The Clements Rangers have been good for years, but this year they’ve managed to take their play up even another notch en route to their ninth consecutive district championship.

Last year they had three ties on their otherwise spotless 23-5A record but this season they still were undefeated and untied going into Friday’s game against Fort Bend Austin.

Hightower presents the Rangers were their last real regular-season test before closing out the district race with matches against Willowridge and Bush. Then it’s on to the playoffs, where the Rangers will be looking to advance to the Class 5A state tournament.

Anything else would be a disappointment for this talented bunch.

ABOUT THE GAME

Matchup: Hightower vs. Clements

When: 7 p.m. Tuesday

Where: Kempner Stadium

What’s at stake: A final tuneup for the postseason for Clements, which took the first match against Hightower 3-0. The Hurricanes were second in district going into their match Friday against Dulles, another team in playoff position going into the home stretch. Hightower beat Dulles and Elkins in the first round, but with matches against both in the final handful of games, it’s still jockeying for playoff position.Hightower beat Dulles and Elkins in the first round, but with matches against both in the final handful of games, it’s still jockeying for playoff position.

Hightower players to watch: MF/F Sebastian Ibeagha, D Yannick Iwunze, D Zach Sanders, D Cain Ramirez, MF Jose Serrano

Clements players to watch: F Andy McDaniel, F Zach Wolf, MF Brian Heitzer, MF Matty Reed, D Mitch Matthews

TEAM HIGHLIGHTS

Hightower: The Hurricanes made the playoffs for the first time in school history last year, using a key 3-2 win over Elkins and a pair of 1-1 ties against powerhouses Clements and Fort Bend Austin to finish third in 23-5A. … They didn’t just settle for making the playoff last year, either, defeating Clear Brook 2-1 in the bi-district round before falling to North Shore. … Hightower carried that momentum into this season, when it’s been more about where it will finish in the playoff order than if it will make the playoffs for the second consecutive year. … The Hurricanes beat Dulles 3-1 in the first round of district thanks to two goals by senior MF David Garcia. They also topped Elkins 3-2 on the road behind a pair of goals by Yannick Iwunze. They also topped Elkins 3-2 on the road behind a pair of goals by Yannick Iwunze.

Clements: The Rangers won the first meeting with Hightower 3-0, receiving goals from three different players in Brian Heitzer, Matty Reed and Chandler Mott. … Hightower was one of three teams to pick up a tie against Clements in district last season. Hightower actually led their first-round meeting last year 1-0 at halftime before Pablo Morillo provided the equalizer in the second half. … The Rangers advanced to the Region III-5A semifinals last season before being upset by surprise team Katy 2-1 in extra time. They beat Clear Creek, Deer Park and North Shore to reach the fourth round. … Andy McDaniel led the team with 17 goals going into Friday’s match against Austin. They beat Clear Creek, Deer Park and North Shore to reach the fourth round. … Andy McDaniel led the team with 17 goals going into Friday’s match against Austin.