By Chris Parker
There are many talented soccer players across our coverage area. Below are some of the boys soccer players to watch this season.
NOTE: The athletes are listed in alphabetical order.
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Keanu Baguio, Catholic Senior
Catholic soccer has a host of seniors returning to the team this year, and Baguio will be at the head of the offensive attack for the Irish. He earned honorable mention all-state honors as a forward in addition to all-region, all-district and all-conference honors.
Sage Ballard, Rogersville Senior
Ballard is a gifted offensive talent for the Wildcats. He was named Class 2 First-Team All-State at forward. In addition, he was named the Class 2 Region 2 Offensive Player of the Year. Rogersville coach Brett Wubbena called Ballard the “best ball handler I’ve seen”.
Spencer Chevalier, New Covenant Senior
New Covenant earned a trip to the Final Four for the first time in program history last year. Chevalier was a big reason why. He tallied 18 goals and 5 assists last year. He will look to set up his teammates even more this year, as New Covenant wants him to increase his assist total. He was named honorable mention all-state as a forward.
Luke Courtney, Kickapoo Senior
Courtney is on the short list for the area’s top returning player. He was named second-team all-state as a defender. He was also the Ozark Conference Player of the Year, Class 4 Region 3 Co-Defensive Player of the Year and the Class 4 District 11 Defensive Player of the Year. He is a physically imposing player that will provide senior leadership for Kickapoo.
Carlton Epps, Branson Senior
There may not be a better pure scorer in the Ozarks than Carlton Epps. Last season, Epps scored 44 goals and added 15 assists. He needs just five goals and 14 assists this year to establish new Branson records. He was named Class 3 First-Team All-State as a forward in addition to the Class 3 Region 3 Offensive Player of the Year.
Adrian Garrido, Carthage Senior
Garrido will have a lot of responsibility fall on his shoulders this year. He is Carthage’s lone returning forward after he led the team in scoring as a junior. Last year, he was named all-conference, all-district and all-region. He earned Class 4 District 12 Co-Offensive Player of the Year honors.
Camden Meyer, Glendale Senior
Glendale’s defense has the luxury of returning the Class 3 Goalkeeper of the Year Camden Meyer this season. The Class 3 First-Team All-State selection is a technically sound keeper who has grown into a leadership role. He was also named the Class 3 Region 3 Goalkeeper of the Year.
Carson Morgan, Catholic Senior
Morgan will anchor the Catholic backline this year. He was named Class 3 Second-Team All-State as a defender last year. He also earned all-region, all-conference and all-district honors for his efforts on the Catholic defense.
Jose Ortega, Ozark Senior
Ortega will be Ozark’s top attacker and most dynamic player in his senior season. The Class 4 District 11 Offensive Player of the Year will be the key to Ozark’s success from his midfield spot. He was also a first-team all-conference and all-region selection last season.
Alex Spence, Glendale Senior
Spence is a relentless force in the midfield for Glendale. He scored 19 goals and added 13 assists last year on his way to Class 3 First-Team All-State honors. He was also named all-region and first-team all-conference.
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OTHERS TO WATCH
River Adams, Bolivar Senior
Andrei Balanean, Glendale Junior
Rylen Ballard, Rogersville Senior
Brayan Barboza, Branson Senior
Hunter Burton, Crocker Senior
Corbin Clay, Kickapoo Junior
Gauge Fleschute, Laquey Junior
Julian Hom, Central Junior
George Laytham, Carthage Junior
Andrew Lewis, Bolivar Senior
Hunter McCullough, West Plains Senior
Faheem Mujahid, Waynesville Junior
Carson Palmer, Nixa Junior
Juan Perez, Neosho Junior
Luke Richards, Bolivar Senior
Mason Shaw, Laquey Junior
Dawson Sozio, Kickapoo Senior
Grant Thompson, Camdenton Senior
Gage Vehr, Catholic Junior
Ashton Vinton, Catholic Senior
