By Kai Raymer
The Kickapoo High School boys’ soccer team needs some new leaders to step up and lead the charge following the graduation of a senior class that included the Ozark Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Year and the Ozark Conference MVP.
Senior leadership was instrumental last season for the Chiefs, who beat Central 2-1 for a district championship before falling 3-1 to Ozark in the state sectional round and finishing 19-8 overall.
Gone are varsity stalwarts like midfielder Ian Hansen (OC Co-Offensive Player of the Year, second team all-state in Class 4), midfielder Cole Johnson (conference MVP) and defender Zach Peters (first team All-OC). Honorable mention All-OC defender Tyler Shrum also graduated.
“It seemed as if Hansen, Johnson, Peters were around for six years,” said Chiefs coach Phil Hodge. “They will be missed not only from their soccer ability but they were great young men and were tremendous leaders for us. The three combined for a ton of varsity experience and minutes.
“For us, it’s next guy up.”
While the Chiefs graduated four all-conference performers, they do return three in that category this season as well.
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Juniors Jacob Holman (GK) and Jaxon Riddle (F/MF) were second team All-OC selections last season. Riddle had a bit of breakout season for the Chiefs, brining speed and playmaking ability to the Chiefs’ attack.
“Jaxon is a very crafty playmaker and looks to score goals every time the ball is on his foot,” Hodge said.
Holman has the looks of a rising star, with a 6’3” frame and a wingspan that Hodge jokingly described as “covering the entire goal.”
“Jacob continues to impress in the goal during our preseason workouts and games,” Hodge said. “Jacob has a dominating physical presence in the goal. He’s a leader on and off the field for us.”
Seniors Deuce Vandaveer (MF/F) and the versatile Zac Salyers (D/MF/F) will be two of the more experienced players for the Chiefs, who look to have a number of underclassmen playing significant roles this season.
“Deuce will be a vocal leader for us,” Hodge said. “Zac might play every position for us this fall. Zac is extremely athletic and very fast with the ball or without the ball. He can be a lock down defender or be a threat offensively.”
Senior Derek Myers provided great depth off the bench last season, scoring the equalizer in the Chiefs’ district-title win over Central, and looks to be a major factor defensively this season.
Sophomores Cole Peebles and Aiden Bilbao earned varsity minutes as freshmen and are pushing for increased production in 2017. Hodge praised Bilbao’s soccer IQ and said Peebles could be one of the team’s top playmakers.
“Aiden has a soccer brain like no one else on the team. He’s a versatile player as his first touch is solid and field awareness is impressive,” Hodge said. “Cole has the ability to change the game with the ball on his foot and dictate the pace of play for our team. While he is soft spoken, his play demands everyone’s attention.”
Sophomore Luke Boyd (F/MF) has caught Hodge’s eye during the offseason with his impressive play and will be a factor at forward for the Chiefs.
Hodge said he’s still assessing team personnel. Although the Chiefs shifted away from their traditional possession-based style in favor of a direct, up-tempo style last season, their style for 2017 remains to be seen.
“Each year is a different team,” Hodge said. “We are working to identify our strengths and weaknesses and decide our style based off of our personnel.”
Kickapoo hosts a jamboree on Tuesday, Aug. 15. The Chiefs open the regular season with a weekend homestand against Columbia Rock Bridge (Aug. 18) and Springfield Catholic (Aug. 19).
