By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Lebanon Yellowjackets continued its rebuilding process during the 2022 season and hope that work will pay off in 2023.
“We felt like we were playing our best soccer at the end of the season and that really set the tone for our offseason,” said Matt Jernigan, who enters his 14th season as the boys’ head coach. “We have had a lot higher turnout at our offseason workouts and all the boys are ready to get going this season.”
The Yellowjackets, who last won a district title in 2020, fielded young squads in 2021 (8-17) and 2022 (6-18). The 2023 team will still be young with the return of six juniors who have another year of varsity experience to draw from this season.
Noah Anderson, junior, forward/midfielder – 5 goals and 1 assist. “Noah is a skilled player who loves the game,” Jernigan said. “He has been working hard in the offseason and playing club soccer. He will be a vital part of our team this year and has the talent to take a big step forward this season.”
Brock Piercy, junior, midfielder/defender – “Brock is an athlete. We can play him anywhere on the field and feel confident in his ability. He will be all over the field for us this year and we will be looking for him to be a leader, as well.”
Chris Kilburn, junior, midfielder – “Chris is another athlete who we are excited about. He has spent two years in the midfield for us and has done a great job. He is a competitor and willing to take on any task we ask. This year, he will be in the midfield, but also our backup keeper.”
Ethan Fisher, junior, defender – “Ethan is a great young man on and off the field. He works hard to improve, and it has shown this offseason. He has gotten faster and really improved his endurance. He will be looking to fill a defense or midfield position this year.”
Jacob Reagan, junior midfielder – Earned Class 4 All-District 5 honorable mention and All-Ozark Conference honorable mention recognition. “Jacob is going to be a leader for us this year. He really stepped up last year and filled a defender role that we really were lacking. Jacob is always at the field or playing club trying to improve his game. He has high goals and has been putting in the work to achieve those goals. He is already receiving college interest and we expect him to have a breakout season wherever he is used on the field.”
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Cameron Derenbecher, junior, forward – “Cameron is a speedster. He was a great spark for us last season and will be looked at to fill a bigger role this year in our attack.”
Lebanon has several newcomers who coach Jernigan will be looking at to take on larger roles and contribute on the varsity level this fall.
Owyn Barcus, sophomore, goalkeeper – “Owyn was our backup keeper last year and is looking to step into the starting role after the graduation of Clayton Frazier,” Jernigan said. “Owyn is incredibly athletic and has been learning the keeper position this offseason. He has looked really good in goal this summer and we are excited to see what he can do in the fall.”
Curtis Frazier, sophomore, defender – “Curtis is a strong young man and had a great year as a freshman on varsity last year. He solidified himself throughout last year as a strong defender and someone that we will be leaning on to lead us this year.”
Nathan Falzone, sophomore, midfielder – “Nathan saw some time on varsity as a freshman last year and has had a great offseason. We are looking for him to have a bigger role this year.”
William Hodges, sophomore, defender – “Will has a motor that is next-level. He never stops working and isn’t afraid to take on the other team’s best player. He has had a great offseason and we are looking for him to step up to the varsity level this year.”
Jordan Light, senior, defender – “Jordan is a hard worker and is looking to contribute at the varsity level this season. He has had a great offseason and will be looked at to lead this year. Jordan has committed to play college soccer at Baptist Bible College in Springfield next year.
“We also have several freshmen that are looking to compete for a varsity spot this year including Josh Rogers, Tyler Jones and several others,” Jernigan added. “They had a great middle-school career and are looking to continue that into the high school season.”
With that combination of returning starters and players with varsity experience, Jernigan says the Yellowjackets look a lot deeper this season.
“We have several guys who can compete for a varsity spot, and we think that competition will be good for all of our players,” Jernigan said. “We will still be young with not a big senior class, but we have a lot of guys with varsity experience.”
The Yellowjackets do lose the experience with the graduation of all-district and all-conference goalkeeper Clayton Frazier, defender Dylan Jamieson (now playing at Baptist Bible College), midfielder and four-year player Trevor Mients, and all-district and all-conference forward Tomasso Sernia.
Lebanon will kick things off in the jamboree at Camdenton with Branson and Bolivar on Aug. 18, before opening the regular season by hosting the Lebanon Kickoff Tournament on Aug. 25-26.
“We have a lot of guys who have been very committed over the offseason and have improved their game a lot from last year,” Jernigan said. “We know that they have put in the work, so we are hoping to see the fruits of that this season.”
