Prep Notes: Taft stays undefeated; top prep prospects, commits

Two years ago, Taft School (Conn.) featured a few high-end college prospects and delivered a perfect season until getting up in a shootout in the NEPSAC Class A final.   Here we are, past the midseason point of the 2023 campaign, and Taft is again undefeated. But the similarities pretty much end there.   "You know, I really haven't thought about it because this is a very different team," said veteran Taft coach Ozzie Parente.   That 2021 squad featured the likes of midfielder K.K. Baffour, currently starring at Notre Dame following an ACC All-Freshman Team honor in 2022, and defender Sebastian Manon, who has been a starter at Dartmouth since arriving on campus.   This year's squad is built around a slew of NCAA Division III-bound players who have found confidence in themselves and each other en route to a 7-0-4 start this season. And, unlike the high-scoring squad of 2021, this team has been winning with defense.   Center backs [player_tooltip player_id='151492' first='Marcos' last='Santana'] and [player_tooltip player_id='151493' first='Henry' last='Bacon'] and outside back [player_tooltip player_id='151495' first='Graham' last='Buchanan'] anchor Taft's back line. The team has allowed nine goals in 11 matches, but three of those goals came in a 3-3 draw with fellow NEPSAC A title-challenger Worcester Academy last week. Santana, Bacon and Buchanan are all expected to make verbal commitments to top New England Division III programs in the next few weeks. Santana, who is from the Dominican Republic, and Bacon are both excellent in 1v1 defending and always seem to be in the right position to win challenges. Bacon also gets forward and can become part of the offense. Buchanan, who also is expected to commit to a top NCAA Division III program, has been the team's unsung hero, Parente said.   Patrick Gallagher and [player_tooltip player_id='151500' first='Max' last='Rivera'] have been the emotional leaders, both play in the midfield and both are likely headed to Division III programs. Rivera has been dangerous on the right wing. Class of 2025 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='151488' first='Joaquin' last='Manon'], Sebastian's younger brother, has a great work rate and wins balls in the midfield, but doesn't collect a lot of stats.   The key to the offense this year is [player_tooltip player_id='151497' first='Enoch' last='Duodu'], a Class of 2024 prospect from Ghana. He's a dynamic forward capable of scoring and setting up goals. [player_tooltip player_id='151489' first='Preston' last='Alessio'], a Class of 2025 prospect, is starting to garner a lot of attention both from opposing coaches and college scouts. He's more of a central midfielder.   The reaction following matches this year has reflected annual expectations that the 2021 program helped establish.   "To be honest, most of the ties this year have felt like losses," Parente said. "They desire more. And when they win, there's not much celebration, it's more like 'the job is done and get on to the next one.'"   The exception, however, might have been the 3-3 draw with Worcester Academy. Taft went up 1-0, against the run of play, and carried that lead into the half. Worcester tied the match at 1. Taft went up 2-1 and Worcester again drew even at 2. With four minutes remaining, Worcester took a 3-2 lead and appeared to have the result in the bag. However, in the closing minute, Bacon drove a long ball to Duodu on the wing who played a ball to junior Ebenezer Lamptey, who finished with his thigh to salvage the 3-3 draw.   Both coaches called it a "wild" game. Parente added that it was a fair result.   It might not be the last time these programs see each other are both are projected to reach the NEPSAC A semifinals this year.   But before Taft, ranked No. 2 in this week's Prep Top 10, can think about a deep playoff run, it must survive a difficult closing stretch, which starts Saturday against Williston Northampton.   ELSEWHERE IN PREP/RESIDENCY SOCCER   All eight Prep Premier League teams will be in Hudson, Ohio, this weekend for the next round of PPL action.   Each team will play twice -- one match on Saturday and another on Sunday. These contests will complete the league season for Phelps Schools (Pa.) and Immaculate Heart Central (N.Y.). IHC will need two wins in order to stay in playoff contention. Phelps needs at least one win to stay in the playoff running. After this weekend, however, there should be real clarity in the standings.   The key match will be Kiski School (Pa.) facing Woodstock Academy (Conn.) on Sunday at 11 a.m. Kiski and Woodstock are the only remaining undefeated teams and the winner has the inside track to the PPL playoff No. 1 seed.   [table id=287 /]   PREP TOP 10   No. 1 Woodstock Academy (Conn.), No. 2 Taft School (Conn.), 3. Combine Academy (N.C.), No. 4 Kiski School (Pa.), No. 5 Northwood School (N.Y.), No. 6 Northfield Mount Hermon (Mass.); 7. Worcester Academy (Mass.); 8. Milton Academy (Mass.); 9. Berkshire School (Mass.); 10. Phelps School (Pa.).   Others under consideration: High Mowing School (N.H.), Phillips Andover (Mass.), Loomis Chaffee (Conn.); Hoosac School (N.Y.).   RECRUITING   [table id=288 /]   [table id=289 /]

Two years ago, Taft School (Conn.) featured a few high-end college prospects and delivered a perfect season until getting up in a shootout in the NEPSAC Class A final.