Boys’ soccer 2022: Lexington’s top teams, best players and biggest games this season
Entering the 2022 season, Paul Laurence Dunbar has a very different team than the one that captured last year’s state championship and back-to-back 11th Region titles.
Dunbar graduated 12 seniors, including city player of the year Issac Cano. Time might be ripe for someone new to take the lead, but don’t expect the Bulldogs to concede anything.
“We’ve obviously lost a lot of very strong players. And, in my eyes, the best player in the state, so it’s going to take awhile to kind of get our footing with the young guys,” Dunbar Coach James Wray said. “We’ve got a lot of young guys this year, but we’ve got a lot of talented guys. I feel like we, honestly, are a little deeper this year.”
Frederick Douglass has no shortage of experience or hunger. The Broncos return 10 starters and roster 18 seniors, players who have been with the program since its founding, and Coach Omar Shalash believes their time is now.
“I love this team and believe Year Six will be our best to date,” he said. “Our program has transformed into one of the best in the state of Kentucky. Unlucky, brutal losses in regionals push us to get over the hump this year.”
Shalash refers to how his team got knocked out of the last two region tournaments. Both after extra time and penalty shootouts and both to eventual region champion Dunbar.
“Guys understand what we can do this year,” Shalash said. “We have to ignore the noise like we always have, and … play our style of soccer, a very in-your-face kind of soccer, imposing our will on opponents. We’ll be ready.”
Douglass did just that in its home opener against Dunbar on Monday. The Broncos dictated the pace and took a 1-0 lead as Luke Barrow stepped into a poor clearance of Douglass’s set piece midway through the first half. Lightning suspended play before the break, but Dunbar got a taste of what it’s like to have a bullseye on its kit.
“We’re going to get everybody’s best shot,” Wray said. “I don’t think you can understand that until you get in there and start playing. You try to warn them, but I think they know it now. It’s going to be like this every game.”
Last season there were seven top-25 teams in the 11th Region according to the widely recognized Maher Rankings on Facebook. Five of those were Lexington teams.
Henry Clay Coach Jason Behler, who led the Blue Devils to back-to-back state finals, including winning the 2019 state championship, has no illusions about how tough the region is.
“There’s good teams that come out of other areas of the state, but Lexington, Louisville, Bowling Green and Northern Kentucky are pressure cookers, man,” Behler said. “ They’re just brutal to get out of and there’s never any easy route, even if you’re head and shoulders the best team.”
Behler wouldn’t have it any other way.
“It’s not a bad thing to come out of these really tough areas, to be challenged day-in, day-out, and to be challenged in every district game,” he said. “It’s something that these kids, especially the ones that have aspirations for something else, should revel in and not shy away from. We welcome it. I never wish that we were in an easier district or an easier region or anything else. I don’t wish that at all.”
Here’s a look at Lexington boys’ soccer, with teams ordered according to their approximate finish last season. Player honors and stats are from the 2021 season. Quotes are from the coach.
Paul Laurence Dunbar
Coach: James Wray (third season).
Last season: 22-3-2. 43rd District, 11th Region and state champions after 2-1 win over Covington Catholic in the KHSAA finals.
Standing out: Kasen Johnston, jr., all-city first team (2 goals/6 assists), “The motor for our team … does a lot of things that go unnoticed but are vital to our success”; Jake Oser, sr., all-city second team (1 goal/4 assists), “Can play almost any position, but he has found a home at center back”; Joany “Gio” Chavez, jr., (7 goals/6 assists), “Creative attacking midfielder”; Ryan O’Hara, jr., (5 goals/8 assists), “Very technical and can create a lot of havoc for defenses with the ball at his feet”; Chaz Rich, so., (2 goals/3 assists), “Looks to be one of our leaders on offense.”
Coach says: “We have a talented team this season, but we will be young … If we (as a coaching staff) can find the right mix of players and figure out how they will all mesh, I think we’ll be poised for another successful season.”
Notes: Dunbar graduated 12 seniors, including six starters, most notably city player of the year Issac Cano. Johnston was also a second team all-state selection last season and was recently named Kentucky Youth Soccer Association player of the year.
Lexington Catholic
Coach: Jonathan Kincheloe (11th season).
Last season: 17-7. 43rd District and region runner-up. Lost 2-1 to Dunbar in region finals.
Standing out: Jaxon Witajewski, sr., (8 goals/6 assists), “Versatile and experienced”; Kevin Nevarez, sr., (5 goals/8 assists), has “ability to move the offense”; Cohen Otte, jr., (4 assists), provides “stability and control of the field”; Clark Howell, sr., (3 goals), “Returning from injury but has finishing ability and strength.”
Coach says: “We lost 90% of our offensive production so players will have to fill that void. Goal is always to advance to the region tournament where anything can happen.”
Notes: The Knights return four starters from a team that won the Kentucky 2A State Tournament last season. Three of LexCath’s seven losses were to Dunbar The last two for trophies were decided by a single goal.
Henry Clay
Coach: Jason Behler (seventh season).
Last season: 10-9-3. 42nd District champions. Lost 3-0 to Lexington Catholic in region quarterfinals.
Standing out: Elliott Blanche, sr., all-city second team (3 goals/3 assists), “Poised to be a leader and a stalwart on our back line”; Diego Sanchez, jr. all-city honorable mention (9 goals/6 assists); Andrew Hoten, sr., all-city honorable mention (1 goal/1 assist), “Solid defender that sends great service when he gets up into the attack”; Drew Ballesteros, so., (3 goals/3 assists), “Nonstop motor and a knack for finding the back of the net.”
Coach says: “We are young and have lots to figure out, but we are feisty and skilled as well. If we can mature physically and psychologically throughout the season we have tremendous potential.”
Notes: Henry Clay returns five starters. Behler’s teams have a knack for improving late after a tough early-season schedule The Blue Devils went into last year’s playoffs at 8-8-3. His 2018 region champion was 6-7-3 going into the postseason and reached the state finals.
Frederick Douglass
Coach: Omar Shalash (sixth season).
Last season: 13-5. 42nd District runner-up. Lost 2-1 on penalty kicks to Dunbar in the region quarterfinals.
Standing out: Cooper Ranvier, jr., all-city first team (14 goals/8 assists), “Freak-athlete playing dual sports”; Josh Carr, sr., all-city second team (7 goals/6 assists), “Transitioned into a monster up top last season”; Luke Wiles, jr, all-city second team (11 goals/2 assists), “Incredible finisher with both feet”; Gavin Jones, sr., all-city honorable mention (10 goals/3 assists), “Quiet striker, but makes a lot of noise with his skill”; Luke Barrow, sr., (2 goals/2 assists), “leader on and off the field.”
Coach says: “This group started with us as eighth-graders … (they’ve) elevated our skill level and helped us win big postseason games. Over 10 players could play collegiate soccer if they really wanted to continue in the next level.”
Notes: Ranvier (ran-vee-ay) doubles as the football Broncos’ punter/kicker and he’s getting time at wideout, too, because of his athleticism. Douglass has 18 seniors on the roster. Carr and Ashton Long are four-year starters.
Lafayette
Coach: Chris Grimm (15th season).
Last season: 9-6-3. Lost 2-0 to Lexington Catholic in the 43rd District semis.
Standing out: Angel Montiel, jr. all-city first team (2 goals/2 assists), “Extremely technical and strong on the ball … expect him to be one of the best players on the field in every game”; Sawyer Trowel, jr., all-city second team (4 goals), “Big, strong, fast, and physical defender”; Joseph Babcock, sr., (2 goals), “Has looked sharp early in preseason so far. He is a big, fast forward who is good in possession, and has a banger of a shot.”
Coach says: “We have loads of potential, but we will have a young nucleus (seven sophomores and 1 freshman) so reaching that potential will be a challenge as we will need the group to mature quickly. … If we can figure out how to put all of the pieces together, the boys should expect to contend for a district title.”
Notes: Two players return to the roster off injuries. Babcock tore his ACL four games into last season. “It’s great to see him back,” Grimm said. Fellow senior Chase Cloyd has been sidelined by multiple injuries over his career. Now healthy, Grimm believes he can “really have a significant role on the team this year.”
Bryan Station
Coach: Manes Preptit (10th season).
Last season: 8-7-1. Lost 2-1 to Douglass in 2OT in 42nd District semis.
Standing out: Kendrick Rhodes, jr., all-city honorable mention (2 goals/2 assists), “The glue that holds our defense together”; Serge Nkomeza, jr., (4 goals/3 assists), “Everything that Serge does is with 110% effort”; Chaylon Robinson, jr., (1 assist), “Ability to read the game, cut off passes, and provide support really helps his team overcome any opponent.”
Coach says: “We have a very young team this year, But I am optimistic that we will be playing long into the postseason. Of course, it won’t be easy with the district and region we play in, most teams are able to compete at a high level.”
Notes: Preptit continues to build his program and boasts more than 80 players rostered freshmen to JV to varsity. “This will be the largest Station team to date. … The future is bright for Station soccer.”
Lexington Christian
Coach: Steve Fugmann (fifth season).
Last season: 8-7-1. Lost 5-2 to Tates Creek in 43rd District first round.
Standing out: Both Mony, sr., (2 goals), “Ability to create opportunities for other players and score”; Andrew Schwartz, sr., “A tireless worker … will be tasked with holding down the defensive midfield”; Sam Kibler, jr., “Will lead our back line.”
Coach says: “We are in a rebuilding year with a lot of new faces to the varsity team. … Early season will be quite a test until we get our identity. I do, however, have great hope in this group. … We hope to stay healthy and finish the season playing our best soccer.”
Notes: Four starters return for LCA, which lost senior standout Ryan Haas to a season-ending injury in late spring. “He will still be able to be with the team and lead and teach the younger guys so we are very appreciative of that.”
Sayre
Coach: Todd Bretz (third season).
Last season: 9-10-1.
Standing out: Braeden Collett, so., all-city honorable mention (21 goals/4 assists); Brady Atkins, sr., all-city second team (1 goal/9 assists), “Tremendous work ethic and one of our most experienced players”; Witt Wood, sr., (4 goals/1 assist); “We’ll look for Collett and Wood to put pressure up front.”
Coach says: “We will compete with comparable size schools and if we can develop some depth we hope to compete on a higher level. Our goal is to be the best team we can and provide a unique positive experience for the players.”
Notes: Every Spartans player is at least a two-sport athlete, which is pretty much the norm for Sayre Athletics.
Tates Creek
Coach: Albert Gross (ninth season).
Last season: 5-9-2.
Standing out: Jair Leal-Gutierrez, jr., all-city second team (2 goals), “Jair is the engine of our team … impacts the game with his defensive intelligence”; Connor Bates, sr., all-city honorable mention (4 goals), “His height (6-3) and length provide tremendous value to us on defending and attacking set pieces”; Josh Guillen, so., “Great technical and tactical ability.”
Coach says: “Last year was a rebuilding year for us and we gained a ton of knowledge and experience. They have a better understanding of how the season goes and what it takes to compete in our district and region.”
Notes: Creek returns 10 starters, including sophomore brothers Asukulu Chantike and M’munga Yohana. Both play attacking positions. Chantike led the Commodores with five goals; Yohana scored one. Guillen comes out of Cincinnati FC Academy.
The biggest games
Here’s a look at what should be some of the best games for Lexington teams this season. Complete soccer schedules including kickoff times and scores can be found at KHSAA.org.
Friday: Dunbar vs. North Oldham*; Douglass vs. Corbin*; Trinity at Henry Clay*; Woodford County at Bryan Station.
Saturday: Dunbar vs. Woodford County*; Lexington Catholic at South Warren*; Douglass vs. McCracken County*; Henry Clay vs. Corbin*; Trinity at Lafayette*; Bryan Station vs. Ryle*; Christian Academy-Louisville at Lexington Christian.
Aug. 18: Bryan Station at Douglass.
Aug. 20: Dunbar vs. Highlands.
Aug. 23: Lafayette at Dunbar.
Aug. 27: Dunbar at Ballard.
Aug. 29-Sept. 3: All “A” Classic 11th Region Tournament: Lexington Christian vs. Model; Berea at Sayre.
Aug. 30: Montgomery County at Dunbar; Henry Clay at Douglass.
Sept. 1: Douglass at Lexington Catholic; Lafayette at Madison Central.
Sept. 3: Henry Clay at Highlands.
Sept. 10: St. Xavier at Dunbar; Henry Clay at Ryle; Highlands at Lafayette.
Sept. 13: Dunbar at Lexington Catholic; Woodford County at Tates Creek.
Sept. 15: Henry Clay at Lexington Catholic; Lafayette at Bryan Station.
Sept. 17: Sayre at Scott County.
Sept. 19: Lafayette at Great Crossing.
Sept. 20: Bryan Station at Dunbar.
Sept. 22: Lexington Christian at Tates Creek.
Sept. 25-26: All “A” Classic State Tournament in Frankfort.
Sept. 27: Henry Clay at Dunbar.
Sept. 29: Lexington Catholic at Madison Central
Oct. 1: Lexington Catholic at Covington Catholic
Oct. 3: District tournaments begin.
Oct. 10: 11th Region Tournament begins.
Oct. 17: State tournament begins.
Oct. 29: State championship game.
*Fayette County Public Schools Soccer Showcase at various sites.
