MaxPreps Soccer Tour of Champions celebrates Brockton High School

The 13th Annual MaxPreps Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard passed through New England, or more specifically, Brockton, Massachusetts on Friday, Jan. 12 to recognize the Brockton (Mass.) boys soccer team for winning the MIAA Division I state championship and finishing No. 54 in MaxPreps' National Rankings.

Brockton fans were stirring as the buzzer sounded to signal the end of the first half of play against Durfee, partly because of a competitive game, but also in anticipation of the party that was about to unfold. With an excited and basketball welcoming crowd in attendance, MaxPreps and the Massachusetts Army National Guard took center stage to honor the 23-2-2 Brockton boys soccer team.

As Boxer soccer players gathered behind him, athletic director Kevin Karo opened the ceremony by telling the story of a challenge he made to all Brockton High School sports teams at the beginning of the school year. Karo set before each team the goal of being the first to bring home a championship banner. Boxer coach Herminio Furtado's club then went out and upended Longmeadow 5-3 in the state championship contest.

Karo handed the microphone over to MaxPreps Representative Jon Van Riper, who began by talking about MaxPreps, the history of the Tour of Champions, and the prestige of the Army National Guard's national ranking trophy. After listing some of Brockton's on-field accomplishments, and congratulating the team on earning its national ranking, Van Riper introduced Sergeant First Class Gabriel Amaral of the Massachusetts Army National Guard.

SFC Amaral, an alumnus of Brockton High School, praised the team for its talent and hard work before presenting the prestigious trophy to Furtado. With Boxer fans cheering in support, the Brockton boys soccer team walked over to view their recently displayed championship banner.

Following the ceremony, MaxPreps caught up with Furtado and captains Brendan Gomes and Derick Depina, who talked about the adversity they faced throughout the season, especially after falling behind 2-0 in the first half of the state championship game. When asked how his team overcame the two-goal deficit, Furtado said: "They needed to go out and earn it. "

Congratulations to Coach Furtado and the Brockton Boxers for their national ranking and for their 2017 championship season! Click here to view the Brockton TOC photo gallery and for more information about the Soccer TOC, please visit the MaxPreps Tour of Champions site.