Brahman players celebrate with their trophy. [Photo courtesy OHS Boys Soccer]

OKEECHOBEE- The Okeechobee High School Brahman varsity soccer team is coming back from the district playoffs with a district runners-up trophy after falling to Merritt Island in the championship round.

To get to that championship game, the Brahmans had to stack back-to-back wins in the quarterfinal and semifinal games.

Okeechobee hosted the Fort Pierce Westwood Panthers in the opening round of the playoffs on Jan. 25. The Brahmans defeated the Panthers 5-2, with recent Big Lake Athlete of the Week winner Tony Zamora leading the team with two goals. Julio Leal, Victor Cardoso, Deni Yanez  each had a goal of their own while Cristian Diaz had two assists.

The win advanced Okeechobee to the district semifinals where they faced the Bayside Bears on Jan. 29. Last year the Brahmans were in the same exact position, in the semifinals facing Bayside with a chance to go to the championship. And last year, the Bears beat Okeechobee 1-0 to send them home early.

This year, though, the script was completely different. The Brahmans dominated the game, shutting out the Bears 5-0. Elias Garcia, Santiago Gonzales, Leal, Diaz, and Zamora each scoring a goal.  Yanez led the team with four assists.

The regional tournament is set to begin, with the regional quarterfinals starting Feb. 6.