BOYS SOCCER: Take a look at SOSA’s All-Area team

Brock Netter, Staff Writer

Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.

Two district champions, a handful of sectional title winners and a number of instant classic games … needless to say, this past boys soccer season was as successful as they come.

Southern Ohio Sports Authority was right there every step of the way, covering individual milestones, improbable feats and wins that changed history.

After a fun-filled year, take a look at our All-Area team, which consists of 25 area players who were at their best throughout the fall season.

M.J. Basham | Valley | Defender | Senior

In terms of goals allowed this season, Valley’s defense wasn’t quite as stout compared to last year. However, Basham was still as solid as ever. He led a defensive unit that gave up just nine goals in conference play, helping the Indians keep the SOC I title in the process, and in undefeated fashion. He was named the SOC I Defensive Player of the Year, a first-team all-district selection and a second-team All-Ohioan. 

Colt Buckle | Valley | Forward | Senior

Buckle’s legs got the ultimate workout throughout the fall, but never once did his level of play fall off. He was the leading rusher on the football team and piled up 16 touchdowns, while also taking over scoring duties on the soccer pitch. Leading the Indians to 12 wins alongside SOC I and sectional titles, he found the back of the net 12 times and had six assists. He was a first-team SOC I selection and a first-team all-district honoree.

Maddux Camden | Gallia Academy | Midfielder | Senior

Gallia was spoiled rich and possibly possessed the best passer in the area in Camden. Deadly with the ball at his feet, he had the ability to beat you 1-on-1 or set up a teammate to score, and his numbers showed that. He led the team in assists with 27, but was also second in goals with 31 as he helped the Blue Devils win their first-ever district championship. He was named first-team all-district for his efforts.

Ivan Chavez | Zane Trace | Forward | Sophomore 

The Pioneers were lucky to have three players up top who could strike for a goal at any time, but Chavez was arguably the most dangerous. Whether it was setting up a teammate or taking the shot himself, a goal usually followed. He set a new school record for assists in a season with 27 while additionally finding the goal himself 25 times. He was the co-SVC Player of the Year and a first-team all-district selection. 

Adam Crank | Minford | Midfielder | Senior

Crank is the definition of a leader. He was at the center of a team that defended its conference title and won a second consecutive district championship. The senior finished with 10 goals and 14 assists for the 16-win Falcons and was the calming sense in every storm. When you think about why Minford where it is as a program, think about Crank and the impact he leaves.

Keagen Daniels | Gallia Academy | Forward | Senior

Over the past five years, the Blue Devils’ program has been on the rise. But this senior class, led by Daniels, finally put it over the top. He was arguably the heart and soul of the team, and when things broke down, he became the go-to guy as he connected with the goal 36 times and dished out 22 assists for the 18-win Devils. He was named the OVC Player of the Year, first-team all-district and second-team All-Ohio. 

Connor Estep | Wheelersburg | Midfielder | Junior

Whether it was football or soccer, everything Estep touched turned to gold. Helping the Pirates win 17 games on the season, he was the ultimate teammate and continued to keep his teams on the winning track. He routinely set up his teammates to score, passing out 15 assists, but also took matters into his own hands by scoring 12 goals. He was named first-team SOC II and first-team all-district. 

Lucas Hanes | Unioto | Forward | Junior

A wizard and a soccer assassin all at once, Hanes has been carving through defenses and connecting with the back of the net with the greatest of ease throughout his career. The junior forward finished this season with 43 goals and 22 assists, both team-highs, while scoring the 100th goal of his career. He was the co-SVC Player of the Year, the Division II District Player of the Year and a first-team All-Ohioan.

Max Hagans | Wheelersburg | Forward | Junior

There’s good players, great players, special players, and then there’s Hagans. He’s been nothing short of spectacular ever since stepping onto the soccer pitch, and he isn’t slowing down. Leading his Pirates to an Elite Eight appearance, the junior forward ended the season with 47 goals and 19 assists, both team-highs. He was the SOC II Player of the Year, the Division III District Player of the Year and a first-team All-Ohioan.

Cody Hesler | North Adams | Forward | Senior

The Green Devils played teams tough all season long, and Hesler’s impact was a big reason why. Fearless up top and not afraid to take on an entire back line by himself, he connected with the back of the net 19 times. But he also showed unselfishness by dishing out 11 assists and helping his team to 12 wins and a sectional title. He was named all-SHAC and first-team all-district. 

Brady Jaunarajas | Athens | Forward | Senior

Speaking of lethal scorers, it is impossible to have this list and not mention Jaunarajas. It’s what he does best, and it led Athens all the way to a sectional title and a district final appearance. Over the course of the season, he netted 28 goals and dished out five assists. He was the only Bulldog to score more than 10 goals as he earned first-team all-district and second-team All-Ohio honors.

Jay Jenkins | Northwest | Forward | Junior

The Mohawks had been waiting all year for this season. The future is bright next year, and Jenkins is a big reason why. He had a huge spotlight on him and he made the most of his chances, connecting on a goal 22 times and passing out eight assists as he helped his team to 13 wins, putting the pressure on the SOC II. He was named first-team SOC II, first-team all-district and second-team All-Ohio.

Zachary Johnson | Ironton St. Joe | Forward | Senior

For those who have never watched Johnson in action, he is a special talent. Quick-footed, a fast decision-maker and a rocket of a foot, he had frequent flyer — pun intended — miles to the back of the net. Ending his Flyer career, he connected with the goal 44 times and 20 assists as he guided his team to 14 wins, a sectional title and a district final appearance. He was the SOC I Player of the Year, a first-team all-district selection and a second-team All-Ohioan. 

Kaiden Koch | Chillicothe | Forward | Junior

Chillicothe coach Mike McCorkle has been spoiled for the last 24 years with great players, and Koch is the latest example. He immediately made his impact felt and became the go-to guy when it was time to put a ball in the back of the net, doing so more than 15 times and dishing out his fair share of assists, leading the Cavaliers to 13 wins and the FAC championship. He was the FAC Player of the Year, the Division I District Player of the Year and a second-team All-Ohioan.

Caleb Lewis | Northwest | Forward | Junior

Because teams focused a lot on teammate Jay Jenkins, Lewis was the ultimate beneficiary of it. They worked off one another perfectly and it led the Mohawks all the way to a district final appearance. In the process, Lewis ended the season as the Mohawks’ leading scorer with 25 goals and led them in assists with 12. He was named first-team SOC II and first-team all-district.

Jaren Lower | South Webster | Forward | Senior

The Jeeps were a pesky team that gave some of the top teams problems, and Lower was the one leading the charge. The epitome of the word “relentless,” he attacked teams with controlled chaos and helped his team to victories over Minford, Alexander and South Point for a sectional championship. He was the main threat that opponents couldn’t slow down as he was named first-team SOC II, first-team all-district and second-team All-Ohio.

Myles Montgomery | Minford | Forward | Sophomore

Montgomery’s talent on the basketball court is no secret, but his skills on the soccer pitch are just as exceptional. He stepped into a role replacing the reigning Division III District Player of the Year in Zane Miller from last season, and crushed it. Leading his Falcons to a share of the SOC II alongside back-to-back sectional and district titles, he found the back of the net 21 times and passed out 12 assists. He was named first-team SOC II and first-team all-district. 

Charlie Neal | Minford | Defender | Senior 

Part of Minford’s identity over the past four years has been having a stingy defense that only gets better as the season progresses. Neal has been the leader of that back unit, and winning has followed. His efforts helped the Falcons win 16 games, a share of the SOC II crown and back-to-back district championships as they surrendered just 19 goals all year long. He was named SOC II Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team all-district selection.

Trey Pitzer | Lynchburg-Clay | Forward | Senior

Over the past six seasons, the Mustangs have had a different player each season lead them in scoring. This year was Pitzer’s turn, and he made the most of his chances. Leading his team to 12 wins and a SHAC championship, he finished the season with 16 goals and passed out nine assists in the process. He was named all-SHAC and first-team all-district. 

Caleb Redding | Fairfield Union | Forward | Junior 

Anytime Fairfield Union had a corner kick, chances are Redding was the main target. There’s no reason he wouldn’t be, considering he’s 6-foot-4. But he’s also crafty with the ball in the open field and always made the most of his chances. Leading the Falcons to 10 wins and a sectional final appearance, he ended the season with 25 goals and seven assists, earning honors as all-MSL and first-team all-district. 

Mason Siberell | Chillicothe | Midfielder | Senior

Success has followed Siberell with any sport that he plays, but soccer has been his bread and butter. He’s been a part of four straight FAC championships, helped his team make a sectional final this season, and took on a much bigger role as a senior captain continuing a tradition of winning. He was named all-FAC and first-team all-district.

Sam Simpson | Rock Hill | Forward | Senior

For those who never got the chance to see Simpson in action, you missed on one of the best scorers in Southern Ohio. Although the season’s results weren’t the ones desired for, the senior did everything possible to lift the Redmen at every turn. He’ll go down as the best scorer in school history after ending his career with 115 goals. He was named first-team OVC, first-team all-district and second-team All-Ohio. 

Mason Sims | Peebles | Forward | Senior

Even going back to last season, it was clear that Sims was dangerous. That didn’t change this fall as he took on a little bit more of a scoring role. But he still had no issues setting his teammates up for success. He connected on a goal 29 times and dished out 18 assists, leading the Indians to 12 wins and a sectional final appearance. He was named all-SHAC, first-team all-district and second-team All-Ohio. 

Nick Sylvia | Wheelersburg | Forward | Freshman

There’s no doubt about it, Sylvia is unquestionably the future of Wheelersburg soccer. He’s the only freshman on this list, and that isn’t by mistake. Forming the top scoring duo in Southern Ohio alongside Hagans, the freshman phenom connected with the goal on 43 different occasions and dished out 14 assists for the district champion Pirates. He was named first-team SOC II and first-team all-district. 

Cameron Thompson | Unioto | Defender | Junior

Step for step, there might not be a better defender in the area than Thompson. He was right there at every turn, and even when you thought he was beat, he never was. With the speed to catch anyone in the open field and the intelligence to get the ball without fouling, he led a defensive unit that surrendered just 16 goals all season. He earned all-SVC and first-team all-district honors. 

Honorable Mention Selections

Cory Reed, Peebles; River Pettigrew, Unioto; Jordan Harrington, Zane Trace; Ronnie Rowley, Fairfield Union; Connor Ball, Jackson; Nick Turner; Hillsboro; Owen Elswick, Logan Elm; Conner Bender, South Webster; Schlyar Srey, Chillicothe; Landon West, Lynchburg-Clay; Carson Wamsley, Gallia Academy; Luke Stout, Circleville; Emerson Yates, McClain; Bryson Burcham, Ironton St. Joe; Hunter Brown, North Adams; Jackson Schwamburger, Wheelersburg; Oren Harris, Piketon; Noah Schemake, Eastern Brown; Dalton Jackson, New Boston; Carson Moore, Waverly; Sekou Mara, Miami Trace, Michael Bennett, Western; Brayden Adams, Rock Hill; Logan McIntosh, Fairfield

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