In memory of teammate, Southwestern Randolph Cougars reach the top

Members of the Southwestern Randolph boys’ soccer team pose for photographers in front of many of the team’s fans after winning last week’s Class 4A state championship by defeating Newton-Conover in Greensboro. For more about the game, see Page B1. (Jann Ortiz / For Randolph Record)

GREENSBORO — The day before Southwestern Randolph’s boys’ soccer team went to play in the Class 4A state final, senior forward Fernando Hernandez had a promise to make.

Then for about two hours Friday, Hernandez played a big part in fulfilling that vow as the Cougars matched up with Newton-Conover.

“The emotions are just out of the roof,” Hernandez said. “A year ago, we were going through the worst things ever. Losing a brother, a teammate, a friend. The motivation gave us a lot.”

Playing in memory of former teammate Pedro Ortiz-Perez, the inspired Cougars put together a special game and completed their quest for greatness.

Southwestern Randolph defeated Newton-Conover 3-0 on Friday at Guilford College’s Appenzeller Field.

“I went to the grave (Thursday),” Hernandez said. “I told him, ‘Don’t worry, bro, I’m going to get you that ring.’ ”

Ortiz-Perez died in May 2024 from injuries suffered in an Asheboro shooting. He had been a starter on the Southwestern Randolph team.

The emotions of losing a teammate had swollen for more than a year, accompanied by on-field anguish when the Cougars reached the 2024 state final and lost.

But this team’s quest hadn’t been derailed, only paused.

“They wanted it for No. 8, Pedro,” Southwestern Randolph coach Jimmy Walker said. “The tears that these guys showed after the game, that’s all because we honored him the best way we could.”

Hernandez held up the No. 8 jersey during the awards ceremony. Walker displayed the jersey as he received the coach’s state championship plaque, then took his medal and presented it to Ortiz-Perez’s mother, Lupe Perez, who was in front of part of Southwestern Randolph’s cheering section.

Kevin Garcia, Fernando Hernandez and Chris Betancourt scored Southwestern Randolph’s goals. Goalkeeper Jonathan Perez made six saves for the shutout.

When the final seconds ticked off, the Cougars ran to their adoring fans, basically engulfing a security man who was overpowered in the celebration along the fence separating the crowd from the field.

Southwestern Randolph completed a 27-1 season.

“For them to come out on top and be able to honor his name,” Walker said. “They had a goal and the goal was not met last year, and for them to double down on that and come out and put the work in.”

Betancourt was a newcomer to the Southwestern Randolph team. He sensed what Ortiz-Perez meant to the Cougars.

“It’s amazing to see how much passion they got for him,” Betancourt said. “They do everything for him.”

Pedro-Ortiz died near the end of his sophomore year of school, so this would have been his senior season.

“We all promised we would get him a state championship ring,” Hernandez said.

The Cougars have embraced the attention during the postseason, the crowds turning out to watch and cheer.

The support pulled them along, encouraged them to do more and dig deeper.

“It hasn’t always been that way,” senior midfielder Brandon Tyl said. “It’s just not us fighting alone.”

Betancourt opened the scoring less than eight minutes into the game, assisted by Gio Hernandez. The score stayed at 1-0 after a Southwestern Randolph penalty kick was thwarted.

But less than five minutes before halftime, the Cougars struck twice. Garcia notched the game’s second goal after the Red Devils failed to clear the ball.

Then Hernandez produced his goal, with Yael Rebollar-Ortiz assisting.

“Their ball movement was good,” Newton-Conover coach Carlos Arias said.

The score stood at 3-0 at halftime – and never changed.

“That first half was amazing,” Walker said.

There were a few raindrops in the second half, but nothing could dampen the spirits of the Cougars.

Afterward, Hernandez thought about the joy this would have brought Ortiz-Perez.

“He would probably be going crazy right now,” said Hernandez, who was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.

Newton-Conover (24-2-3) surrendered a season-high goal total in the final.

Southwestern Randolph’s only loss this year came to Class 5A state champion Western Alamance.

What the soccer team accomplished was winning the first boys’ team state championship in any sport in Southwestern Randolph history.

“It’s a long time coming,” Walker said. “I can’t wait to see that banner hanging in our gym.”