High school soccer preview: Rock Hill boys ready to ascend

Cesar Robles in his second year as head coach of the Rock Hill boys’ soccer team, and many feel like this is the year that he has a contender on his hands.

“It’s a testament to the work the boys have put in all the way since October. Preseason, open play and in the classroom,” he said after a Friday night scrimmage in which his Bearcats put four goals past Andrew Jackson.

Following up a 6-13 record a year ago, Rock Hill (2-1-1 so far) has a trio of juniors that could bring them closer to competing for a Region 3-4A title in forwards George Mendez and Franklin Zuniga. Robles called them finishers with good ball movement. The third, Zhenya Deller, buried a 35-yard shot in a scrimmage against Lancaster that made some noise on Twitter.

Deller called the goal “crazy.” He said the focus of this year’s team goes beyond competing in the region.

“We haven’t gone to state in six years,” said Deller, who was born in Ukraine. “So we’re definitely going to try and get to work and try to win state.”

The Bearcats’ lone loss this spring came against defending 4A state champs Wando during the 2016 Bryan Ostrower High School Soccer Showcase. Robles described the 2-1 defeat as a learning experience for his team against a state superpower in boys’ soccer and, with region play looming, it showed that his team is up for any challenge.

“We have some very good coaches across the region, and so they have some very good programs. So every match that we’re going to be stepping on to is going to be a challenge for us. Again, with the work, I think we’ll be able to compete,” Robles said.

Rest of Region 3-4A Boys

With the Bearcats up-and-coming, the final season of the current Region 3-4A – York and Gaffney leave the region in the new realignment – should be interesting.

“There does not look to be any easy wins on the region schedule,” said Nation Ford head coach Jon Jarrett.

Despite that, Jarrett feels that his Falcons are region title contenders after a 16-4-1 season. They’re led by a “strong group of upperclassmen” according to Jarrett. Nation Ford returns eight starters from last year and have a strong player of the year candidate in lightning-quick playmaker Kevin Garces at forward. Jarrett called defender and captain Terrell Stauffer “one of the best leaders I have ever been around” and has been impressed with his lockdown defensive performances early in the season, particularly against J.L. Mann Feb. 20.

Down the road in Fort Mill, the Yellow Jackets have a new head coach, Sean Fielden, as well as a plethora of returning pieces. Seniors forward Matt Kaplan, midfielder Keegan Downie – the only player on the roster to be a four-year starter at Fort Mill – and defensive midfielder Andrew Whitaker, who was named the team’s MVP last season are back, as well as center back Jeremy LaPointe, who returns after missing nearly all of last year due to injury. The Jackets also have arguably the area’s best goalkeeper, sophomore Gavin McCraw, coming back after an All-Region freshman campaign.

In Clover, the Blue Eagles are the defending region champions after a 19-6 season in which they fell to Dutch Fork in the second round of the playoffs. Coach Graham Stafford has an experienced crew coming back, but lost some key pieces from last year’s squad as well. Among the returning players is a Herald All-Area selection, centerback Adam Watkins, a junior whose steady defending was a big part of the Blue Eagles’ success last year. The lone senior on the team is Dylan Jones, who will be heading to College of Charleston not to play soccer, but to study astrophysics.

At Northwestern, the Trojans are looking to capture their first state title since 2010 and are coming off a 9-8 season a year ago. The purple and gold will be strong defensively, led by versatile senior defender Loughan Welborn, an USC Upstate commitment. Fellow senior John David Collins is someone that head coach Dominic Wren called a “tough tenacious defender who always gives 100 percent.” Offensively, the Trojans will rely underclassmen like junior forward Brock Manley and crafty sophomore midfielder Garrett Beard.

Fort Mill girls the favorites in Region 3-4A

On the ladies’ side, Fort Mill will again be a big favorite in Region 3-4A after posting a 12-5-3 record a year ago on the way to a region title. Coach Chris Quinn has a variety of college-caliber talent at his disposal, led by Clemson signee Kimber Haley. The Lady Jackets also come loaded with three seniors, including Erskine signee Eliza Denmeade, Coker signee Ashley Hogg and Limestone signee Mallory Kovacs, and another high-profile junior in Elon commit Meredith Christopher.

At Nation Ford, the Falcons will be without last year’s Herald All-Area Player of the Year Emma Maddox, who found the back of the net 16 times in 2015 and was a North-South Game selection. Now the team also has a new head coach at the helm in Megan Williams, and an experienced goalkeeper in senior Abbey Bjerken, who signed to play in college at West Virginia Wesleyan. The Falcons also have a trio of experienced center backs in juniors Madi Gleason and Emily Tolbik as well as promising sophomore Megan Eastep.

At Northwestern, the Trojans are coming off a 5-11-1 campaign, including just three wins in region play. Second-year head coach Jason Mouzon believed his team competed well last year against a region he called “one of the toughest in the entire state.” The team will be led by a pair of seniors on each side of the pitch. Forward Ashli Siggins was an All-Region selection last year, and was the team’s second leading scorer and assist-maker, while defender Haley Blythe is a Limestone signee that was named team MVP a year ago.

South Pointe to contend in Region 3-3A

The Stallions are looking to pick up where they left off last season after an 11-8 season spurred them into the playoffs, where they fell to eventual state champion Dreher in the second round. Leading the way for Adam Rainey’s squad will be Grayson Chappell, a highly-touted senior midfielder who is a four-time All-Region selection. South Pointe will also have some youth on both sides of the pitch in the form of a pair of All-Region sophomores. Defender, and Discoveries Soccer Club member, Christina Reid had 11 goals and eight assists in 2015 while forward Teagan Boucher pitched in 10 goals and 10 assists.

Players to Watch – Boys

Kevin Garces, Nation Ford: Senior speedster who already has six goals this season, has had tryouts with pro clubs Charlotte Independence and Carolina RailHawks. Jarrett said that playing at the professional level is in Garces’ future, assuming he stays healthy. Made All Region 3-4A last year as well as The Herald’s All-Area team last year.

Mark Kaplan, Fort Mill: Senior striker previously played for Carolina Rapids Academy and CESA Premier this past season. Has three goals and an assist in the first three games of the season.

Loughan Welborn, Northwestern: USC Upstate signee is a big, versatile player that can “play multiple positions” according to coach Dominic Wren.

Garrett Gerdes, Indian Land: senior midfielder was named All-State last season and will try to lead the Warriors back to the 2A state finals.

Adam Watkins, Clover: Steady junior defender that was the backbone of the Blue Eagles’ region-winning 2015 campaign. 2015 Herald All-Area selection starts Clover’s offensive attacks from the backline.

Players to Watch – Girls

Grayson Chapell, South Pointe: Senior midfielder and Coker signee is nearing 50 career goals, and holds the South Pointe school record for assists.

Kimber Haley, Fort Mill: Clemson commitment was All-Region last season and will be one of the area’s best play-makers in midfield.

Bailey Penegar, Indian Land: Senior defender signed with Limestone and will again spearhead the Warriors’ defense.

Haley Blythe, Northwestern: Senior defender and Limestone signee was the Trojans’ team defensive MVP last season.

Abbey Bjerken, Nation Ford: West Virginia Wesleyan commit provides senior experience in goal for the Falcons.

This story was originally published February 28, 2016 at 2:56 PM with the headline "High school soccer preview: Rock Hill boys ready to ascend."