Texas High School Boys Preseason Top 5 Teams
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DALLAS, TEXAS: While the 2021-22 Texas high school soccer season feels like it was not all that long ago, the new season is coming up quickly and many schools will be playing their preseason friendlies and tournaments in December. Before…
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Continue ReadingDALLAS, TEXAS: While the 2021-22 Texas high school soccer season feels like it was not all that long ago, the new season is coming up quickly and many schools will be playing their preseason friendlies and tournaments in December. Before the 2022-23 campaigns begin, we wanted to take a look at the top North Texas programs that will have their sights set on a state title run this winter. This article will rank the top 5 boys (6A Region 1) teams from North Texas based upon 2021-22 results, as well as their All-State and All-Region players who will be suiting up again this year.
- Allen
- Plano
- LD Bell (Hurst)
- Euless Trinity
- Keller
Allen High School is often brought up in conversation for one of the top teams in the state regardless of the sport, and their 2022-23 boys soccer team is no exception as they are in the top spot on our list. Last season the Eagles finished as district champions, but were knocked out in the 3rd round of playoffs in a shootout. Allen is sure to have a strong defensive side in 2022-23 with the return of senior goalkeeper John Setterberg and senior defender Ryoma Colyar Ryoma Colyar D TX , who both received 1st team all-region honors as juniors.
1st Team All-Region John Setterberg, Goal Keeper, Allen, class of 2023
R1st Team All-Region – Ryoma Colyar Ryoma Colyar D TX , Defender, Allen, class of 2023
Plano High School had a fantastic 2021-22 season. They finished their regular season with a district championship in a very deep and tough district, and went on to become last season’s runner up after falling in penalties to Lake Travis. In 2022-23, the Wildcats will be bringing back a talented and experienced midfielder, Aiden Ussery Aiden Ussery D TX , for his senior season. Last year Aiden earned a 2nd team all-region award, and will be bringing his experience and leadership to the 2022-23 campaign. Despite losing several all-state and all-region seniors last year, reigning Texas 6A boys coach of the year, Tex McCullough, will have his side ready to try and make another run at a state title.
2nd Team All-Region Aiden Ussery Aiden Ussery D TX ,Midfielder, Plano, class of 2023
LD Bell (Hurst) –In 2021-22 LD Bell was 6A Region-1 District 3 champions and made a playoff run to the third round where they lost a very close 1-0 match to Keller. This upcoming season the LD Bell Blue Raiders will have a potent attack led by senior-captain Nathaniel Neang Nathaniel Neang M TX , who was named part of the 2nd all-region team and the district 3-6A offensive MVP. Also adding to the attack will be junior striker Maddox Olatunde. Last year as a sophomore, Maddox was named to the 2nd all-region team in addition to district 3-6A offensive newcomer of the year. On the other side of the pitch is senior-captain and defender Daniel Carranza. As a defender, Daniel earned an all-state honorable mention for his efforts last year, and will be a key piece of the Blue Raider’s defense in his senior season.
All- State Honorable Mention – Daniel Carranza, Defender, LD Bell, class of 2023
2nd Team All-Region – Nathaniel Neang Nathaniel Neang M TX , LD Bell, Midfielder, class of 2023
2nd Team All-Region – Maddox Olatunde, Forward, LD Bell, class of 2024
Euless Trinity– In 2021-22 Euless Trinity narrowly lost out on a district championship to LD Bell by a total of one point. The Trojan’s season ended in the third round of playoffs in a heartbreaking overtime loss to East Lake. For the 2022-23 season, the Trojans will be relying on the leadership of senior goal-keeper Cyrus Lovelace. Cyrus is coming off a stellar junior year where he received 1st team all-region honors, and allowed only 7 goals during district play. The Trojan’s senior goal keeper is definitely on the list of the best keepers in the state for the 2022-23 season. Euless graduated a large and talented senior class this past year, but they have a solid group of defenders in addition to their star keeper, and they are a well-coached side who will have an eye on a district championship.
1st team all-region – Cyrus Lovelace, Goal Keeper, Euless Trinity, class of 2023
Rounding out the top 5 is Keller. Keller’s 2021-22 season was their best in school history. The Indians went a perfect 12-0 in district play with a baffling record of 50 goals scored to only 7 against. They went on a deep playoff run to the regional final where they lost to Plano, the state finalists. Keller’s large senior class last year was especially talented with several of them receiving all-state and all-region honors. Keller’s 2022-23 team will look a lot different without them, but they have players eager to step up and fill those shoes. One player in particular is senior forward Phillip Hill, who was named the district 4 offensive newcomer of the year. Phillip netted 15 goals and tallied 5 assists last season as a junior. Keller will certainly be relying on his goal-scoring prowess and leadership this Winter.
1st team All-District & Offensive newcomer of the year (District 4) – Phillip Hill, Forward, Keller, class of 2023