Piedmont Athletic 1A/2A Conference Best XI: Midfield and Attack

With the end of the <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/nc/soccer/24-25/conference/piedmont-athletic-1a-2a/?leagueid=e3d1403f-6815-4bc6-93cb-8e8ef66c36f9">Piedmont Athletic 1A/2A conference</a> season, it's important to highlight the midfield and attacking talent showcased. Creative and attacking talent were abundant this season, with the shortlist for only six positions being very long. Many players will be unfortunate to be left out, but that also makes for very talented players who make the final cut. These are the best midfielders and attackers this season.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Midfield</h2>   Two defensive midfielders and one attacking midfielder are who make up this trio. Countless midfielders shined this season, but these three were the best of the best.    Braydon is the first defensive midfielder of the two and the easiest choice in midfield. His stats may not be as extravagant as the midfielders on his team, but his style of play is excellent. Standing taller than most of his peers at his age makes him a physical stalwart in midfield. He is exceptionally strong, which adds another dimension to his physical presence in midfield. His long legs also allow him to win the ball with ease, not needing to do too much work to intercept. He knows how to position his body for aerial duels as well, which makes him look like he wins the ball easily, even if it's not. The way he moves the ball forward is crucial as well, helping in the direct nature of his team's attacks.     Mario is the second defensive midfielder in this XI and would make a great companion with Braydon. While he does have great defensive and physical abilities, his best features are his technical ones. On the ball, he is a constant threat to the opposition players around him. Tight spaces do not phase him one bit, with him being agile enough to find space to run into. He's also quite skillful, with flair passes and dribbles shining through when needed. He's a joy, regardless of the context of the match. No matter if his team is struggling or cruising, his performances are consistent. His shots from outside the box are also another great part of his game, constantly creating danger with them.     Fernando is not only the best attacking midfielder in this conference but also one of the best in the entire state. An ambidextrous player, his mere presence in the final third is almost synonymous with goals. 74 G+A in 25 games is scandalous, but so is his style of play. Pockets of space are always exploited by him, whether he receives or gives the pass. His eye for a pass is remarkable, constantly creating chances for his teammates in or around the box. His movement on the ball is unpredictable, which keeps the defenders on their toes at all times. Yet, he rarely loses the ball in the most crucial part of the pitch. He's most dangerous when given a chance to shoot, though. No matter the chance, he will gladly take any opportunity to shoot and score. Highly effective, he is a constant handful for the opposition.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Attack</h2>   There was no shortage of goals for the teams of this conference, which makes for the candidates for these positions to be abundant. Yet, three players rose above the rest, and they are the following.    Jaydon is an impressive player with an impressive output. The output is made all the more impressive, considering his team wasn't all too effective in attack. He carries his team offensively, and he does so with so much talent. He's a fast player who can easily outpace most full-backs if needed. And, although he has the pace to beat his defenders in space, it still is only a secondary attribute. His main attribute is his talent on the ball. When he receives it in some space, he will always find a way to move it forward. If he doesn't beat his man with a fantastic dribble, he does so by finding a player to play one-two with. He marks his runs spectacularly for his teammates, making it easy for both to advance the play. The left-winger, who can play wherever in attack, is a fantastic hidden gem.     Owen is one of, if not the, brightest stars of the conference. Another ambidextrous player, the right-winger, provides constant danger out wide. His dribbling is extraordinary, not only beating the defenders but embarrassing them. He'll constantly look for a way to progress play, no matter where his team is on the pitch. He understands his teammates to perfection, too, which makes him all the more effective. His previously mentioned ambidexterity makes his decisions to be highly unpredictable, which leads to desperation by the defenders. The goals he scores are masterpieces, too, with his finishes looking like someone well above his age. His ceiling is stratospheric, and he still has one more year to grow in his high school career.     The striker of this lineup, Aaron, finishes the season as the second-highest goalscorer of the conference. A frighteningly fast striker, his pace is nearly impossible to defend against. His runs in behind the defense always create danger, with him even creating the space he runs into sometimes. In the box, he has ice in his veins to put the ball in the back of the net, which most players his age lack. His change of direction is impeccable, which, combined with his pace, makes for unstoppable attacks. Dribbling also comes easy to him, moving around the opposing defenders easily. Another aspect of his game is his playmaking. He not only makes spaces to receive the ball, but he finds the spaces to play the ball into. With 28 assists and 37 goals, it's fair to say that he is the complete package in the final third.    This was the third article recapping the 1A/2A Piedmont Athletic. You can find the first one <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2024/11/best-player-per-piedmont-athletic-1a-2a-conference-team/">here</a> and the second one <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2024/11/piedmont-athletic-1a-2a-conference-best-xi-gk-and-defenders/">here</a>.

With the end of the Piedmont Athletic 1A/2A conference season, it's important to highlight the midfield and attacking talent showcased. Creative and attacking talent were abundant this season, with the shortlist for only six positions being very long. Many players will be unfortunate to be left out, but that also makes for very talented players who make the final cut. These are the best midfielders and attackers this season.