DCHS Soccer finishes memorable 2022 season with 20-1 record

The Dodge City High School Soccer program is no stranger to the 6A State Final Four. And for the fifth time in the past eight seasons, the Red Demons returned home with a trophy. The Red Demons defeated Washburn Rural (2-1) on Saturday via a late game-winning goal from Senior Captain, Irwin Macias, to clinch the consolation title. The Red Demons have now finished in the Top 3 of the final rankings three of the past four seasons.  

The Red Demons fell just one goal short of a perfect season, dropping a 3-2 decision to Olathe West on Friday night in the semifinals. In the first ever KSHSAA State playoff game to be played indoors, Dodge City came out sluggish and the Owls made them pay with two early goals. The Red Demons quickly responded with goals from Aron Martinez and Mario Olivares – his second goal of the tournament. The Owls scored what would the game winning goal with just over 2’ left in the first half. The Red Demons peppered the Olathe West goalie in the second half, but eventually fell one goal short of the State Championship game.  

Mill Valley defeated Olathe West 1-0 on Saturday to clinch the 6A State Title.  

Dodge City will return a large nucleus of the 2022 team, but will certainly miss their senior leaders – Irwin Macias, Aime Minga, Miguel Schwiede, Ernesto Monge, Itzaael Bocanegra, and Brandon Castillo. Post-season honors for several DCHS players will be released in the coming days. The Red Demons finished the season as undefeated WAC Champs (8-0), Regional Champions (8-straight years), and with an outstanding 20-1 final record.

DCHS Soccer headed to Wichita in pursuit of State Championship

Red Demon Soccer is no “rags to riches” tale. But what a difference a year makes for this year’s senior class and team. Last October, the Red Demons lost a heartbreaker to Wichita North in the first round of the 6A State Soccer Tournament ending an undefeated season earlier than anyone dressed in red wanted or expected. It was the first home playoff loss in twenty post-season home games since 2015 when Saul Hernandez arrived at DCHS as the Head Soccer Coach.

A program accustomed to playing until the last possible day of the fall season had fallen one goal short of another shot at a third state championship ring.

Fast forward 365 days and you begin to understand the celebration Tuesday night at Memorial Stadium where the Red Demons dominated Lawrence Free State (4-0) and punched their well-deserved ticket to this weekend’s Final Four – hosted at the Stryker Complex in Wichita.

The post-game mood was as much relief as it was excitement. A game decided by halftime may have contributed to the subdued celebration, but there seemed to be an overwhelming sense from everyone that this team has unfinished business.

The 2022 version of Red Demon Soccer seems poised for more than just a weekend getaway to Wichita. The Red Demons enter Friday night’s semifinal contest against defending champions Olathe West (17-2-0) with a perfect 19-0-0 record. The two teams have met previously in the semifinals with the Owls defeating the Demons 1-nil in 2019. The other semifinal match features Topeka Washburn Rural (16-3-0) and Mill Valley (15-1-1).

Among the 19 victories this season for the Red Demons are wins over three different Final Four participants (Blue Valley SW – 5A, Newton – 5A, and Wichita Trinity 4-1A). The Red Demons have outscored opponents 106-5 heading into the final weekend of the season.

The first Final Four trip to Wichita in 2016 ended perfectly for the Red Demons – a 1-nil victory over Olathe East for the first Soccer State Championship in school history. The 2020 State Championship team also finished undefeated at 20-0, winning the title at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka. This year’s Final Four will be hosted back in Wichita, this time at Stryker Complex. The Red Demons are not unfamiliar with the complex as they played in the first ever indoor soccer game in KSHSAA history at Stryker versus Kapaun Mt. Carmel in 2020. Dodge City has played four times in Wichita this season, so the trip is a familiar one for the Red Demons.

Quote from DCHS Head Coach Saul Hernandez: “Going back to the Final Four was one of our goals ever since we were eliminated in the quarterfinals last year. The expectation in our program is to be playing in November and the boys earned that with all the hard work, sacrifices, and dedication they have shown since summer workouts and conditioning. Our main goal is always to win state and this year we have given ourselves the opportunity to reach that goal.”

“There are three other quality programs involved who all have great coaches. Winning championships is never easy. We are hoping for a partisan Dodge City crowd to make the short trip to Wichita because these last two games at Memorial Stadium we have really fed off that energy. Our home atmosphere definitely helps us play to the best of our abilities and a big crown in Wichita would certainly give us a better chance at winning the third state title in program history.”

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6A State Soccer Tournament – Final Four
Friday – Semifinal Matches
5:00 pm – Dodge City vs Olathe West
7:00 pm – Washburn Rural vs Mill Valley

Saturday – Championship Matches
12:00 pm – 3rd Place Match
2:00 pm – State Championship Match

Live Streaming: NFHS Network
Radio: 98.1 – Voice of the Red Demons Derek Decker & Julio Martinez
Twitter: @RedDemonSports