2021 Athens Banner Herald Boys Soccer All Area Team

5/20/2021

The Athens area has been a hotbed of strong soccer teams. Here's a look at the 20 players who make up the All-Area Boys Team:

Danny Castro, Oconee County – The junior midfielder, a three-year starter, was a first-team All-Region 8-3A selection with 10 goals and 12 assists for the Warriors, who went 14-3-2 overall and 5-0 in the region and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Class 3A state playoffs.

Charlie Chisolm, Athens Academy – The senior goalkeeper posted nine shutouts, allowed only 16 goals all season and had three goals and five assists as the Spartans won their sixth consecutive region championship and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Class A Private state playoffs.

Ashton Davis-Ayers, Oconee County – The junior goalkeeper allowed but 1.24 goals per game and was in goal for 11 victories, one loss and two ties as the Warriors went 14-3-2 overall and 5-0 in Region 8-3A and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Class 3A state playoffs.

Zuriel Diaz, Monsignor Donovan – The junior midfielder, an all-state and All-GISA Region 4-2A selection, accounted for 20 of the Rams’ 22 goals with nine goals and 11 assists; Monsignor Donovan advanced to the finals of the Class 2A state playoffs.

Jordan Durante, North Oconee – The junior midfielder earned All-Region 8-4A and all-state honors with 14 goals and nine assists as the Titans went 7-6-1 overall and 3-3 in region play.

Jacob Garcia, Westminster Christian – The senior striker and team captain contributed 16 goals and six assists as the Lions went 13-0-1.

Parker Garrison, Jackson County – The senior goalkeeper allowed an average of 1.4 goals per game with 92 saves (5.75 per game) as the Panthers went 8-8-1 overall.

Bryson Franklin, Prince Avenue Christian – The senior forward and team captain played more than 1,300 minutes this season with 16 goals and two assists (including three hat tricks) as the Wolverines qualified for the Class A Private state tournament; an All-Region 8-A Private selection.

Adam Hayes, Jefferson – The senior goalkeeper and team captain earned All-Region 8-4A honors with nine shutouts in 15 games for the Dragons (who gave up 22 goals for the season) advanced to the semifinals of the Class 4A state playoffs.

Kupa Katompa, Jefferson – The senior midfielder and team captain earned All-Region 8-4A honors with a team-leading nine goals in 15 games for the Dragons, who advanced to the semifinals of the Class 4A state playoffs.

Enock Maganda, Cedar Shoals – The junior forward and team captain was the team leader in goals scored and goals created as the Jaguars went 5-9; has committed to play at Wofford College.

Aydan O’Connor, Clarke Central – The senior center back, who earned Region 8-5A honors as the Player of the Year and Defender of the Year, led a defense that posted 10 shutouts and six games where opponents scored but one goal; the Gladiators advanced to the quarterfinals of the Class 5A playoffs.

Emmanuel Ohana, Monsignor Donovan – The senior defender, a four-year starter and four year All-GISA Region 4-2A, is a two-time captain and led the defense as the Rams advanced to the finals of the Class 2A state playoffs.

Miles Pringle, Athens Academy – The junior striker recorded 15 goals and 10 assists for the Spartans, who won their sixth consecutive region title and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Class A Private state playoffs.

Martin Ramirez, Apalachee – The center midfielder had nine goals and two assists as the Wildcats went 8-8-1 overall, 5-2 in Region 8-5A and qualified for the Class 5A state playoffs.

Piers Ringdahl, Oconee County – The junior striker led his team with 30 goals and 10 assists, earning first-team All-Region 8-3A honors as the Warriors went 14-3-2 overall and 5-0 in the region and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Class 3A state playoffs.

Lewis Scruggs, Athens Academy – The senior striker and team captain tallied 48 goals and 15 assists as the Spartans won their sixth consecutive region title and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Class A Private state playoffs.

Jack Turner, Westminster Christian – The senior goalkeeper allowed but 0.4 goals per game (six through 14 games) and recorded 50 saves, earning all-state and all-region honors as the Lions went 13-0-1.

Jhonny Valle, Commerce – The sophomore forward recorded a team-leading 11 goals – all in region games – as the Tigers advanced to the second round of the Class A Public state playoffs.

Hunter Yelon, Clarke Central – The senior wing, named to the All-Region 8-5A team, had 14 goals and 16 assists as the Gladiators advanced to the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state playoffs.

HONORABLE MENTION

APALACHEE – Luis Coronado, Fernando Galaviz, Anthony Bonilla, Jared Romero

ATHENS ACADEMY – Brooks Chisolm, Oliver Yates, Dru Hunt, Ethan Markewitz, Chip Scott, Wally Terrell, Kingsley Lavender

CEDAR SHOALS – Allen Lopez, Fernando Vera-Rubio, Luis Martinez

CLARKE CENTRAL – Owen Barnett, Davis Gabriel

COMMERCE – Tucker Bennett, Eryck Diaz, Yahir Navaro

JACKSON COUNTY – Blake Martin, David Diaz

JEFFERSON – Sean Childs

MONSIGNOR DONOVAN – Hayden Forche

NORTH OCONEE – Will French, Alec Thomas, Dylan Williamson, Cole Williamson, Easton White, Creed Sinclair

OCONEE COUNTY – Carson Greene, Luca Peroni, Ben Munneke, Charlie Burke, J.P. Dew

PRINCE AVENUE CHRISTIAN – Jack Graffin, Aidan Harter