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East Valley soccer looks to return to top of CWAC
Red Devils eye bounce back, Wenatchee and Wahluke try to stay on top of conferences
By DAVE LEDER/Stat Hound
Mar 25, 2026
The East Valley boys soccer team is hoping to return to its familiar perch atop the CWAC standings this season after missing out on a state berth in 2025. With 12 seniors and a wealth of club experience filling out the lineup, head coach Todd Morrow is optimistic that the Red Devils will be back in the mix this spring.
“One thing about this year’s team is we are really deep,” said Morrow, whose squad finished 14-0 in league play and placed fourth in Class 2A in 2024. “Most of our guys are impact players who have been playing with each other at a competitive level for years, and I see that as a huge asset for our program.”
Senior Joshua Vega and juniors Isaac Gutierrez and Omar Morales have been leading the EV attack early on, while sophomores Eli Montez and Isaias Gutierrez have anchored the back line. Junior Angel Lopez has taken over in the net in place of four-year all-CWAC keeper Sammy Gonzalez, earning five shutouts during the team’s 5-0 start.
Morrow is confident that his senior-heavy roster has what it takes to compete for a conference title again this year after a disappointing 4-4 finish in league play last season.
“My philosophy is to keep getting better every game so we’re ready come playoff time,” said Morrow, now in his 19th year. “For us, it starts with the defense, and I feel like we’re really solid in the back again this year.”
The Red Devils' attack will get a boost soon when senior all-conference forward Jace Cuevas and his sophomore brother Adrian return from ankle injuries they suffered during the preseason.
Morrow expects Grandview and Othello — last year’s first- and second-place finishers — to be the Red Devils’ primary challengers for the district title this year, but he’s also wary of Toppenish, Ellensburg, Selah and Quincy. Even last-place Prosser has won three of its first four games.
“No matter what their record is coming in, every team in the CWAC is going to fight to the end,” Morrow said. “We can never count anyone out.”
CBBN — Coming off a third-place finish at state, 2025 league and district champion WENATCHEE returns four all-league picks in Anthony Garcia, Chani Vega, Jonathan Garcia Mendoza and Aiden Harris. The Panthers have started 2-1 and will look to hold off cross-town rival EASTMONT and returning Offensive Player of the Year Aaron Leon. The Wildcats also return first-teamers Angel Ortega and Giancarlo Cordero and second-team selection Iani Alvarado. … DAVIS is hoping for a return to the 4A state tournament after falling to Eastmont in a loser-out district game last spring. Key returners for the Pirates, who finished third in 2023, include all-conference picks Jose Cuevas and Jaime Alcocer, and seniors Diego Aguirre, Aiden Muñoz and Omar Alvarez. The team got a boost when first-team all-CBBN pick Lino Stevenson transferred from West Valley, and will join the lineup soon after sitting out the first six games due to eligibility reasons ... 2024 third-place state finisher SUNNYSIDE should be in the mix for a state berth once again with returning all-leaguers Jonathan Licona, Cesar Frausto and Diego Ochoa. … EISENHOWER also expects to be in the playoff hunt with first-team selection Sergio Mora and second-team pick Arath Barajas.
CWAC — Last year’s district champion GRANDVIEW has started 3-0-2. The Hounds are led by all-league selections Erick Aguilar, Eduardo Perez Arrezola and Vicente Carrasco Valle. … OTHELLO qualified for state last year and is off to a 3-1 start. … TOPPENISH returns first-team all-conference midfielder Kristian Iniguez and all-CWAC forward Luis Ramos, and has started 2-3-1 in nonleague. … QUINCY will look to return to state on the strength of four all-league selections in Erick Zepeda, Jesus Armando Carrillo, Jose Garcia and Brayan Nunez.
SCAC — WAHLUKE (4-1) is looking to win back-to-back conference titles with help from all-conference selections Alex Adame and Icker Lopez. … WAPATO also will be in the mix after earning its first state tournament berth in 27 years last season. The Wolves are 4-2 in nonleague and are led by senior all-league picks Eric Romero and Sebastian Loza. CONNELL will likely be in the running for a playoff spot behind all-league picks Josue Espinoza and Geo Ramierez. … Other playoff contenders in the 1A SCAC include NACHES VALLEY, CASHMERE and ROYAL. … The conference also features 2B teams, led by perennial state-qualifier HIGHLAND (3-1) and GRANGER, which is off to a 3-3 start after falling to the Scotties on Tuesday.