Lopez High School standouts Jorge Cantu and Joe de Alba signed Red River Athletic Conference Letters of Intent to join the Scorpion men's soccer team during a signing ceremony at Lopez High School Thursday.

Both players were members of the Lopez High School team that advanced to the Texas UIL Class 5A championship game.

"When you get guys from a great winning program like Lopez it is always a huge bonus, as they are prepared and well drilled for the demands of college soccer," head coach Dan Balaguero said. "Credit goes to coach Escandon for the work he does with his players. As with all the players we have had from Lopez not only are Joe and Jorge tremendous players they are great kids."

Cantu, a forward, is the all-time leading scorer at Lopez with 82 goals in four years and scored the lone goal in a 3-1 loss in the state championship game. He was the District 32-5A Most Valuable Player with 32 goals last season.

"Jorge is a player who has been on my radar since I got here," Balaguero said. "He is a natural goal scorer, he is comfortable playing as a wide midfielder also. He has the ability to turn the game with his speed and skill. He is full of confidence and I expect him to be a impact player right away."
 
Cantu is excited to join the Scorpions.

"I am excited to be able to play with many players I know and also to be able to play for four years in front of family and friends," Cantu said. "I can't wait to get started and continue the winning tradition."

De Alba is a defender and four-year starter with the Lobos. He was All-Metro First  Team and All-Metro Defensive MVP. He scored eight goals during his senior year and 23 in his career.
 
"Joe is a great player, he is another player I have been looking at for a while," Balaguero said. "He is a great athlete with a very good understanding of the game. He is comfortable attacking the ball in the air, hard to beat one on one and distributes the ball well out of the back. He has all the qualities you look for in a defender. Look for Joe to be a  feature at right back and center back.

De Alba said he was "honored to be joining such a great program. I have been watching the Scorpions play for the last three years. To be able stay in Brownsville and play for this awesome program will be a dream come true. I'm excited to be playing with my former Lobos and also anxious to meet my new teammates.
 
They will join fellow Lobos Nestor Morales (midfield) and Mauricio Lugo (keeper) who joined in the spring.