sites.
The Matchups
Bi-District
Girls
Class 6A Division II
Harker Heights (7-10-1) vs. Mesquite Horn (16-4-3)
5 p.m. Thursday, March 19
Blackcat Field, Mexia High School
Boys
Class 5A Division I
Chaparral (11-6-5) vs. Midlothian (12-6-4)
7 p.m. Thursday, March 19
Paul Tyson Field, Waco
Class 6A Division II
Harker Heights (16-3-1) vs. Mesquite (10-6-6)
7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19
Tiger Stadium, Corsicana High School
The Knights certainly are perched on a wave of title-winning momentum ahead of their first-round battle against Mesquite.
Under the guidance of first-year head coach Desi Torres, Harker Heights set the tone early in District 12-6A and only had one hiccup –– a 3-2 setback versus Waco Midway –– as it clinched the league championship rather comfortably.
They now turn their attention to a rematch from the bi-district round a year ago in which the Skeeters picked up a 6-0 victory en route to playing in the 6A-II state championship game, which it lost 3-1 to Leander Vandegrift.
“I was really impressed with how quickly the group bought into the coaching staff's high expectations, bought into a new system, and how well they adapted to all of the changes. They were eager to learn, soaked up new information and applied it on the field,” Torres said. “They stayed focused on taking things one game at a time, and you could see them continuing to grow and improve each week.”
The Skeeters average 2.6 goals per game and allow 1.1. The Knights scored 3.15 goals per game during the regular season, while surrendering right around one goal a night.
Midfielder Mekhi Carwise led the Knights with 14 goals during district play, while fellow midfielder Ian Otto had a team-high nine assists during that 12-game span. With the help of center backs Kalan Roe and Adam Villa patrolling the backline, starting goalkeeper Oakley Goins recorded six shutouts.
“This group has a great desire to win and a mindset of wanting to be great. They have kept a strong belief in what we’re trying to build together here at Harker Heights. They've played unselfish soccer and even though there's been some very tough games, they fought and always gave their best,” Torres said. “Coach Ramirez and Coach Bennett have done a great job helping maintain our level of play by monitoring game minutes, managing our training load, and staying on top of any player concerns throughout the season.”
The Lady Knights, who finished fourth in District 12-6A, are back in the playoffs one season after capturing the program’s first bi-district championship since 2004. Horn, an area finalist in 2025, is riding a 14-game unbeaten streak and was the runner-up in 11-6A.
“We are extremely excited to be back in the playoffs for the second year in a row,” Harker Heights head coach JD Marrow said. “This group of girls has been through a lot, but they are the true definition of team.”
Helping to maintain that bond, Marrow said, are captains Kasi Yonkey and Sabra Jones, who lead the Lady Knights in goals and saves, respectively.
“We cannot wait to continue this journey,” Marrow said.
The Bobcats have been a playoff qualifier in each of their first four seasons as a program but have their sights set on achieving the program’s first postseason victory against Midlothian when the teams collide.
To get it, Chaparral will look to tap into what propelled them to the top of the district standings for much of the season before tough road results muddied its chances at a district title and sent it to fourth.
“Knowing the adversity we have faced, we have a chip on our shoulder and we are excited to start our ‘next season,’ focusing on a next-game mentality as we enter the playoffs,” said Chaparral head coach Tyler Frank, whose team will play two tune-up games prior to the encounter with Midlothian. “We know our potential and hope to show our talents as we get to continue our season.”
Devin Ochoa leads the Bobcats with 10 goals and 14 assists, followed by Yiamxel Marino Vega (nine goals, one assist) and Terrence Robinson (eight goals, two assists).
Goalie Kaden Howley is credited with six shutouts and 64 saves.