By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The style may look a bit different this year, but the Logan-Rogersville boys’ soccer team has hope for the present and future heading into the 2020 season.
“The last several years we have been a very technical team. Although we are not as (technical) this year, we will work hard and frustrate attacks,” said Wildcats coach Brett Wubbena. “I’m excited to see our upperclassmen play and just as excited to see the next generation of players prove themselves and challenge the older ones.”
After winning 15 games last season, Logan-Rogersville returns a big senior class and several other players with varsity experience.
Goalkeeper Kobe Fisher leads Logan-Rogersville’s senior class. He earned All-Big 8 Honorable Mention as a junior and anchored a defense that posted eight clean sheets.
“He’s an outstanding goalkeeper and will help to solidify our defense,” Wubbena said.
The Wildcats return four senior defenders in Colton Sleeth, Wyatt Sleeth, Justin Powell and Peyton Prenger.
“Colton’s a solid defender and hard to beat,” Wubbena said. “Wyatt has good speed and is difficult to get past. Justin’s solid and disciplined.”
Prenger didn’t play last season after moving into Logan-Rogersville’s district. He previously started varsity at nearby rival Springfield Catholic.
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“Peyton’s an outstanding defender who could really play anywhere on the field,” Wubbena said. “He will do a great job of anchoring our defense and will allow us to play out from the back.”
Seniors Jon Fetters and Conner Lee return in the midfield.
“Conner’s improved every year and we look for more of that this year,” Wubbena said. “Jon has great ball control, sees the field and loves to assist other players. He played the most minutes of anyone on our team. He has worked hard all offseason and I’m confident he’ll have a great year.”
Senior Hunter Wray is back at forward for the Wildcats.
“He reads the ball well and makes sneaky runs to get opportunities on goal,” Wubbena said.
The junior class features Sage Ballard, Rylen Ballard and Isaac Eichenberger.
Sage Ballard is Logan-Rogersville’s top returning scorer. He finished with 18 goals and 14 assists last season. The 14 assists tied the program’s single-season record.
“Sage has outstanding ball control, knows where the goal is, is unselfish and can beat anyone,” Wubbena said. “He was a big part of our attack last season. Sage and Austin Revels (who graduated) were our main attack threats that worked so well together. We will see if Sage can connect with his teammates this year to continue his success.”
If Sage doesn’t set the program assists record this season, it’s because his brother, Rylen, might do it first, Wubbena said.
Rylen’s likely to move from defense to midfield this season.
“(Rylen’s) strength is in the midfield,” Wubbena said. “He sees the field extremely well and has outstanding ball control.”
Midfielder Calvin Jones worked his way into a starting role as a freshman.
“He got better every game,” Wubbena said. “This offseason, he’s continued to get better.”
The Wildcats are seeking their fifth straight winning season after finishing 15-8 overall in 2019. Logan-Rogersville finished with its most wins since 2012 and set a program record for single-season winning percentage (65.2%).
The Wildcats graduated a five-player senior class in Austin Revels, Kyle Carter, Brayton Knight, Stephen Terrell and Mason Hill.
Revels led the Wildcats in goals (29) and leaves as the program’s leader in career assists. Wubbena described Knight as a “work horse” and Terrell as the “rock of the defense.”
Logan-Rogersville has several new names pushing for varsity playing time, starting with juniors Silas Roderick and Dmitry Vedernikov.
Sophomores include midfielders Jeremiah Todd and Tyler Stewart, along with defenders Luke Ozias and Farres Abdel-Nabie.
Logan-Rogersville also adds a promising freshmen class that features Stewart McDonald, Bryce Marshall and Caleb Vogt.
“McDonald will likely challenge for a starting spot as a freshman,” Wubbena said. “He has good skills, speed and awareness.”
Logan-Rogersville’s modified offseason saw players mostly train on their own or in small groups, Wubbena said.
“Most of our guys did our summer (program) with speed and agility training,” Wubbena said. “Those who play club ball started to play more (games) in July.”
The Wildcats open the regular season on September 1 at home against Springfield Central.
