By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
For the Kickapoo Chiefs, the program bar sits at the “championships and playoff victories” level.
Those expectations won’t change in 2021, and it’s easy to see why.
The Chiefs return their leading goal scorer, an all-state defender and several more varsity standouts from last season’s 14-3 squad.
“We expect to (contend) for a conference and district title,” said Chiefs coach Phil Hodge. “We have several guys with some varsity experience; we just need to take it game-to-game and not look ahead.”
Kickapoo will field a strong and experienced defensive unit.
Luke Courtney earned all-state honors and Ozark Conference Player of the Year as a junior. He’s a four-year varsity player who has developed into one of the area’s premier defenders since suffering an ACL injury as a freshman.
“Luke’s a physically imposing player and the ultimate competitor,” Hodge said. “He’ll provide senior leadership for us this fall and has high expectations not only for himself, but for our team.”
Senior Dawson Sozio returns in the net. He registered eight shutouts and earned the Ozark Conference Goalkeeper of the Year award as a junior.
“Dawson’s tough-minded, fearless and has a tremendous work ethic,” Hodge said.
Defender Zach Clark (all-conference in 2020) and midfielder Nick McDiarmid give the Chiefs additional senior leadership and experience.
“Zach has a calming presence on our back line and reads the game very well,” Hodge said. “He has a great soccer IQ, studies the game and is always looking to improve.”
McDiarmid can help the Chiefs win possession and create offense from the midfield.
“(Nick) plays extremely hard and doesn’t back down from a 50-50 ball,” Hodge said. “He can bring an attacking style in the middle of the field for us.”
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Kickapoo has developed a deep and talented junior class.
The Chiefs welcome back three players who earned all-conference honors as sophomores: Noah Marsh, Landon Keisker and Corbin Clay.
Hodge described Marsh as a “true center-mid” player.
Marsh had two memorable goals off the bench for Kickapoo last season. He scored the game-winner in districts against Waynesville and had a golden goal against Glendale in Kickapoo’s home tournament.
However, Marsh is a natural facilitator.
“Noah looks to have as few touches as possible and really wants to get his teammates involved,” Hodge said.
Keisker has earned varsity minutes since his freshman season.
“He’s a versatile player with big expectations for himself and our 2021 team,” Hodge said.
Clay emerged as a rising star during his sophomore season. The first team all-conference selection finished as Kickapoo’s leading goal scorer.
“He has definitely impressed this summer,” Hodge said. “Corbin leads by example and has been our most consistent (player) day in and day out this summer.”
Clay and the returning Chiefs will look to surpass Kickapoo’s 2020 goal total (47 goals in 17 games).
“This group has the ability to play some possession and keep the ball when they can, but we’ll also be able to attack or defend in key moments as well,” Hodge said.
Kickapoo adds more depth along its back line. Juniors Bradley Prost, Zach Hamilton and Dayne Brown were all JV starters and varsity reserves last season.
The trio’s poised for key roles on the varsity this fall.
“Bradley was a very dominating presence on our JV. He’s a very aggressive defender who looks to attack from the back as well,” Hodge said. “Zach also plays a (similar style) and doesn’t back down from any physical play.”
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“Dayne was a big piece to our JV who also got some varsity minutes. He’ll look to have a much bigger role this year.”
Kickapoo comes off its best season since 2016. The Chiefs finished 14-3 overall last season and went undefeated in the Ozark Conference.
After a quiet start, which included a two-week quarantine due to COVID-19, the Chiefs ripped off 11 straight wins.
That winning streak ended when the Chiefs lost 2-1 to Ozark in the district semifinal round. Kickapoo was seeking its first district title since 2017.
Kickapoo graduated a sizeable senior class. Forward Landon Howard and midfielder Spencer Sharpe were all-region selections in Class 4.
Also gone are Gavin Ellsworth (all-conference defender), Grayson McClure (all-conference midfielder), Tate Reed, Connor Selsor, Tyler Selsor and Evangel signee Matt Williams (defender).
To help fill in those gaps, the Chiefs have two younger players who could become immediate difference-makers.
As a freshman, midfielder Liam Olson shined on Kickapoo’s JV.
Heading into his sophomore season, Olson’s in line to aid Kickapoo’s center-mid spot.
“Liam really showed well this summer,” Hodge said. “He has an excellent soccer IQ, plays simple and has a motor that does not stop.”
Freshman Kai Jeager is a natural goal scorer.
“He’s consistently put himself in scoring situations this summer and scores (goals) emphatically,” Hodge said.
The Chiefs will host Glendale and Nixa in a jamboree scrimmage on August 24.
Kickapoo begins the regular season with weekend home games against Columbia Rock Bridge (August 27) and Columbia Hickman (August 28).
After playing all local last year due to COVID-19, Kickapoo’s revamped 2021 schedule features several games against out-of-area opponents.
The Chiefs play Chaminade (October 8), Marquette (October 9) and will compete in the Art Firley Tournament (October 15-16) in Jefferson City.
