John Bruce

BOYS SOCCER: 15 players to keep an eye on this fall

July 30, 2026
, 9:37 am
, Features

These 15 players are poised for big years on the soccer pitch.

John Bruce, Staff Writer

After a near three-month hiatus, high school sports are back in Southern Ohio … thankfully.

The fall calendar brings promise in our area as several programs always seem to turn late-season momentum into historic postseason runs. That’s especially true on the soccer pitch.

Last fall, we had five boys programs — Jackson, Unioto, Wheelersburg, South Webster and North Adams — win district titles. We expect more of the same in 2026 with rosters full of talent and expectations in place.

So as we get reacquainted with the soccer pitch, here’s a list of 15 players in our coverage area, and in no particular order, to keep an eye on this fall.

NOTE: This certainly does not mean there aren’t other players who will have great seasons. This is simply a list of 15 players we’ve randomly compiled.

Elliott Allsop, Unioto

Allsop is coming off a breakout season, where he scored 31 times and passed out 15 assists, being named All-Ohio and becoming only the second sophomore — Lucas Hanes in 2021 — in program history to earn that honor. The Shermans won their first district title since 2021 and have high expectations in 2026, largely due to Allsop, who is one of the most creative playmakers in the state.

Cole Bennett, South Webster

Last season, the Jeeps pitched 11 shutouts on their way to a second consecutive district championship. A large part of that defensive effort came from the outside play of Bennett and Brayden Barnard, along with a historically strong senior class. For the Jeeps to rise to the top of the SOC, and to hoist another district championship trophy, they’ll need that defense to play at another level while elevating a young, but talented roster.

Henry Byrd, Chillicothe

Following up the greatest season in Chillicothe history was no easy task for the Cavaliers as they dealt with growing pains in 2025. But one of the bright spots was sophomore playmaker Henry Byrd, who scored 10 times after being a big part of the program’s Elite 8 run as a freshman. For the Cavaliers to rise again, they’ll need Byrd to soar to another stratosphere in 2026.

Chillicothe’s Henry Byrd will be a difference-maker for the Cavaliers this fall.
CREDIT: *Derrick Webb/SOSA*

Carson Estep, Wheelersburg

The Pirates were loaded in 2025, going unbeaten until the state semifinals with a trio of seniors who were named All-Ohio — Nick Sylvia, Breyden Byrd and Evan Mitchell — alongside a phenomenal defense that allowed only 13 goals in 21 matches. It does appear that this may be a rebuilding year for the Pirates on paper, but with players like Estep and Coleton Schwamburger, the Pirates do have some experience who played well in big moments last fall. Estep scored 10 times in his freshman campaign and will need to increase that number to extend Wheelersburg’s run of district championships to seven.

Connor Gross, Peebles

In one of the most competitive seasons in SHAC soccer history, Peebles was left just outside of the party. For the Indians to break into the top half, they’ll need Gross to be even stronger in 2026 than he was in 2025, which honestly is asking a lot. As a junior, Gross led the SHAC in goals (25) and was fourth in assists (11). So an improvement on both of those numbers would not only push Peebles back into district championship contention, but Gross into the SHAC Player of the Year conversation as well.

Tanner Jenkins, Jackson

Jackson is coming off of its best season in program history, where the Ironmen set the program record for wins in a season, won the FAC title and captured their second-ever district championship. They did graduate an outstanding senior class, including All-Ohioan Grady Massie. But returning between the pipes is Jenkins, who had a standout sophomore year. After allowing only 17 goals in 21 games, Jenkins will need to come close to duplicating that effort for the Ironmen to repeat their 2025 success.

Luke Lewis, Northwest

43 goals. The beast that is known around Scioto County as Luke Lewis scored 43 goals as a junior for the Mohawks, leading to a 10-win season in an extremely tough SOC title race. Now, a year older, and a year stronger, it won’t just be the SOC that will have to watch out for Lewis and the Mohawks, but the entire Southeast District as well. Lewis is worth the price of admission each and every night.

Luke Mautz, Unioto

Mautz has scored 30-plus goals in each of his first two seasons and passed out 15 assists as a sophomore to give the Shermans an absurd set of playmakers. Mautz can score in a variety of ways, but he may have the most dynamic left-footed shot in the area. A full season for Mautz could have him pushing the 100-career goal mark as the Tanks look to continue rolling into November.

Aden Parrott, Chesapeake

The second-leading returning goal scorer in the Southeast District is a bit of a hidden gem. Parrott has increased his scoring load each season, and if he’s able to do it again this season, he’ll break into the vaunted 100-goal club. The dynamic goal scorer isn’t alone on his squad, either, with Landon Kerns amongst other standouts helping Parrott repeat their 12-win success from a season ago. A similar season from the Panthers could result in an OVC championship after finishing behind a senior-laden Gallia Academy squad last fall.

Eastern Brown’s Chase Pinkerton looks to lead the Warriors into the upcoming season.
CREDIT: *Brock Netter/SOSA*

Chase Pinkerton, Eastern Brown

In 2025, Eastern claimed 14 victories after only posting 13 in the previous three combined seasons. A large part of that was the length, timing and athleticism of Pinkerton in the net. Pinkerton picked up seven shutouts while allowing just 18 goals in his 18 starts. While the Warriors did graduate some talented pieces, having an elite goalkeeper gives them a strong starting point to continue elevating the program.

Nick Queen, Valley

Valley has aspirations to return to the regional level for the first time since 1998 and certainly has the offensive firepower to do so, even after losing All-Ohioan Christian Copen to graduation. However, the Indians’ defense, led by Queen, will have to be even better if they want to have their best season in nearly 30 years. Queen, one of the area’s best defenders, is the cornerstone for a team that reached the district championship game a season ago and has even loftier goals set in 2026.

Jaydon Reckers, North Adams

The Green Devils are coming off of their best season in program history: 18 wins and a spot in the Elite 8. Since then, they graduated several outstanding pieces, including All-Ohioan Beau Hesler and 20-plus goal scorers in Tristan Young and Preston Call. But with Reckers returning, don’t be surprised if the Green Devils still lift a trophy this fall. As a junior, he scored 15 times, including a golden goal to beat Minford in the tournament, and passed out a SHAC-leading 23 assists, too. If he can increase those marks, look for North Adams to be playing in November once again.

Graeson Redding, Fairfield Union

The Redding name has been a staple over the past few successful seasons for the Falcons, and it appears that Graeson is more than ready to live up to the billing. In his freshman season, he scored 15 times, as Fairfield Union won 13 games before falling to Jackson at the district level. The sophomore will look to add to his scoring numbers to help the Falcons rise to the peaks of the MSL-Buckeye this coming fall.

Ashton Reeder, Minford

Intelligent, strong and talented are all ways you could describe Reeder from watching him compete. The All-Ohioan, who was one of the key Falcons during their run to the State Championship game in 2024, exhibits everything you want in a leader. Plus, he’s a whale of a player as well. Reeder’s playmaking abilities will be needed to push the Falcons back to the top of the SOC as Minford boasts a very talented group of underclassmen. But the entire package from Reeder can help lift the Falcons back into the Sweet 16, and beyond.

Quin Wells, Lynchburg-Clay

From afar, after 14 wins and graduating a very good class, it appeared as though the 2025 season was going to be a rebuilding year for the Mustangs. But the talented young Mustangs had other ideas as 2025 played out almost the exact same way — 14 wins and a district runner-up trophy. Now, after only graduating one senior in All-Ohioan Elam Faust, the Mustangs are back and hungry to win another district crown. With the dynamic Wells, who posted 21 goals and six assists as a sophomore, along with Harley Lewis, Alexander VanFleet and Tanner Roberts in goal, the Mustangs have all of the pieces they need to break into the regional party.