AGN Boys Soccer Preseason Super Team
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GK: Jack Wetzel, Jr., Amarillo High
The Sandies starting shot-stopper conceded just four goals in all of district play last season, recording five shoutouts, a stellar 88% save percentage and earning first team All-District honors in 2021.
DF: Amel Hadzisabic, Jr., Randall
An excellent defender who reads the game well and has the vision to dish out cross-field passes, Hadzisabic will be the anchor of the Raiders’ backline in his junior year.
DF: Alex Silva, Sr., Palo Duro
A returning starter and key defensive piece for the Dons, Silva will be the stronghold for Palo Duro again this season and hoping to repeat in another deep playoff run.
DF: Jacob Perez, Jr., Amarillo High
The District 3-5A Defensive Player of the Year in 2021, Perez will return for a final go as the captain and anchor of a Sandies defense that looks to return as district champions.
DF: Coleby McCurdy, Soph., Randall
A strong left-back or left-sided center back, McCurdy earned the AGN Newcomer of the Year honors last season and will be a key figure in the Randall backline this season.
MF: Braden Wilson, Jr., Amarillo High
Wilson earned the District 3-5A Offensive Player of the Year in 2021 as the midfield general, scoring six goals and dishing four assists. As the main playmaker for the Sandies, he will be crucial again this year in hopes of repeating as district champions.
MF: Bryan Alderete, Sr., Pampa
The creative playmaker for the Harvesters, Alderete won 1st-Team All-District honors last year and paired well with fellow attacker Justin Martinez.
MF: Rodrigo Lira, Sr., Randall
Transitioning from a center back to a midfielder, Lira will be a strong, stabilizing precense in the Raiders’ midfield for this season.
FW: Dominique Gomez, Sr., Palo Duro
Paired with star Jaime Carrillo, Gomez is a potent attacking threat for the Dons, scoring 25 goals and providing a team-high 24 assists as Palo Duro reached the 5A regional semifinals and earned First-Team All-District honors.
FW: Justin Martinez, Jr., Pampa
With 27 goals last season and District 4-4A Offensive MVP and Honorable Mention All-Region honors, Martinez will again be the main offensive threat for the Harvesters this year.
FW: Adrian Ruiz, Jr., Palo Duro
The District 3-5A Newcomer of the Year, Ruiz made a strong impact off the bench to score 11 goals and provide five assists as he transitions into a starter for the Dons.
Aiming for the stars: Carrillo develops into go-to scorer, eager to lead Palo Duro to state tourney
SPARKS OFF THE BENCH
GK: Austin Contreras, Sr., Randall
Contreras earned Second Team All-District honors and is a key presence for the Raiders in goal.
DF: Luke Laminack, Sr., Amarillo High
A standout defender for the Sandies, Laminack’s presence allows him to win most contested balls and sweep up any trouble in the backline.
DF: Ben Zotter, Sr., Canyon
Zotter will be hoping to anchor the defense of a rebuilding Canyon squad with a new head coach.
MF: Brock Parker, Senior, Randall
A midfield presence with solid technique for the Raiders, expect Parker’s influence to grow alongside Lira in the Randall midfield.
MF: Edwin Vivero Ramirez, Senior, Tascosa
A strong midfield presence for the Rebels, Vivero Ramirez hopes to help Tascosa improve this season and become a contender for years to come.
MF: Felix Ibarra, Senior, Dumas
A commanding midfield presence for the Demons, Ibarra scored six goals and provided 12 assists last season.
FW: Angel Sanchez, Sr., Palo Duro
Another solid attacking option for the Dons, Sanchez scored seven goals and tallied four assists last season.
FW: Braeden Williamson, Jr., Amarillo High
An All-District Team Honorable Mention in 2021, Williamson scored seven goals and recorded two assists and could see a bigger role this season.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo area high school AGN Boys Soccer Preseason Super Team
