Best August Performers in the 1A and 2A Classes

<p>The high school preseason, and in some cases the season, has started across the state. The month of August was almost exclusively preseason matches, but it still left us with some players and teams to look forward to. This monthly series will be four parts, with each article focusing on two classes at once. This article is for the 1A and 2A classes.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1A</h2>   <p>The busiest team in the 1A class in August is also one of the strongest-performing teams for the month. This team being Jones Senior High School. Both players who were chosen as the best of the month are teammates and statistically the most prolific in this class last month. </p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Kevin is, as of now, the top scorer of the class with 16 goals in 8 matches. He's a striker with great agility and ball control. He likes to receive the ball with his back to goal so that he can either link up with his midfielders or drive it forward. His dribbling and skills see him breeze past defenders easily. In the box, or in any clear goalscoring opportunity, he remains exceptionally calm when finishing. Some of the goals he's scored so far have been of tremendous quality.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Joseph is the second-highest goalscorer and highest assister of the class as of now. His playstyle is similar to Kevin's, but more adapted to play as a left-midfielder/winger. He's a calm yet devastating player on the ball. The passes he finds in the final third are fantastic, especially when he creates chances. Taking on defenders isn't an issue for him at all either. He'll get out of pressure with his quick feet and agility.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2A</h2>   <p>The 2A class has had several strong-performing teams and players. One of the most exciting players of the month statistically has been East Bladen High School freshman Luis Ayala. However, his matches have been hard to come by considering the school he goes to. It's worth keeping an eye on him and on the two players chosen here.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Cullen is a defender for his club but a striker for his school. His excellent performances in whichever position he plays is very noteworthy, but the focus here is on his attacking ability. He's a strong and fast player who makes defending him a near impossible task. His offensive awareness is fantastic and is most noticeable when making runs in behind the defense. He'll beat them for pace comfortably, and shoulder them off if they catch up to them. In front of goal, he remains calm and collected. Finishing chances is no issue for him whatsoever, noted in his 14 goals in 7 matches so far.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Noah is a complete talent in midfield who can excel in any task you give him. For his club, he takes on a more defensive and organizing role. For his school, he takes on a flairful and direct offenisive role. His movements both on and off the ball are spectacular. The passes he makes to open up space and create chances are just as good. Though his stats don't fully reflect how great his chance creation is, they do show how devastating he is when given the chance to finish chances. 11 goals in 5 matches is extraordinary on its own, but the overall performances he's been putting on are even better.</p>

The high school preseason, and in some cases the season, has started across the state. The month of August was almost exclusively preseason matches, but it still left us with some players and teams to look forward to. This monthly series will be four parts, with each article focusing on two classes at once. This article is for the 1A and 2A classes.