OAKWOOD — The 2018 soccer season again proved that northeast Georgia is one of the power centers of the state, if not the epicenter.
The area produced 22 playoff teams in 2018, including a pair of championship match runs coming away with one title, four semifinalists, and seven quarterfinalists combined for both the boys and girls.
As the 2019 season officially kicked off Monday around the state, several area programs are looking to build off 2018, or try to settle some unfinished business.
The Johnson boys claimed their first-ever state title after dispatching perennial power McIntosh 1-0 in the Class 5A championship match last season. After a near-miss in the 2016 finals, now the Knights will be tasked with trying to defend a title.
Coach Brian Shirley said they are more than willing to get started despite the rather large bullseyes on the back of their powder blue jerseys. They open Tuesday at Billy Ellis Memorial Stadium against Jefferson, which is coming off a playoff appearance of its own in 2018.
The Dragons are one of 10 playoff teams from 2018 the Knights will encounter.
“Our goal every year is to make a deep run so we have to take care of business in the region so we try to assemble as tough of a non-region schedule as we can. This schedule will definitely challenge us,” Shirley said.
Highlighting the schedule, Johnson has usual rival West Hall as well as 2018 Class 4A state runner-up Chestatee (see below) and closes out the regular season against 2018 Class 6A semifinalist Gainesville.
The Knights return senior keeper and recent Georgia State-signee Cooper Bowen in goal and returns the core of its defense in senior four-year starter Junior Arellano, three-year starter Diego Chavez (junior), and two-year starter Christian “Tony” Maldonado (senior). That group was a virtual wall and Bowen made one miraculous save after another in last year's championship match. Combine that group with three returning midfielders in seniors Cole Bowen and Miguel Rubio and junior Alex Arellano and Johnson will still provide another formidable barrier for opposing attackers.
The key will be in finding the right combination of playmakers up front. Junior Jose Gomez and seniors Juan Carlos Gomez and Jonathan Miralrio will be joined by a talented freshman group of Jeffrey Castillo, Rudy Granados, and Abraham Gomez.
“Finding the right offensive combinations is what will take us some time,” Shirley said. “All of those guys in practice have shown they have ability so just seeing who works well together is what we’ll be looking for early in the season. We’ll probably have to lean on our defense a little more than usual but that is the strength of our team.”
However, Shirley also knows everyone will be gunning for them.
“The guys know there will a large target on their backs every match. They’re working hard to try and keep things going in the right direction,” he said. “But we’re really looking forward to see how this season progresses.”
In Class 4A, the Chestatee boys advanced to their first state finals in 2018 but dropped a 3-2 heartbreaker to Northwest Whitfield in the championship match. The War Eagles graduated half of their starting 10 and also are having to replace Steven Martinez in goal.
Coach Mike Herrin said they aren’t worried early on about trying to duplicate the program’s best-ever finish. However, there is plenty of talent to make another run at it.
“Each year is different with different chemistry,” Herrin said. “Last year’s group was a special bunch. We have some experience returning and we have the talent to have another good season. But we also have an even tougher region with Flowery Branch and Denmark coming in. Our goal is to just to get into the playoffs and then see what happens.”
Defensively Chestatee will still have its anchors with seniors Jeyson Garcia and Tony Bermudez and junior Yiovany Hernandez. But Herrin said a three-way battle is still commencing to replace Martinez between the posts. They also return 2018 leading scorer in senior forward Uriel Rocha as well as midfielders Logan Knotts (senior) and J.C. Vanegas (senior).
“We have guys that know what to do to get there so we feel good about that,” Herrin said. “But finding the right chemistry for every team is important and that will be a big key for us this year.”
On the girls side, Flowery Branch had the best run making it to the semifinals before falling 3-2 to McIntosh in overtime for their only loss of the season (22-1). They open the season at home on Friday against Gainesville, which is sporting a new coach in Rick Howard.
Lady Falcons’ coach Anel Lilac said they are primed to see if they can best their best-ever finish in 2019. They again will be loaded up front with a plethora of playmakers.
Flowery Branch returns 9 of 11 starters and 15 total lettermen from last year’s squad. Keeper and captain Hannah Pimentel returns after a strong 2018 season. Defensively Callie Huff will lead the back line along with Abby Grainger.
But last year’s group was known for its explosive offense behind now-sophomore forward Larsyn Reid, who pumped in 49 goals in 2018. Fellow sophomore McKenzie Kent also is back after a 30 goal, 30 assist campaign. Junior Madi Shewbert will return to her more familiar back right position after tallying 30 assists last year.
Caroline Wysocki also will return after the conclusion of the basketball season. The senior registered 19 goals last year in just half a season.
“Our expectations are high this year, no doubt,” Lilac said. “With this being my second year here I think things will be even better in the program this year. We have the talent to be better.
“The key will be staying focused, staying healthy, and staying disciplined. We’re looking to just take things one at a time. But we have a more challenging schedule overall which I think will help us be able to make another (playoff) run. Overall I just feel we’re better at all positions at this point so we’re really excited about getting things started.”
In Class 6A, the Gainesville boys got to the semifinals and should return several key pieces of that group to make another run at the Region 8-6A title.
Many more teams will be looking to improve on a solid 2018 campaign. In all, 22 northeast Georgia area teams will be vying to go back to the state playoffs.
