By Chris Parker
There are many talented boys soccer players across our coverage area that features more than 30 teams. Below are some of the top boys soccer players to watch this season
This watchlist can be found in print in the Fall O-Zone Preview Magazine available later this week at all southwest Missouri Casey’s general stores.
Jack Gintz, Glendale Senior
Gintz will be a leader for Glendale’s defense this year after a strong junior year. He was named Class 3 All-Region 3, along with the Class 3 District 10 Defensive Player of the Year. Gintz also earned All-Ozark Conference Second-Team honors.
Hugh McWay, Greenwood Senior
McWay is one of the area’s top returning offensive threats after he scored 16 goals and had 14 assists last year. His efforts earned him Class 1 All-State First-Team honors and Class 1 Region 3 Co-Offensive Player of the Year. McWay will be back in the midfield this year.
Jonathan Perez, Monett Senior
Perez missed games with an injury last year, but he still earned Class 2 All-State Honorable Mention and Class 2 All-Region 3 honors. He will be a key at forward for Monett, if the Cubs are hoping to extend their district championship streak to nine.
Zach Richards, Lebanon Senior
Richards is going to go down as one of the best players in Lebanon history. The senior earned Class 4 All-State Honorable Mention honors last year. He scored 35 goals and added in 11 assists. The 35 goals are a single-season record for Lebanon. His 70 career goals and 23 assists are also both program records.
Diego Vargas, Neosho Senior
Vargas is a leader for Neosho in the midfield. He was named the Class 3 Southwest Region Player of the Year as he helped Neosho to the Class 3 inal four. Vargas was one of just three area players to earn first-team all-state honors in Class 3.
Dake Winslow, New Covenant Senior
Winslow earned Class 1 All-State Second-Team honors as a junior. The senior midfielder/forward led New Covenant with 20 goals and seven assists. He also was named all-region and all-district after helping New Covenant to a 14-7-2 overall record.
Noe Winston, Central Senior
Winston is one of the area’s top returning goal scorers. His 25 goals last year helped Central post a 15-7 overall record and win a district championship last year. Winston was named first-team all-conference and all-region.
Kayden Wood, Neosho Senior
Wood earned second-team all-state honors and was named Class 3 Southwest Region Goalkeeper of the Year last season. He keyed a Neosho defense that advanced to the Class 3 final four where the Wildcats finished fourth. Wood keyed a defense that posted 10 shutouts.
Others to Watch
Zach Bailey, Greenwood Senior
Sage Ballard, Rogersville Junior
Cooper Clark, Greenwood Senior
Raif Fullerton, Bolivar Senior
Adrian Garrido, Carthage Junior
Wyatt Helm, Central Senior
Drake Lightfoot, Republic Junior
Joshua Patino, Monett Senior
Nick Reid, Nixa Senior
