Looking Ahead: Kentucky boys 2022 season

While the 2022 fall season is months away, it’s never too early to take a look ahead at a few key players. Today, we take a look at projected key returners from Kentucky boys teams: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="11522" first="Nicholas" last="Harshaw"], Louisville Collegiate (2024)</strong> Harshaw looks to be a key player for Collegiate. His pacing and footwork, along with his strong field IQ will be important. Expect Harshaw to stand out as a solid forward in the 7th Region. <strong>Colin Pieper, Highlands (2023)</strong> The Northern Kentucky Offensive Player of the Year is coming a 2021 season where he had 22 goals and nine assists. <strong>Colin Elder, Bullitt East (2023)</strong> [caption id="attachment_31282" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="wp-image-31282 size-medium" src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2021/09/Colin-Elder.-crop-828x544-1631293479-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" data-wp-editing="1" /> <em>Photo: Ed Ramsey</em>[/caption] Coming off a strong junior season with 26 goals and 7 assists, Elder should be one of the better forwards in the 6th Region for his senior season. Keep an eye on Elder as he looks to lead Bullitt East to its first-ever 24th district title. <strong>Alex Kron, St. Xavier (2023)</strong> Kron should be one of the better keepers in the 7th region. It looks to be a battle between Kron and Kentucky Country Day’s incoming senior keeper Kennan King. Both will use their strong IQ on the field. <strong>Trey Carroll, Montgomery County (2023)</strong> Carroll led Montgomery County in scoring last year with 27 goals. He figures to be strong on the attack again as Montgomery looks to be in the running for a state title in 2022. <strong>Braeden Myers-Curry, Henderson County (2023)</strong> Curry led Henderson with 35 goals in 2021. He will be key for Henderson in 2022 as they aim to repeat in the 2nd Region. <strong>Jose Vallie, Butler (2024)</strong> [caption id="attachment_32074" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-32074" src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2021/09/Pepe-scaled-crop-1429x938-1632797818-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> <em>Photo: Kiana Jordan</em>[/caption] Vaille looks to create chances for Butler with his quickness in the midfield. The sophomore had a solid season with 12 assists. Butler’s Kayden Fried (2023) will be another key player in the attack for Butler. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="11542" first="Travis" last="Smith"], Manual (2023)</strong> Smith will be a monster for Manual and a name to watch for the 7th Region. Smith has the ability to score from anywhere on the field. That will be helpful as Manual looks to repeat as 7th Region champions. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="11501" first="Kyle" last="Kimberling"], South Oldham (2023)</strong> With 25 goals in 2021, Kimberling will be strong for South Oldham as they are an early favorite to win the 8th Region. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="11429" first="Benjamin" last="Beauerle"], Trinity (2024)</strong> Trinity will have a young squad in 2022, but they should not be counted out in the 7th Region. Beauerle looks to lead in scoring and should be one of the better forwards in the 7th. <strong>Dylan Walker, Fairdale (2024)</strong> Walker will be in the running for best goalkeeper in the 6th Region. He shows great clearance and leadership on the field. Walker will be solid on the backline for Fairdale as they look to win the 6th Region for the first time in school history.