Alex Rojas earned a second team all-state recognition for his excellent play this year leading the Mineola Yellowjackets soccer team. The all-state selection comes in addition to being named the District 14-4A Offensive MVP.

Mineola competed in a 4A district with Athens, Bullard, Cumberland Academy, Kemp, Mabank, Chapel Hill and Van. The Yellowjackets concluded their 2019 campaign in the bi-district playoff round.

Rojas’ performance threatened opponents all year as they often sent two or even three defenders to corral him. Regardless of the opposition, Rojas could seemingly create goal-scoring opportunities out of nothing. His skill on the ball, awareness on the pitch and brute physicality were a combination rarely seen at the high school level.

Mineola soccer coach Shelby Turner summed up Rojas’ skill and effort by simply stating, “He is just a joy to coach.” In his second year with the Yellowjackets, Rojas built on an outstanding junior year for which he was named to first team all-district. A senior, Rojas’ talents on the pitch will be on display at a college within the ArkLaTex, although his choice of school has not yet been named.

Teammate Spencer Rhodes received an honorable mention all-state designation, as well as district Goaltender of the Year honors, for his superlative play in goal. Rhodes intends to study engineering and expects to continue playing soccer at the league level.

Additional first team all-district selections from the Mineola squad included Liberio Perez, Nathan Rojas and Gustavo Sanchez. Yellowjackets Lin Dong, Omar Galaz and Samual South were named to second team All-District, while Yimi Nunez and Rogelio Delapaz earned honorable mention.

Coach Turner described the good fortune of having so many intelligent players on the pitch, and noted with pride that Omar Camacho, Delapaz, Dong, Rhodes and South earned academic all-American honors. Additionally, Alex Rojas, Dong, Comacho, Omar Gonzales, Ritik Gopal, South, Rhodes and Delapaz achieved academic all-state.