25 CLASS 4-1A BOYS SOCCER PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2023
 
 

GRANT BEALMEAR, BISHOP MIEGE
 
Bealmear earned All-State first team and All-EKL honorable mention. The junior midfielder scored nine goals and nine assists, with most of that production taking place during the postseason. Bealmear scored in all five playoff matches, including the second goal in the team’s 2-0 state final win over Baldwin.
 

 COOPER BUELL, AUGUSTA
 
Buell’s physical presence in the midfield has been and will continue to be a plus for the Orioles. The senior earned All-Class 4-1A and All-Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail Division III-IV first-team honors last season. A two-year team captain, Buell – who has added more than 30 pounds to his frame over that time – led the state with 16 regular-season assists after registering nine as a sophomore. 
 

ELLIOT CASAMENTO, WICHITA TRINITY
 
Casamento, a senior, scored a team-high 11 goals against the Knights’ regular stable of quality competition last fall and helped them finish fourth in Class 4-1A. He earned All-Class 4A second-team honors at forward. A three-year varsity player, Casamento will try to complete another run to the season’s final weekend after doing so each season so far.
 

COOPER CARR, BALDWIN
 
Carr earned All-State and Frontier All-League second-team honors as a key piece of the state runner-up Bulldogs. The sophomore forward might step into an even bigger role this year after his older brother Caleb graduated. He already set the freshman scoring record with 14 goals, setting a pace that gives him a chance to catch his brother’s career mark of 35, the fourth most in program history.
 

SCOTTY CARR, ROSE HILL
 
A promising senior season appears within reach for Carr, one of seven returning starters for the Rockets. Carr, a multi-sport athlete, earned all-state honorable mention as Rose Hill’s holding midfielder. Positioned in front of the Rockets’ four backs, he serves as a quarterback of sorts. Rose Hill coach Jerry Treat says Carr’s calmness on the ball is a strength.
 

JAYLEN CHERRY, BUHLER
 
Cherry is poised for a big senior season after earning All-Class 4-1A and All-Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail Division III-IV first-team recognition during Buhler’s 17-2 run that ended with a loss to McPherson in the state quarters. Cherry scored 22 goals and had 11 assists, and will occupy the forward spot again. “I expect him to exceed that tally this season,” Buhler coach Josh Tafolla says. “He has a high work rate and I don’t think very many defenses are going to be able to contain him.” 
 

COOPER GREENE, BISHOP MIEGE
 
Greene earned the 4-1A Forward of the Year award to go along with his All-State and All-EKL first-team honors. The senior striker racked up 18 goals, including six game winners, and eight assists. One of those goals was Miege’s first goal in last year’s 2-0 state final win over Baldwin.
 

HAYDEN HOXIE, MCPHERSON
 
Hoxie’s work in the midfield helped McPherson overcome a slow start to the 2022 season and make a run to a third-place finish in Class 4-1A. His goal late in the first half was the difference in a 1-0 road upset over Buhler in the state quarterfinals. Hoxie finished the season with eight goals and nine assists. Now a junior, Hoxie earned All-Class 4-1A and All-Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail Division III-IV first-team accolades last fall.

 

CHRISTIAN KOEHN, EUDORA
 
Koehn earned All-State second team and Frontier All-League honorable mention honors last season. The senior midfielder played a vital role for a defense that held all 4-1A opponents to two goals or less last season. His presence will likely be vital for a team needing to replace the efforts of outgoing all-state defender Andrew Gomez. 
 

AUSTEN LOPEZ, BISHOP MIEGE
 
Lopez earned All-State and All-EKL second-team honors last season. The senior defender stepped up for the Stags last season as he moved back from the midfield position he held previously. Of course, it felt like a natural switch for Lopez as he already played center back for his club team. His performance helped key a Miege defense which posted a 21-3 scoring margin across five postseason matches. Lopez also delivered game winners on all three of his goals last season, while finishing with two assists.
 

RUBEN LUNA, BISHOP WARD

A three-year starter at center back for the Cyclones, Luna was the team's captain a year ago and helped Ward to a 13-5-1 record. He earned first-team All-Kaw Valley Conference honors after leading a defense that allowed just 23 goals all season. Luna also was an offensive force, scoring four goals and adding three assists from his defender position.
 

AIDEN MCKEE, MULVANE
 
McKee landed a spot on the All-Class 4-1A and All-Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail Division III-IV second teams after setting a program record with 13 assists as an attacking midfielder. He’ll likely occupy that spot again as a senior to highlight his skills as a distributor. A basketball standout for the Wildcats, McKee also spent his summer preparing to handle kicking duties for the football team. 
 

JACKSON MCWILLIAMS, TONGANOXIE
 
McWilliams earned All-State first team and Frontier All-League first team honors to go along with his 4-1A Co-Goalkeeper of the Year. The senior goalkeeper is credited with over 200 saves last season and allowed just 1.47 goals against per match as he produced six shutouts. 
 

 CODY MECKEL, AUGUSTA
 
Coach Dusty Buell calls Meckel, a senior forward, the Orioles’ most skilled and consistent player. He tallied 17 goals and 14 assists last season to collect All-Class 4-1A and All-Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail Division III-IV second-team honors. The key to maximizing his potential is good health. He missed two games last season and has battled injuries throughout his career. The Orioles operate their best when he’s 100%. 
 

HUNTER MENDEZ, MCPHERSON
 
Mendez put the finishing touch on McPherson’s late-season surge to a third-place finish in Class 4-1A, heading in the golden goal in a 3-2 overtime victory over Wichita Trinity in the state consolation match. While just his second goal of the season, Mendez’s midfield play during the season yielded All-Class 4-1A second-team honors. 
 

 
ISAIAH MORRIS, KANSAS CITY CHRISTIAN

Morris has been a prolific scorer for the Panthers since his arrival as a freshman. A four-year starter at forward, Morris finished last season with 34 goals in 18 games, leading Kansas City Christian to the Kaw Valley Conference title and a 14-5 overall record, the season ending in the Class 4-1A state quarterfinals with a 2-1 loss to eventual state champion Bishop Miege. Morris was named first-team All-Class 4-1A as well as first-team All-Kaw Valley. He also was the Panthers’ team MVP and offensive player of the year.
 

JACKSON PALMER, WINFIELD
 
Winfield had some big moments in 2022, and Palmer’s play in goal had plenty to do with it. The Vikings knocked off 2021 state semifinalist Augusta 1-0 in overtime on the road during the regular season. During a season-ending loss to Wichita Trinity in regionals, Palmer kept the Knights scoreless through regulation and four overtimes before Trinity prevailed on penalty kicks. Palmer, an all-league honorable mention choice, is heading into his fourth year as a starter. 
 

IKER RAGUES ROMA, TONGANOXIE
 
Ragues earned All-State and Frontier All-League second team honors last season. The senior defender helmed a Tonganoxie defense which produced six shutouts over the team’s seven wins. Ragues also added 2 goals and 1 assist.
 

PAUL RODRIGUEZ, BISHOP MIEGE
 
Rodriguez earned All-State and All-EKL second team honors. The senior midfielder played a key role in the Stags’ staunch defense a season ago, pairing with now-graduated Gavin Mannebach as the team’s holders. With those roles well covered, Miege stacked up a 21-3 scoring margin across five postseason matches. Rodriguez also picked up a goal and two assists for the team last season.
 

LOGAN RUDDLE, AUGUSTA
 
Ruddle, a senior, churned out almost two goals per match last season and led Class 4-1A in goals scored (28) during the regular season. Dangerous around the goal with impeccable touch, Ruddle is coming off a 2022 campaign that finished with All-Class 4-1A and All-Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail Division III-IV first-team honors.
 

BLADIMIR SANDOVAL, BISHOP WARD

Sandoval was the leading scorer for a Ward team that went 13-5-1 and reached the Class 4-1A state quarterfinals. A two-year starter at forward, Sandoval scored 18 goals and added 9 assists in 2022, doubling his totals from his sophomore season. Sandoval now has 27 career goals and 14 assists and was a first-team All-Kaw Valley Conference pick as well as the Cyclones' team MVP.
 

 
ZACH SANFORD, MAUR HILL

Sanford pulls double duty for Maur Hill during the fall, playing both soccer and football. On the pitch, Sanford was a second-team All-Class 4-1A pick from his midfielder position where he’s started since his freshman year. Last year, he led the Ravens with 13 goals, earning team MVP honors. On the gridiron, Sanford was a first-team All-Northeast Kansas League selection after going 5 of 5 on field goals and 17 of 20 on PAT kicks.
 

DAWSON VALDOIS, BUHLER
 
Valdois enters his fourth season as a Crusader starter, and his energy is valuable to Buhler’s offense and defense. The left back scored five goals and added seven assists in the Crusaders’ 17-2 season, earning All-Class 4-1A second-team and All-Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail Division III-IV first-team recognition. 
 

SAM WILKEY, WICHITA CLASSICAL
 
Wilkey, a senior, helped Classical reach the Class 4-1A quarterfinals by registering 137 saves with a goals-against average of 2 per game. At 6-foot-2, the three-year varsity letterman played a key role in the Saints’ regional victory. He was chosen to the Maize South all-tournament team and earned all-state honorable mention. 
 

TRENTON WOMACK, WICHITA TRINITY
 
Womack will again be the anchor of Trinity’s defense from his center-back position. He landed All-Class 4-1A first-team honors last season and has been part of three state semifinal qualifying teams.  Womack and teammate Elliot Casamento have served as two-year team captains.