By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Kickapoo Chiefs have dominated area soccer the last two seasons.
But they face a big challenge: Maintaining that high standard with new players.
Kickapoo will have a revamped look after graduating a number of key players who led the Chiefs to 25 wins and back-to-back Class 4 district titles last year.
“This team will definitely have a different identity than last year’s team,” said Chiefs coach Phil Hodge. “It will be exciting to see the identity this team makes for itself. It’s early, but this group may play a bit more possession-style.”
Varsity returnees Liam Olson, Dane Prost and Daeton Sozio will try to ensure Kickapoo continues its winning ways.
Olson, a senior, will fuel the Chiefs’ offense from the center midfield.
“Liam is extremely comfortable with the ball at his feet and has an incredible feel for the game,” Hodge said. “He can score, but he really excels in setting up his teammates to score. Liam is our most experienced player at the varsity level this season and we will rely on him to be a leader on and off the field.”
Prost, a junior forward, is Kickapoo’s top returning scorer. He tallied 23 goals in Kickapoo’s star-studded lineup last year and figures to become the team’s go-to attacker this fall.
“Dane has had a great summer and will get our offense going this season,” Hodge said. “He is an attack-minded player and loves to create 1-v-1 situations to set himself up for a scoring opportunity.”
Sozio, a senior defender, will be counted upon to lead Kickapoo’s new-look backline.
“He is a quiet leader for us on our backline and he lets his play do the talking,” Hodge said. “(Sozio) got significant minutes on our backline last year with a team full of seniors and did a great job. We’re eager to see his leadership and hard-nosed defending this fall.”
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Kickapoo must replace a stellar senior class.
Led by all-state selections Miles Elliot (defender), Bradley Prost (defender), Landon Keisker (forward) and Corbin Clay (forward), the Chiefs finished 25-3 overall last season and repeated as district champions.
Since 2021, Kickapoo has gone 33-1 versus local competition.
Keisker, Clay and Elliott will continue their soccer careers at Truman State.
Kickapoo graduated four other players who earned all-conference honors: Zack Hamilton (defender), Dayne Brown (defender), Noah Marsh (midfield) and Grant Tyndall (midfield). Also gone are Connor Burks and Elijah Boss.
Several former reserves will be elevated into Kickapoo’s varsity lineup.
Seniors Benny Arbeitman (forward) and Jackson Howser (defender) will help with scoring and defense, respectively.
“Benny has performed well this summer and is ready for his chance to be a scorer at the varsity level,” Hodge said. “He can also create scoring chances for his teammates.
“Jackson is a tough, strong, defender and becoming more comfortable in making runs from the backline and getting involved in the attack when needed.”
Garrett Arroyo and Ben Musa give Kickapoo positional flexibility.
“Garrett might be asked to play several different positions for us this fall,” Hodge said. “He is not afraid of contact on a 50-50 tackle on the defensive third, but he can also help with possession on the offensive third as well.
“Ben is extremely athletic and may find himself in a much different role this fall than what he has done in the past. With time we can narrow down his spot, but he may play more defensively this season.”
Ethan Hoffman brings a powerful leg to Kickapoo’s defensive unit, while Jaren Smith could emerge as a dynamic playmaker.
“Ethan has a big, strong left foot that can be a threat to score from distance,” Hodge said. “Jaren is the definition of facilitator and has a pass-first mentality. He can keep possession and make the simple pass to help our team move the ball.”
Tucker Phillips (goalkeeper), Garrett Stanley (defender) and Davis Cowger (defender) will also contribute to Kickapoo’s reshuffled defensive unit.
“Tucker has looked very strong this summer. He is athletic and not afraid to come off his line to intercept a ball in the air,” Hodge said. “Garrett is an excellent communicator and helps his teammates by being that consistent vocal leader.
“Davis has worked hard to get stronger and be more physical. He has a high soccer IQ and understands the game very well.”
Freshman Keegan Bilbao will add another chapter to the sibling legacy as he joins Kickapoo’s program. His older brother (Aidan) and older sister (Abby) played for Kickapoo.
“As a freshman, Keegan has good size and a very good read for the game,” Hodge said. “He has a great first touch and can slow the game down for us and look to connect the right pass at the right moment.”
Kickapoo will host a three-team jamboree with Nixa and Glendale on Aug. 22.
The Chiefs begin the regular season Aug. 26 with a home doubleheader against Columbia schools Rock Bridge and Hickman.
