Brock Netter, Editor
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
A regional champion, two regional finalists, five district champions, 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 35 area players who were at their best throughout the fall season.
Elliott Allsop | Sophomore | Striker | Unioto
For the next two years, Unioto could possess two of the best strikers in the area and Allsop leads the way. The SVC Player of the Year led the Shermans to a district title this season, finding the back of the net a team-high 31 times while dishing out 15 assists, earning himself All-Ohio honors. He’s only going to get better.
Hunter Barnard | Senior | Striker | South Webster
Special. That’s what Barnard is on the pitch, and South Webster followed his lead this season — all the way to another district championship. In the process, Barnard tallied a program-record 49 goals, breaking his own high mark in the process. He leaves the program with over 100 career goals and another All-Ohio campaign under his belt.
Thatcher Brown | Senior | Midfielder | Jackson
Jackson won its first-ever outright FAC title, and much of that had to do with Brown’s play in the midfield. He provided a relaxing approach in chaos, kept his guys together through adversity, and was a vocal leader on a district title team that won a school-record 17 games. He was an all-FAC and first-team all-district honoree.
Landon Burns | Senior | Striker | Miami Trace
Miami Trace continues to take steps towards success as a program. That doesn’t, and wouldn’t have, happened without players like Burns. With the unique ability to take over any match he played in, Burns was always dangerous with the ball at his feet. He was an all-FAC selection and earned an All-Ohio honor, leading the Panthers to nine wins.
Breyden Byrd | Senior | Keeper | Wheelersburg
He’s the best in Ohio at his position, period. Most of the players on this list are known for finding the back of the net. Bryd, on the other hand, made his name by stopping those shots from connecting. Behind his elite skills in between the pipes, he pitched 12 shutouts this season — 47 in his career — for the regional-champion Pirates and came up with 47 saves, earning All-Ohio honors.
CREDIT: Brock Netter/SOSA
Sam Byrd | Senior | Defender | Chillicothe
Pound for pound, Byrd is one of the toughest kids you’re going to find in Southern Ohio. He plays with passion, backs down from no one, and takes no prisoners. While Chillicothe hit a major speed bump this year with nearly everyone graduating from an Elite 8 run in 2024, Byrd has been a fixture of the program and his presence will be tough to replace.
Preston Call | Senior | Striker | North Adams
For the last three seasons, Call and company have been knocking on the door of greatness. This year, they kicked it open and Call produced. The senior was a nightmare for defenses, finding the back of the net on 20 occasions and dishing 10 assists, helping his team to 18 wins and its first-ever regional final appearance.
Beckett Camden | Senior | Striker | Gallia Academy
When Camden left the pitch for the final time, there wasn’t much he hadn’t done as a Blue Devil. The All-Ohioan and OVC Player of the Year tallied 28 goals this fall alongside 14 assists, pacing his Blue Devils to 16 wins and a district final appearance. Camden ends his career with 88 goals and 43 assists during a four-year run that saw two district titles.
Zarian Canter | Senior | Striker | Waverly
Every single night, Canter brought his A-game. He was a leader, a player worth the price of admission and he was a one-man wrecking crew at times … So much so, he scored seven goals in a single game, twice. His knack for finding the back of the net led to all-SOC and first-team all-district honors.
Christian Copen | Senior | Midfielder | Valley
Truthfully, you can put Copen anywhere on the pitch and good things are going to happen. He made a position switch this year, going from the back line to the top, and Valley ended up in a district final as a result. The senior led the Indians to 13 wins while finding the back of the net on 14 occasions. He also passed out eight assists, earning All-Ohio honors.
Logen Drummond | Senior | Defender | Gallia Academy
When there’s a free ball and Drummond is a part of the chase, chances are he’s getting to the it first. With closing speed for days, he was part of a back line that allowed just 18 goals — 1.13 per game — and helped the Blue Devils win a conference title. He also had his chances to score and found the net 11 times. His versatility will certainly be missed.
CREDIT: Brock Netter/SOSA
Elam Faust | Senior | Striker | Lynchburg-Clay
It doesn’t matter how many players the Mustangs graduate each year. They always reload and Faust took on an elevated role this fall. After scoring just four goals last season, he saw an uptick in his production as he connected on a team-high 21 times while passing out six assists. He was named all-SHAC, first-team all-district and All-Ohio.
Connor Gross | Junior | Striker | Peebles
He’s quick-footed with the ball, aggressive in his pursuit and he’s never backed down. Gross’s headstrong approach, night in and night out, was a key factor in the Indians’ eight wins. He finished the season with 25 goals and 11 assists, both team-highs, earning all-SHAC and first-team all-district honors in the process.
Ryan Howland | Senior | Striker | Hillsboro
Howland’s play might not have dominated headlines, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t play at an elite level all year long. Although Hillsboro only won six games this fall, including the school’s first-ever victory over Chillicothe, Howland was dangerous in the open field and scored a team-high 15 goals alongside five assists. Those numbered helped him earn all-FAC and first-team all-district honors.
Beau Hesler | Senior | Striker | North Adams
In what turned out to be the best season in program history, Hesler’s impact was felt nightly. The SHAC Player of the Year was the key piece to a team that went 18-3-1 and won its first-ever district title, posting 10 goals and 16 assists en route to All-Ohio honors. Over the past four seasons, he’s laid a foundation for future success, leading the Green Devils to a mark of 59-17-5.
Luke Lewis | Junior | Striker | Northwest
Athletic. Fast as lightning. An absolute terror to mark. There’s your scouting report on Lewis. The numbers back it up. As a junior, Lewis tallied 43 goals and seven assists for a team that battled to a 10-7-1 record. Lewis has a year left to make defenders look foolish after picking up an All-Ohio honor.
Ryder Luncan | Senior | Striker | Fayetteville
When Luncan was remotely around the ball, there was a chance for Fayetteville to score. The senior found the back of the net on 19 occasions and passed out six helpers, leading his Rockets to 12 wins and a share of the SHAC title. His efforts earned him a spot on the all-SHAC and all-district teams.
CREDIT: Brock Netter/SOSA
Carson Lyons | Senior | Striker | Ironton St. Joe
Look up the word ‘dangerous’ in the dictionary, and there’s a picture of Lyons with the ball at his feet. A wizard on the pitch, he was the straw that stirred the drink for the Flyers as they won 13 games behind his team-high 46 goals and seven assists. He was the SOC I Player of the Year, a first-team all-district honoree and an All-Ohioan.
Grady Massie | Senior | Midfielder | Jackson
To say that Massie was the glue that kept the Ironmen together is a massive understatement. Senior leadership is so important to a team’s chemistry and Massie provided the brunt of it. The midfielder aided the Ironmen to their first district title since 2005, scoring nine times and passing out 16 assists. He was the FAC Player of the Year and an All-Ohioan.
Liam Mathey | Senior | Midfielder | Unioto
If there’s been one constant for Unioto’s program over the past four years, it’s Mathey. The midfielder played with a purpose and helped his Shermans in any way he could. His ability to play anywhere resulted in the Tanks bringing home a district title. He was a first-team all-SVC honoree and earned a first-team all-district nod.
Brycin McClintic | Senior | Midfielder | South Webster
McClintic had the unique ability to do anything the Jeeps needed on the field. Need a goal? He’s got you. Need an assist? Done deal. Chase down a ball? He’ll turn on the burners. His abilities all over the pitch helped his team win 16 games and bring back another district title. He was first-team SOC and first-team all-district.
Evan Mitchell | Senior | Midfielder | Wheelersburg
Line Mitchell up anywhere on the field and, simply put, watch the magic happen. He has Swiss Army Knife capabilities, which was a huge part of the Pirates winning 18 games and another conference title amongst other things this season. In a Final 4-bound season, he found the goal 19 times and dished out a team-high 14 assists, earning an All-Ohio nod.
Will Ogg | Senior | Defender | Fairfield Union
Ogg was everywhere, negating scoring chances, marking his man and deflecting any opponent’s shot at gaining momentum. He consistently found himself in the right place, at the right time, in the right moments throughout the season. Ogg helped the Falcons win 13 games and led a defense that allowed just 20 goals all season long, earning all-MSL and first-team all-district honors.
CREDIT: Brock Netter/SOSA
Aden Parrott | Junior | Striker | Chesapeake
The Panthers doubled their win total this season and Parrott nearly did the same with his scoring numbers. He finished the year with 37 goals and six assists. That helped Chesapeake finish 12-3-3 as he earned first-team all-district honors. Next year should be even better as he continues to be the team’s centerpiece. He’ll enter his senior year with 67 career goals.
Daulton Pence | Senior | Defender | North Adams
North Adams’ defense allowed just 18 goals throughout the entire season, and much of that was behind a swarming defense led by Pence. He led a Green Devil unit that registered 10 shutouts on the season to 18 wins, a share of the SHAC title and their first district crown in school history. His efforts were rewarded with all-SHAC and first-team all-district honors.
Chase Pinkerton | Senior | Keeper | Eastern Brown
Behind every successful team is a great keeper who will risk it all to keep the ball from finding the back of the net. That’s what Pinkerton was for the Warriors. His jersey never went home the same way he put it on. He did everything he could on a nightly basis for the 14-win Warriors, tallying 109 saves to earn first-team all-district honors.
Nick Queen | Junior | Defender | Valley
Queen is one of, if not the, top defenders in the Southeast District, and his play on the back line was a huge reason the Indians made a district final appearance. They allowed just 22 goals all season. The junior was named the SOC I Defensive Player of the Year and was a first-team all-district selection.
Ashton Reeder | Junior | Striker | Minford
Minford started the season 0-3-2, but ended the season on a 10-4 run once Reeder took over. He went from a key member of last year’s state runner-up team to the feature player, taking to his responsibilities like a fish to water. Reeder scored 13 goals and passed out 11 assists, earning first-team all-district and All-Ohio honors.
CREDIT: Brock Netter/SOSA
Jacob Roth | Senior | Striker | Portsmouth
As a team, Portsmouth scored 63 goals on the season. Roth nearly had half of those tallies. That’s how important and dynamic he was for his team this season. Leading the Trojans to 11 wins, the senior connected with the back of the net 29 times, earning all-OVC and first-team all district honors.
Jake Roush | Senior | Striker | Alexander
Talents like Roush are a huge reason why Alexander couldn’t wait for this season to start. His toughness, intuition and soccer IQ helped pace the Spartans to 10 wins and a district final appearance. Roush scored 21 goals and had seven assists on his way to first-team All-Ohio honors.
Israel Schneider | Senior | Striker | South Point
When the Pointers needed a play, they looked to Schneider at every single turn. Although the success in the win-loss column was less than desirable, the senior gave it his all every night and led the team to seven wins with a team-high 13 goals and seven assists. He was named all-OVC and first-team all-district.
Nick Sylvia | Senior | Striker | Wheelersburg
The greatest player in Wheelersburg history. That sounds crazy at first … until you look at his numbers. 171 career goals, which is the third-most in OHSAA history. School records for goals in a career and a single season. And, he saved his best season for last. 50 goals, seven assists, 18 wins, SOC, district and regional championships. He was the District Player of the Year and the Division IV Ohio Player of the Year. Retire his jersey and build the statue.
Braedon Talley | Senior | Striker | Athens
Since he stepped foot on a soccer field, Talley has been different. He operates at a gear few players have, he knifes through defenses with the greatest of ease, and he was at the center of Athens’ offensive attack this year, ending with 10 goals and five assists — both team-highs. He was named first-team all-district.
Clark Weller | Senior | Defender | Wheelersburg
In four years with Weller as a part of its defense, Wheelersburg played a total of 86 games. The PIrates gave up 60 goals — or 0.69 per night. Obviously, Weller couldn’t do it all. But, the point is, those numbers aren’t coincidental. Weller blanketed his opponents again as a senior, helping the Pirates win 18 games and a fourth straight district title.
Quin Wells | Sophomore | Midfielder | Lynchburg-Clay
Wells is the unquestioned future of Mustang soccer. He dazzled throughout his sophomore season, helping the Mustangs win 14 games and reach a district final. He finished the season with 21 goals and six assists, earning first-team SHAC and first-team all-district honors. He’ll be the focal point of the Mustangs’ attack for the next two seasons.
Honorable Mention Selections
Trevor Born, Minford; Andrew Tabor, Wheelersburg; Nathan LeHaw, Waverly; Sam Murphy, South Webster; Jack Whaley, Ironton St. Joe; Luke Mautz, Unioto; Preston Lane, Zane Trace; Gabriel Cox, Westfall; Graeson Redding, Fairfield Union; Will Flory, Circleville; Mark Wilson, Logan Elm; Drew Neff, Jackson; Creed Davis, McClain; Ian Rayburn, Miami Trace;Nathan Shockey, Gallia Academy; Ezra Young, South Point; Jaxson Bridenthal, Rock Hill; Brady Mullins, Portsmouth; Joseph Auxier, Fairland; Rolan Aragon, Chesapeake; Jayse Riggs, Eastern Brown; Jaydon Reckers, North Adams; Chris Wessner, Whiteoak; Quinton McIntosh, Fairfield; Gabe Felts, Alexander
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