Boys RVA Regional Previews – 5C

Part four of PrepSoccer’s high school playoff preview for RVA area schools is all about the Region 5C boys. As was the case with the girls, this region is full of quality teams, ready to take their shot in this win or go home format.

As with every region, both teams that reach the region final in 2023 will punch a ticket to the state tournament quarterfinals, with the winner earning a home game.

Meadowbrook are the top seed in this region. The Monarchs finished their season with a 12-2-1 record. Their best wins on the season were both against Thomas Dale. The only blemishes on the Monarchs’ record were a loss to Deep Run, a tie against LC Bird, and a loss to Godwin. Meadowbrook will get the winner of Glen Allen and Prince George in the quarters.

Deep Run are the 2 seed in Region 5C, and are favorites to earn a state tournament berth. The Wildcats only lost to Cosby and First Colonial (VA Beach) this season. They notched wins against Freeman, Glen Allen, Tucker, and Godwin. A quarterfinal meeting with the winner of JR Tucker and Highland Springs is next for Deep Run.

Deep Run P2W – Lynchburg commit Chris Bovo is one of the most fun players to watch in RVA. According to Deep Run head coach, Frank Ford, “Bovo is hands down the best player in the region, in my opinion.” Bovo is one of those players that looks like they have the ball on a string, with great attacking instincts.

Midlothian (11-4-1) head coach Robert Garza brought a new motto to the team with him this season, “New Year…New Look…New Attitude.” It seems to have worked as the Trojans navigated a tough Dominion District schedule and earned the 3 seed in this bracket. “We’ve been finding the back of the net this year and understand the culture we want to change here begins this year. We feel confident if we stay the course, we can go deep into the playoffs, taking it one game at a time,” said coach Garza. The Trojans are coming off a huge 3-1 win over James River in their season finale and will open up against the winner of Godwin and Hermitage. Midfielders Chase Matheny and Zach Wirt have been instrumental to the success of the team this season.

Midlo P2W – Sophomore attacking duo Lance Yeboah and Jayden King are about as athletic as it gets. These two are leading the Trojans in goals and assists on the season. King might have the best goal celebration in the area, a backflip.

Clover Hill (10-5-1) come in as the 4 seed and as the defending Region 5C champs, when they were also a 4 seed. The Cavs best win this season was a 2-0 victory over James River. Quality left footed center backs are hard to come by, and Clover Hill has one in Michael Hunter, the gritty, emotional leader of their team. The Cavaliers will need to harness that tough playing style to go deep in the playoffs again. Clover Hill will play the winner of Freeman and LC Bird in the quarterfinals.

Clover Hill P2W – When they play through midfielder Luci Jara, good things happen for the Cavaliers. A midfield maestro that excels at passing, and has been known to hit some great free kicks.

Freeman (9-3-4) are coming off an impressive tie against Deep Run and also beat Tucker, Glen Allen, and Atlee this season. Head coach John French thinks that the “playoffs will be a test of our maturity at this point in the season.” His young Mavericks will look to end Clover Hill’s chance to repeat as region champs.

Godwin ended their season 8-3-5. Did we talk about how this region is full of good teams? Freeman and Godwin have nine combined ties this season, mostly against teams in Region 5C. The six seeded Eagles have beaten Freeman, tied Deep Run and Glen Allen, and beat top seed Meadowbrook 4-0. This is Godwin’s youngest ever squad, with only 2 Seniors and 7 Juniors. “However, while young, we are talented and hungry,” explained coach Skip Stevens. The Eagles have had a lot of injuries to manage during the season, but coach Stevens hopes they are getting healthy at the perfect time to compete in the regional tournament. Godwin opens the playoffs up with Hermitage.

Godwin P2W – Junior Carter Neuman “is an extremely hardworking and versatile player” that is critical to the Eagles’ midfield, according to coach Stevens. Neuman also played forward and center back this season, when injuries forced Godwin to move some pieces around.

Well, that does it for the Region 5C boys preview. Give me Clover Hill and Deep Run, in a rematch of last year’s region final. This time, the Wildcats get revenge for last year’s loss.