Boys’ 11th Region soccer tournament preview: ‘It’s all about motivation’
For some of the best boys’ high school soccer teams in the state, it all comes down to this week’s 11th Region Tournament in Richmond. There can be only one move on to state.
This year’s field features undefeated No. 2 Frederick Douglass, a six-year program build that has generated the school’s first 42nd District championship and with its eyes on further glory. Then there’s No. 3 Paul Laurence Dunbar, the defending state champions who carry five stars above their badge for the program’s five state titles.
“At this point in the season, it’s all about motivation and making sure we stay on the same page and get motivated for each test because it doesn’t get any easier after this,” Dunbar Coach James Wray said after his Bulldogs defeated Lexington Catholic 7-0 to claim their third straight 43rd District title.
No. 16 Frankfort has already made history this season as the first public school team to win the All “A” Classic state championship. The Panthers are making their fourth straight region tournament for Coach Brad Kennedy, who notched his 100th win in the 41st District championship win over Great Crossing.
No. 23 Bryan Station, the 42nd District runner-up and No. 24 Madison Southern, the 44th District champ, round out the top contenders, but this being the 11th Region, no one can be overlooked. Lexington Catholic, Madison Central and Great Crossing are all capable of pulling an upset and making a run.
Frederick Douglass, though, has a point to prove. The Broncos have been ousted in the 11th Region Tournament each of the last two years by Paul Laurence Dunbar in overtime penalty kick shootouts. Saturday morning’s draw assured that if the two meet again, it will be for the region title on Saturday.
“Our mentality all year has been one game at a time. Nothing’s changed,” Douglass Coach Omar Shalash said after his team won the 42nd. “These guys have been through two years of the worst possible way of losing and it leaves a really sour taste in your mouth. Everything I say doesn’t really even matter. Because it’s what they’ve experienced. That’s going to keep them going and keep their eyes on the prize.”
Both Douglass and Dunbar have stood toe-to-toe with No. 1 St. Xavier in the regular season, each grabbing 1-1 draws. A win this week, means a state title could be within reach.
“We know what we’re capable of. We just have to go out there and prove it week in and week out,” Douglass senior Josh Carr said after his team defeated Henry Clay 2-0 in the district semis.
Getting the Douglass first district title has been on the goals chart from Day 1 for Shalash, the only boys’ soccer coach the team has had since before the school opened in 2017. He returned 18 seniors and 10 starters to this year’s squad.
“It’s been a long time, coming man,” Shalash said. “We talked about this probably after the game last year against Dunbar and what we could do this year — to see them execute and finish out the district tournament and the regular season undefeated.”
The 2022 KHSAA Boys’ State Soccer Championship will be held at Frederick Douglass High School for the second year in a row on Oct. 29. It’s where Dunbar won last year’s crown. Yes, it’s one game at a time for the Broncos, but Shalash affirmed his team has its eyes on returning to their home field this season.
“We’ve got a new goal: Seven. Seven games to get to our place and win the championship,” Shalash said.
That’s three region games and four games at state for one ultimate crowning moment.
Boys’ 11th Region contenders
Here’s a closer look at the boys’ 11th Region soccer tournament field listed in order of their final regular-season Maher Rankings among Kentucky’s top-100 soccer schools. The Maher Rankings computer formula rates teams based on a number of factors, including results, strength of schedule and historic data. Also listed are the KHSAA’s RPI ratings, a similar, but not identical model.
Frederick Douglass
Maher/RPI: 2/3.
Record: 15-0-4.
How they got here: 42nd District champions. Defeated Bryan Station 3-1 for the program’s first district title after topping Henry Clay 2-0 in the semis.
Notes: Program’s first undefeated regular season included ties against Lexington Catholic, Clark County, No. 18 Tates Creek and No. 1 St. Xavier in Louisville. Leading scorer Cooper Ranvier, a junior with 14 goals, doubles up as one of the best football kickers in the state with an offer from Eastern Kentucky. Senior midfielder Josh Carr has 13 goals and a team-high eight assists.
Paul Laurence Dunbar
Maher/RPI: 3/6.
Record: 12-2-3.
How they got here: 43rd District champions. Went undefeated in regular season and playoff district play, including a 4-0 win over No. 18 Tates Creek in the semis and a 7-0 win over LexCath in the finals.
Notes: Though Dunbar lost 12 seniors off last year’s state champions, including a 34-goal scorer, the Bulldogs have reloaded with a balanced attack led by Ezra Blackman’s 11 goals. Joany “Gio” Chavez has seven goals and leads the team with six assists. Chaz Rich scored four of his six goals in the district tournament.
Frankfort
Maher/RPI: 16/16.
Record: 17-3-2.
How they got here: 41st District champions. Defeated Great Crossing 3-2 in the finals and Franklin County 6-1 in the semis.
Notes: Defeated No. 9 Collegiate 3-1 on Sept. 25 to become the first public school to win the All “A” Classic state championship since its inception in 2013. The Panthers have five double-figure goal scorers — Preston Barber (13), Colton Cracraft (12), Stephane Bebe (11), Alex Gonzalez (10) and Tyler Miller (10). Barber and Cracraft lead the team in assists with 16 and 11, respectively.
Bryan Station
Maher/RPI: 23/19.
Record: 12-5-2.
How they got here: 42nd District runner-up. Lost to Douglass 3-1 in the finals after topping Scott County 3-1 in the semis. Managed a 1-1 tie against Dunbar on Sept. 20.
Notes: The Defenders are making the team’s first region field since 2018, and can put opponents under a lot of pressure in a lot of ways. Serge Nkomeza leads the attack with 19 assists to go with seven goals. Mwanaume Buhari Kadusi’s eight goals top 16 different scorers. Faraja Musafari also has seven scores.
Madison Southern
Maher/RPI: 24/13.
Record: 16-3-0.
How they got here: 44th District champions. Defeated Madison Central 2-1 in overtime in the district finals. Topped Berea 6-0 in the semis.
Notes: The Eagles’ only three losses have come to region foes outside their district — 4-1 to LexCath in the season opener, 3-1 to Dunbar on Aug. 25 and 3-0 to Lafayette on Sept. 13. Avery Davidson (25 goals), Micah Whitaker (11 goals) and Ru Lemmer (10 goals) lead the attack. Lemmer can Cam Hechemy top the assist chart with 19 and 17, respectively.
Lexington Catholic
Maher/RPI: 39/44.
Record: 7-6-6.
How they got here: 43rd District runner-up. Lost 7-0 to Dunbar in the district finals after toppling No. 8 Lafayette in a PK shootout in the semis.
Notes: Three of LexCath’s six ties came against top-25 opponents, including No. 2 Douglass, meaning the Knights could be a tough out. Owen Lane (six goals) and Kevin Nevarez (four goals) lead them in scoring. Cohen Otte’s leads in assists with seven.
Madison Central
Maher/RPI: 41/75.
Record: 9-10-1.
How they got here: 44th District runner-up. Lost 2-1 in overtime to Madison Southern in the finals after topping Model 5-2 in the semis.
Notes: Sam Hughes leads the Indians in scoring with 29 goals to go with 10 assists. Tyler Smith has 13 goals and 12 assists.
Great Crossing
Maher/RPI: 45/42.
Record: 11-6-1.
How they got here: 41st District runner-up. Lost 3-2 to Frankfort in the finals after a 2-1 win over Western Hills in the semis.
Notes: Sixteen players have scored for the Warhawks led by Ethan Bell with eight and Evan Purcell with six. Seth Bell leads the team in assists with six to go with five goals.
BOYS’ 11TH REGION TOURNAMENT
Monday’s quarterfinals
7 p.m.: Lexington Catholic at Madison Southern
7 p.m.: Great Crossing at Frederick Douglass
7 p.m.: Madison Central at Frankfort
7 p.m.: Bryan Station at Paul Laurence Dunbar
Wednesday’s semifinals
At Madison Central (Bellevue Learning Center field)
6 p.m.: Lexington Catholic-Madison Southern winner vs. Great Crossing-Frederick Douglass winner
8:30 p.m.: Madison Central-Frankfort winner vs. Bryan Station-Paul Laurence Dunbar winner
Saturday’s finals
At Madison Central (Bellevue Learning Center field)
Noon: Championship match
