On January 15, 2025, Verrado High School’s Boys Varsity Soccer team took on Youngker High in an electric match that left fans buzzing with excitement. The Vipers delivered a commanding 5-1 victory, showing why they’re the team to beat this season.
Leading the charge for the Vipers are Head Coach Randy Watkins and Assistant Coach Cesar Dominguez, who’ve been instrumental in guiding the team to a stellar 3-game winning streak. According to AZPreps, the Vipers are currently ranked #1 in the 5A Desert West Region and an impressive #19 statewide in the Arizona 5A Conference. The team has also earned a Region win and holds the #2 spot in the region, making their road to the State Championships look more promising with every game.
So far this season, the Vipers have racked up wins against Centennial (1-0), Buckeye Union (3-1), and now Youngker (5-1), proving their dominance on the field. And the best part? There’s still more action ahead! The Vipers’ upcoming home games are scheduled for January 21 against Desert Edge, January 23 against La Joya Community, and February 6 against North Canyon. All games kick off at 6 PM, so make sure to come out and show your support for this incredible team!
Before the game, I caught up with Coach Watkins, who was confident in the team’s momentum. “The Varsity team is in excellent form, coming off a strong performance last week,” he said. He highlighted some standout moments from the season, including goals by Andre Galindo, Aiden Eppley, and Grant Weniger in their win over Buckeye Union, and a clutch late-game winner by George Watkins against Centennial. Watkins also gave a shoutout to the JV team, who are eager to keep their undefeated streak alive.
As for the Youngker game, it was all about teamwork and execution. Senior midfielder Grant Weniger (#1) and sophomore forward Lukas Nicolis (#8) were unstoppable on offense, each netting key goals. Meanwhile, senior goalkeeper Matias Del Moral was a wall in the net, shutting down Youngker’s attempts and keeping the scoreboard in Verrado’s favor. It was a full team effort, and the energy on the field was contagious!
With a 3-game winning streak and all the pieces falling into place, it feels like this team is destined for greatness. If they keep playing like this, there’s no doubt in my mind that we’ll see Verrado lift another State Championship trophy this year. Mark your calendars and get ready to cheer on the Vipers as they continue their quest for glory—this season is far from over, and it’s only getting better!
