By Staff

Fall 2019 Preview: Kickapoo Soccer

By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

The expectations for the 2019 season, as with every season for the Kickapoo boys’ soccer program, are to win a district championship.

And, in two of the last three seasons, the Chiefs have done just that.

In 2016, Kickapoo defeated Central 1-0 for the Class 4 District 9 title, before falling to Ozark in the sectional round. In 2017, the Chiefs got past Waynesville 4-3 in the District 9 championship and advanced all the way to the Class 4 final four, which ended with a fourth-place finish. And in 2018, the Chiefs fell just short of a third-straight district title with a 1-0 loss to Ozark in the District 10 final.

Key pieces to that run – lost to graduation – include the highly decorated trio of Jacob Holman, Jaxson Riddle and Garrett Whorton.

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• Honors in 2018 for Jacob Holman, a goalkeeper, included being a Class 4 All-State Second-Team selection, All-Southwest/Central Region, Class 4 District 10 First-Team and Goalkeeper of the Year, and All-Ozark Conference First-Team and Co-Goalkeeper of the Year. Holman is now playing at Drury University.

“Jacob brought four years of varsity experience and a great deal of leadership on and off the field,” said head coach Phil Hodge, who is a combined 385-209-8 (boys and girls) entering his 13th season at Kickapoo.

• Jaxson Riddle, a forward, was an All-Southwest/Central Region team pick, Class 4 District 10 First-Team, All-Ozark Conference First-Team and All-OC Co-Offensive Player of the Year.

• Garrett Whorton, a midfielder, was named to the all-district and all-conference second teams.

The Chiefs have a solid group returning highlighted by nine seniors, who have had a taste of postseason success.

• Aidan Bilbao, a midfielder, was a Class 4 District 10 and All-Conference First-Team selection, and a three-year starter for the Chiefs. “We are looking for Aidan to be a leader for us on and off the field,” Hodge said. “He has three years of varsity experience that will help our team prepare to be the best we can be.”

• Luke Boyd, forward, an all-district and all-conference second-team pick. “Luke is a versatile player that has the ability to play an offensive or defensive role for us.”

• Joey Cockrell, midfielder. “Joey will look to contribute in the midfield this fall.”

• Carson Shore, goalkeeper. “Carson has done a tremendous job for us in the JV goal for the last three seasons. He has worked extremely hard in the offseason in the weight room and is motivated to have a successful season his senior year.”

• Aiden Pezzani, midfielder. “Aiden is a possession-style midfielder that has a great field awareness.”

• Caden Wehner, defender. “Caden is also versatile as he is extremely athletic and has the ability to be a lockdown defender and win some battles in the defensive end.”

• Matthew Griesemer, defender. “Matthew has played in a defensive role for us the last two years. He may look to get forward for us this year as well.”

• Cooper Hutfless and Colton Crawford also are returning seniors.

Other returning contributors include:

• Spencer Sharpe, a junior defender, who was an all-district and all-conference second-team selection. “Spencer is a tall, strong defender who is willing to win the tough 50/50 balls to keep the ball out of our defensive end.”

• Grayson McClure, a junior all-conference honorable mention pick. “Grayson also has some versatility as he can play several positions when needed to.”

• Luke Courtney, a sophomore defender. “Luke is coming back from an ACL tear after showing very well as a freshman.”

Heading into 2019, Hodge says the Chiefs’ strength is “strength in numbers, as we are looking at having 55 kids trying out. Each position will be competitive top to bottom.”

Kickapoo will host a jamboree that includes Glendale and Nixa on Aug. 27, before hosting its season-opening games against Columbia Rock Bridge and Columbia Hickman on Aug. 30-31.