Kickin’ it around – Saints, Gators, Tigers ready for 2024

Spring Creek steps onto the soccer pitch this season with visions of winning a fourth consecutive Neuse Six 2A regular-season championship.

Travel the back roads from Seven Springs to Kenansville and you’ll find another prep juggernaut — James Kenan. The Tigers seek to add more hardware to their trophy case.

Southern Wayne, under the careful guidance of Luis Ramirez, is methodically building a consistent winning program. The Saints collected 15 wins last season, won nine conference games and reached the second round of the state playoffs.

Ramirez, however, faces the challenge of replacing numerous faces he expected to see on the field. Missing from the group are his top two goal-scorers from 2023 and an experienced goalie.

“Unfortunately, it’s a step back, but I’ve got a bunch of guys that are hungry and will have to step up,” Ramirez said.

A new coach takes over at North Duplin, but faces a unique dilemma. The Rebels won’t start practice until Aug. 26, according to athletics director Ricky Edwards.

“Hiring a coach so late [in the summer] and dealing with some other things, we felt like it was best to drop our non-conference schedule and just play our [Carolina 1A] conference games,” Edwards said.

Southern Wayne

DUDLEY — Resilience and dedication.

Ramirez has chosen that coaching method heading into the fall campaign, which begins Aug. 12 against 2023 East Central 2A champion Wallace-Rose Hill.

“Our coaching staff has prepared to indulge in trials and challenges we may face for this upcoming season,” Ramirez said. “[We must] prepare the team to face those challenges head on and improve from what we did last year.”

Expect the Saints to utilize the midfield.

Senior Cole Lane will be joined by fellow seniors Alfredo Alvarado and Denilson Sanchez. Ramirez said sophomore Richard Gabriel will work from one of the forward spots.

Spearheading the defense are senior Alex Trejo, junior Gerardo Sauno and freshman defender Anthony Castillo.

“Our biggest strength is the culture that we have created,” Ramirez said. “From the seniors to the freshmen, they know what they have to do to not only win, but become better men along the way.

“The expectations we have for the season are simple – work hard to get better and compete for one of the top spots in our conference and host some playoff games.”

Spring Creek

SEVEN SPRINGS — Will someone finally wrestle the Neuse Six 2A regular-season and tournament crowns from the Gators’ claws this fall?

Since the league’s inception just three years ago, Spring Creek has compiled an eye-popping 35-1-0 record in regular-season and tournament play combined. The only loss occurred against North Johnston during the 2022 season.

Head coach Miguel Torres wants another trophy, which would be No. 12 in program history. This year’s group will have a tall mountain to climb, however.

“Expectations … that is a word I don’t like using, but the standard for us is competing for a conference championship and keeping that at home,” Torres said. “We work extremely hard because we are in a conference with teams that don’t give it to us and they are going to make it difficult.”

The team’s top scorer graduated.

Ozias Miteu signed a national letter-of-intent to play at the University of Mount Olive. He dropped in 26 goals and handed out 12 assists last season en route to all-state honors from the NC Soccer Coaches Association.

His departure puts the offense on the boots of three seniors — Jeheili Velasquez-Sanchez, Homar Lopez Castro and Yonatan Gonzalez Morales to supply the offense. Sanchez and Castro combined for 18 goals and 22 assists a year ago. Morales filed five assists on his stat sheet.

“[We’re] working on the boys understanding the identity of our team,” Torres said. “[The] offseason is a good time to work on conditioning and focus on individual players to aid in their individual goals. [Offseason attendance] was excellent and that shows me that they want to grow … want to help the team reach new goals.”

Minding the goal is returner Edgar Avila-Anguiano. The senior recorded 13 saves and a 0.741 goals-against-average (GAA) in 864 minutes between the pipes.

Torres anticipates sophomores Joseph Carranza and Axel Gomez to step into starting roles this season.

After the Wallace-Rose Hill outing, the Gators head to St. Paul’s on Aug. 13 and entertain James Kenan the following afternoon.

James Kenan

WARSAW — The Tigers’ bid for an unprecedented fifth consecutive East Central 2A title didn’t materialize on the pitch last fall.

Graduation depleted the defensive side of the roster.

Possible replacements have displayed talent, speed and hard-nosed play during the preseason.

Yet, there is a downside.

“As for [season] expectations, right now I have mixed feelings due to lack of practice and attendance,” said James Kenan head coach Mitchell Quinn. “I think that we have the potential to be really good and very competitive as long as we work together as a team — use all 11 players on the field.”

Controlling the midfield are returnees Kevin Jimenez, Ronald Ramirez and Francisco Roldan. Peter Omega is joined at forward by a new face — Robert Odones.

Isaias Ruiz, a senior, anchors the defense. Quinn expects Edier Ruiz and Kebert David to provide solid assistance for Ruiz.

“I think we should be very solid in the net and on defense,” Quinn said. “If the midfield will move the ball, use the whole field and work together with each other — and the forwards — I see very good things happening.”

Kenan has made 23 consecutive appearances in the NC High School Athletic Association playoffs. Quinn’s last five teams have posted an impressive 52-5-1 mark against East Central opposition, including four consecutive league championships from 2019-22.

You may reach sports writer Rudy Coggins at prepswriter2@gmail.com or call 919-709-9257.