Can the North Laurel Jaguars repeat as 13th Region championship?
They look to be the frontrunners heading into the 2024 campaign this fall, but Corbin, South Laurel, Whitley County, and Oneida Baptist will be right in the thick of things as well.
The Jaguars are coming off a 15-6 campaign that saw them post a 7-1 mark against region opponents. They graduated a lot of talent off last year’s squad, which included Tanner Broyles (13 goals and 10 assists), Kristopher Hagen (four goals, three assists), and keeper Aydn Ebersole (179 saves, nine shutouts).
13th Region Boys’ Soccer
Preseason Rankings
1. North Laurel (15-6)
The Jaguars graduated a lot of talent but return a lot as well.
Junior Jaxon Jacobs returns along with his team-best 21 goals and six assists from last season. Senior Grant Abner (13 goals, eight assists) also returns along with talented sophomore class led by Reilly Stuber (two goals, three assists), and Cam Anderson (five assists).
2. Corbin (8-8)
The Redhounds got hot late last season and reached the 13th Region finals before falling to North Laurel.
Coach Roger Taylor returns a team that will be ready to improve on last season’s eight wins. The loss of last season’s leader in goals scored (Rizzo Cima with 14) will be a big loss but junior John Carmichael (seven goals, three assists) returns along with senior keeper Parker Stacy (82 saves, four shutouts).
3. Oneida Baptist (9-6)
The Mountaineers started strong last season, winning nine of their first 12 games, but ran out of gas, going 0-3-1 their last four games.
They do return a solid roster, including junior Hero Khajohnsupawatchara, who led Oneida Baptist with 24 goals and 18 assists last season. Also returning is senior Jason Fan, who had 14 goals and five assists.
4. South Laurel Cardinals (6-11)
The Cardinals look to improve on last season’s six wins. Coach Brooks Cawood’s squad lost four players from graduation this past season and returns senior Liam Zik, who led the team with 21 goals. He also had six assists, too.
Junior Caleb Whicker returns as keeper. He had 106 saves and three shuts out last season. Also returning are junior Ethan Emge (five goals, one assist), and sophomore Ryan Martinez (four goals, five assists).
5. Whitley County (7-10)
The Colonels will have to replace the play of Michael Sawyers, who led them with 24 goals last season while also turning in seven assists.
Senior Jacob Senters (16 goals, team-best 13 assists) returns along with a strong core of players this fall.
