North Texas Boys: Best of The Class of 2023 (6A)
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Dallas, Texas: When the temperatures have cooled down and Christmas lights are hung up then you know it’s time for the start of a new high school soccer season in Texas! Year in and year out, North Texas produces some…
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Continue ReadingDallas, Texas: When the temperatures have cooled down and Christmas lights are hung up then you know it’s time for the start of a new high school soccer season in Texas! Year in and year out, North Texas produces some of the most talented graduating classes in the state, and the class of 2023 is no exception. This 2023 group as a whole is one of the more athletic classes we have had in recent memory. The amount of talent in the area will no doubt contribute to a very high level of play and competition on the pitch that should be fun to watch. In honor of the dawning of a new season, we are going to be looking at some of the best of the class of 2023 in North Texas (6A Boys).
Defenders
The class of 2023 Defenders starts off with Daniel Carranza. Carranza is a lock down defender who has great vision, reads the game well, and can play anywhere at the back. Last season the Blue Raider’s captain earned an All-Region Honorable Mention and defensive player of the year for district 3 award.
Parker Owens is a big and versatile defender who is an excellent leader and can contribute in the attack. Last season Southlake relied heavily on their captain’s excellent defending capabilities and leadership at the back, as Owens went on to secure a 1st Team All-Region nod for his play.
Ryoma Colyar Ryoma Colyar D TX is a skilled, athletic, and technical player which has made him one of the best outside backs in the state. Colyar’s pace makes it easy for him to run down attackers and gives him the ability to play effectively as a wing back. His marking and positioning are key attributes that helped him to a 1st Team All-Region honor last year.
Antonio De La Torre made a name for himself last year as one of Timber Creek’s star players. While De La Torre also plays in the midfield, we decided to include him on the 2023 defenders list because of his defensive prowess and skill. Antonio contributes on both ends of the pitch, he is a great defender and can be a fantastic #6, but he can also go forward and be a real threat in the attacking third. He has a high soccer IQ and makes few mistakes. He got a call up to the U-20 Puerto Rician national team, and last year was a 1st Team All-District player for Timber Creek.
Andrew Doba is a tall and athletic center back with good instincts. He uses his size very well to get in front of attackers and is often the first one to the ball, and he’s fast enough to keep pace with attackers. Doba is a smart and consistent defender who does not make many mistakes, which when combined with his vision and solid passing makes him well suited for playing out of the back. Andrew is intentional with movement off the ball and he gets himself into good spots to get on the ball or open space for his teammates. He is the type of center back that goal keepers love to have in their back line.
Honorable Mention All-Region & District 3 Defensive player of the year – Daniel Carranza – LD Bell (Hurst)
1st Team All-Region – Parker Owens -Southlake Carroll
1st Team All-Region – Ryoma Colyar Ryoma Colyar D TX – Allen
1st Team All-District (4) – Antonio De La Torre – Timber Creek (Keller)
Midfielders
Our list of midfielders starts with Plano’s Aiden Ussery Aiden Ussery D TX . In 2021-22, Ussery helped lead his Plano Wildcats to a state title appearance, and was awarded a 2nd Team All-Region selection for his efforts. Aiden is a very solid all-around midfielder who is great at the #6 position. He is an excellent distributor and is great with his movement off the ball. Aiden has a high soccer IQ, sees the field well, and is impactful on both ends of the pitch.
Julian Hilal is an attacker who can play as a forward or at the attacking midfield spot where he played last year. In 2021-22 the Arlington Martin player received an All-Region Honorable Mention in addition to the district 8 offensive newcomer of the year. Julian’s ability to score in a variety of ways makes him a dangerous center forward that defenders have to pay attention to. Even when Hilal is not the one scoring, he seems to always be involved and was one of the district’s top assist leaders last year.
Next up is Denton Guyer’s Jamie Jimenez. Jimenez is a physical and technically gifted center midfielder. He is a box to box player and will impact play all over the pitch. Jamie is great on the ball, and is good enough to take on multiple defenders at a time. He is fantastic at playing long penetrating passes, and his delivery from crosses and set pieces is very accurate. Jamie is also a goal scoring threat with a solid strike from distance. Despite his technical abilities, the thing that impresses most about Jamie is his physicality, intensity, and motor. When possession is lost he goes 100 miles per hour to win it back or get into a position to slow the opposition down. Jamie is not afraid of getting stuck in on tackles and will fly into 50/50 challenges with authority. Despite dealing with injuries last year he was named to the 2nd All-District Team, and the Wildcats will certainly be relying on him in 2023.
Frank Rivas Frank Rivas M TX is a sizeable and strong box to box defensive midfielder who sees the field well. Rivas was a consistent presence in the midfield for his side last season and helped Lewisville to a playoff run in what was a very successful season for the Fighting Farmers. Frank is exceptional when it comes to his tackles and going to ground. He is great at 1v1 defending and marking, and he seems to have a sense of when to dive in and when to hold. Rivas is solid in the air and can be a threat on attacking set pieces. Frank has good vision, makes smart decisions on the ball, and has the ability to control the tempo of a match. The Lewisville midfielder earned himself a 1st Team All-District award in 2021-22.
To finish the class of 2023 midfielders is Denton Guyer’s Dylan Garcia. Dylan is a talented, athletic, and versatile player who has the ability and athleticism to play anywhere on the field. His versatility was proven last year where he was used as a defender, midfield, and winger for the Wildcats. Dylan’s incredibly high work rate, athleticism, and understanding of the game allow him to be successful anywhere on the field. Dylan is a good finisher and has a powerful leg that makes him a danger to hit shots from distance, and he can also thread passes through tight spaces to set teammates up. Last year in his first season with Guyer he was named to the 2nd All-District Team as a defender, and is expected to be a key player for the Wildcats in 2023.
2nd Team All-Region – Aiden Ussery Aiden Ussery D TX – Plano
1st Team All-District (6) – Frank Rivas Frank Rivas M TX – Lewisville
2nd Team All-District (5) – Jamie Jimenez – Denton Guyer
2nd Team All-District (5) – Dylan Garcia – Denton Guyer
Honorable Mention All-Region & District 8 Co-Offensive player of the year – Julian Hilal – Arlington Martin
Forwards
DJ Koulai is a fast and strong true striker who had a great 2021-22 season. He led the Lewisville Fighting Farmers into a deep playoff run, and finished with the district 6 Offensive MVP and 2nd Team All-Region awards. Outside of his composure in front of goal, DJ’s positioning might be his most impressive feature, he always seems to find the right run or space to get good looks on goal. He can shoot from distance, is great in the air, and can dribble to create his own chances. DJ led his district in scoring last year, and is certainly one of the favorites to challenge for a golden boot in 2023.
Denton Guyer’s Elijah Pirtle Elijah Pirtle F TX is a forward who uses his pace and physicality very well. He plays effectively as a single high forward or as a false number 9. He is good with his back to goal and has the physicality and strength to hold defenders off to keep possession. Elijah is fast and will get onto through balls, and can beat defenders 1v1 to create chances.
Irving Highschool notched an impressive number of goals last season largely due to their star forward Milton Lopez. Milton is a forward who has a knack for landing himself on the scoresheet. Milton is good technically and has a high soccer IQ. His movement off the ball is excellent and he makes smart penetrating runs which makes him a handful for defenders to mark. He has the quality to create a chance out of nothing, and Milton’s powerful yet accurate strike make him a threat outside the box as well. Lopez netted 6 hat tricks last season which helped him secure an All-State Honorable Mention and District 7 Offensive Player of the year honors.
Next up on our list is Keller’s Phillip Hill. He helped lead his Keller team to a deep playoff run and a perfect 12-0 in district. Phillip is a skilled true #9 with serious goal-scoring prowess which he showed last year as Keller’s top goal-scorer. Phillip is fast and strong enough to make him a very versatile forward and can be utilized as a target or as a runner. He is an excellent finisher who possess a great strike and will tee it up from just about anywhere around the box. Phillip’s most impressive feature is how quickly he can get his shots off, especially in a crowded box, he just seems to find just the right amount of space for himself.
Luke Dean Luke Dean M Hebron | 2023 TX was definitely a bright spot for Hebron in their 2021-22 season. Luke is a quick and technical player who is very good on the ball. Dean is at his best when he is going forward with the ball at his feet. Dean has an exceptional touch, the skill to beat defenders off the dribble, and both the vision and ability to pick out the right passes. Luke’s creativity and skill set make him a great CAM option as well.
The last attacker on our list is LD Bell’s Nathaniel Neang Nathaniel Neang M TX . Neang is a skilled attacking midfielder who shines in the attacking third. He is good with the ball at his feet and can play quickly. Nathaniel is at his best when he is on the ball going forward, but he is also impactful with his movement off the ball. He is composed in front of goal and has an accurate shot from distance. In addition to his goal scoring he also has the ability to set up his teammates, particularly by drawing defenders out and playing dangerous penetrating passes. Nathaniel earned himself a 2nd Team All-Region nod for his 2021-22 season.
Honorable Mention All-State & District 7 Offensive player of the year – Milton Lopez – Irving
2nd Team All-Region & District 6 Offensive player of the year – DJ Koulai – Lewisville
1st Team All-District (4) & District 4 Newcomer of the year – Phillip Hill – Keller
1st Team All-District (4) – Luke Dean Luke Dean M Hebron | 2023 TX – Hebron
2nd Team All-District (5) Elijah Pirtle Elijah Pirtle F TX – Denton Guyer
2nd Team All-Region – Nathaniel Neang Nathaniel Neang M TX – LD Bell (Hurst)
Goal Keepers
The class of 2023 Goal Keepers starts off with Allen’s John Setterberg. John is coming off a great junior season where he led his Eagles to the third round of the playoffs and was named to the All-Region 1st Team for his efforts. Setterberg is a big and technically gifted keeper who has an impressive knack for saving penalties.
Cyrus Lovelace of Euless Trinity High School finds himself of this list due to his shot saving ability and pure athleticism. Lovelace took his Trojans to the third round of the 2021-22 playoffs and finished the season with a 1st Team All-Region award.
Bronson Paus is the last senior goal keeper on our list. Last year Euless Trinity’s Paus was named to the 1st Team All-District and received the district 8 Goal Keeper of the year award as well. Bronson is a very tall keeper with an impressive wingspan which help him with his ability to control the air in his box and make spectacular diving saves.
1st Team All-Region – John Setterberg – Allen
1st Team All-Region – Cyrus Lovelace – Euless Trinity
1st Team All-District & District 8 Goal Keeper of the year – Bronson Paus – Arlington Martin
NTX Class of 2023 Starting XI
Goal Keeper – John Setterberg – Allen
Defender – Daniel Carranza – LD Bell (Hurst)
Defender – Ryoma Colyar Ryoma Colyar D TX – Allen
Defender – Parker Owens – Southlake Carroll
Defender – Antonio De La Torre – Timber Creek
Midfielder – Jamie Jimenez – Denton Guyer
Midfielder – Aiden Ussery Aiden Ussery D TX – Plano
Midfielder – Julian Hilal – Arlington Martin
Midfielder – Frank Rivas Frank Rivas M TX – Lewisville
Forward – DJ Koulai – Lewisville
Forward – Milton Lopez – Irving
Forward – Nathaniel Neang Nathaniel Neang M TX – LD Bell (Hurst)