By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
After enduring back-to-back sub-.500 seasons, the Monett Cubs bounced back in 2023 with a young team to finish well above at 16-9 overall and 5-2 in the Big 8 Conference.
“We lost only three seniors with everyone else coming back,” said Monett coach Cristobal Villa, who is 196-84-1 as he enters his 13th season at the helm. “We learned and competed against top teams in the area including teams from Columbia, where we play each year in the Rock Bridge Tournament.
“The lessons we learned were to be organized and to know exactly what our style was. It took us losing some games and then being able to see why we lost. When you have a young team, it takes time for them to realize all the different things they could have done to win a game. Now this year, in 2024, the expectations are different.”
The Cubs have a great deal of talent and experience returning this fall that will work toward a district championship – and more.
Ivan Montelongo, senior forward – Scored 16 goals with 6 assists; earned Class 2 All-District second-team and All-Big 8 Conference first-team honors.
Aaron Lopez, senior defender – Class 2 All-Region 3, Class 2 All-District first team, All-Big 8 Conference first team.
Osiel Serrano, senior midfielder – Scored 9 goals, including 3 “beautiful goals” coming on free kicks; named All-Big 8 Conference second team.
Samuel Garcia, senior goalkeeper and Lance Anderson, senior defender, will anchor the defense along with Lopez.
Santiago Bernal, junior forward – Scored 40 goals; earned Class 2 All-State honorable mention, Class 2 All-Region 3, Class 2 All-District first-team and All-Big 8 Conference first-team honors.
Israel Valdez, junior midfielder – All-Big 8 Conference second team. “Israel Valdez also had more than eight goals playing as a midfielder and is ready to improve that and assist his teammates.”
Alex Patino, sophomore, goalkeeper – “(Alex) is coming this year prepared to help his team win a district championship,” Villa said.
Villa says the Cubs have a talented group of underclassmen ready to hit the pitch at the varsity level this fall. Sophomore Jose Rueda (goalkeeper) could contribute, and classmates Jose Garcia and Thomas Quiquivix will see quality varsity minutes.
“We will hope to use their size and speed to help us be a bigger threat on the offensive side,” Villa said.
Villa also has three freshmen he thinks “will surprise a lot of teams this year.”
One of those freshmen includes Grayson Gonzalez whom Villa describes as “a gifted player that plays in the wing as a midfielder. He has really good foot skills and good speed.”
The Cubs will miss the contributions of the Class of 2024, which included Brenik Flores, Grason Mahl, Bryan Arreola, and Cristian Vail.
“These players put a lot of heart on the field and these players are always hard to replace,” Villa said.
“Most of these players played as defenders for our team and brought a lot of experience, but also taught our underclassmen how to do the job.”
The new season also brings back some familiar faces to the Cubs’ sideline.
“I am also excited to add Misael Cordero, a former player who graduated in 2015 from MHS,” Villa said. “He brings a lot of energy and experience to the team along with Jairo Rueda, also a former player from 2015.”
Monett will be participating in a jamboree at Joplin with Carthage and Neosho and Joplin before opening the regular season in the Webb City Shootout on Aug. 30-31.
“What I like about my team is their speed and how they have grown together as a team,” Villa said. “We are more mature on and off the field and we really think this is the year we get back on the podium. We have key players in all of our lines that know exactly what they are doing. This team will be a fun one to watch this year for sure.”
