Northeast Florida high school boys soccer 2022-2023: First round playoff preview

High school boys soccer regional quarterfinal previews

All games 7 p.m. Wednesday unless noted

Region 1-7A

Timber Creek (14-3-1) at Mandarin (18-0-1): The unbeaten Mustangs open with a strong Wolves squad that includes a deadly forward in Yousef Shakweer (11 goals, 17 assists). The pressure will be on Adis Mesic, Omar Trto, Kristian Palenik and the Mandarin midfield to control the tempo.

Clermont East Ridge (14-3-1) at Creekside (15-3-1): A Class 6A regional finalist before losing to Ponte Vedra last year, East Ridge has allowed only 10 goals past keeper Nicholas Aquilino. That's the next challenge for the creativity of a Creekside offense led by senior Ronald Daragjati.

Bartram Trail (12-3-1) at Lake Mary (16-3-1): There's some history here after the Rams bounced Bartram Trail from the 2021 regionals, 2-1, on the way to the final four. The Bears excel on set plays with two-way midfielder Luke Williams and speedy Dimani Mathlin. The winner advances to meet Winter Park or West Orange.

Region 1-6A

Ponte Vedra (11-3-3) at Niceville (13-4-3), 6 p.m.: For Ponte Vedra, the key is the tricky triangle of Ethan Ash, Andres Villasana and attacking midfielder Mark Romano. Grant Wheeler already has 18 goals for Niceville, the 2020 state champion. A Sharks win means a meeting with Tallahassee Chiles or Cantonment Tate.

Oakleaf (10-3-1) at Gainesville (14-0-1), at Citizens Field: Fresh off a charge through districts, Oakleaf's front trio of Akindele May-Parker, Khiende May-Parker and Drew Ammon takes on a dominant Hurricanes team that reached a 2022 regional final and has outscored its foes 47-9. Seniors Chase Oyenarte and Colin Wycoff organize Gainesville's defense.

Fleming Island (12-4-2) at Gulf Breeze (18-2-1), 6 p.m.: A big clash in the Panhandle. When Matthew Male gets on the ball for Fleming Island, good things have happened all year long. Next up is the long trip to a Gulf Breeze team that's won nine in a row with an attacking combination of Peyton Tatro and William Woodward.

Region 1-5A

St. Augustine (5-10-4) at Panama City Beach Arnold (17-0-2): Back in the playoffs for the first time since 2007, the Yellow Jackets won more games in the district tournament than in the regular season to get here. They'll have a huge challenge in 2022 state runner-up Arnold and top scorer Zachary Gunning.

Menendez (9-7-3) at Pensacola Washington (8-6-3), 6 p.m.: Versatile Will Manaute is tied for the scoring lead on a Falcons team with youth all over the field. Washington lost last year's opening round to another St. Johns County team, Ponte Vedra.

Choctawhatchee (9-6-4) at Ridgeview (8-4-4): The Panthers are pursuing their first playoff victory since advancing to a regional final in 2018, while it's a similar story for Choctaw going back to 2016. The winner plays Fort Walton Beach or Leesburg.

Region 1-4A

West Florida (11-8-2) at Yulee (15-2-1): A rematch of last year's opening round, when the Jaguars topped Yulee 1-0. Jackson Clarke leads the visitors with 10 goals, while Yulee keeper Braiden Shiver has limited opponents to nine goals for the season. The winner would face Gainesville Eastside or Wakulla.

South Walton (10-6-2) at Beachside (7-4-6), 6 p.m.: A playoff debut for the Barracudas, who qualified on penalty kicks. Two-sport star Will Dudley has helped boost Beachside following football season. They'll have to contend with Daniel de Souza Lima and a regional finalist Seahawks squad.

Panama City Bay (10-7-2) at Bishop Kenny (12-3-3): The Crusaders' road back to the final four starts against Bay and forward Ahmed Abdelhai, scorer of 14 goals. Bishop Kenny is strong down the middle, especially with the combination of Joseph Jimenez and Patrick Russell in attacking midfield.

Region 1-3A

Bolles (8-8-2) at Williston (15-2-2): Miguel Gutierrez, Jace Pavao and Jamalle Wolfe combine in a four-goal-per-game attack for the Red Devils, in their second postseason. Senior Donald Downer leads the defense for a young Bolles lineup. If the Bulldogs win, they would meet Tallahassee Maclay or Pensacola Catholic.

Ocala Trinity Catholic (11-5-3) at Providence (9-2-3): Providence is trying to stop a playoff drought: Their last postseason win was the 2011 state semifinal. Keeper Ridge Cullen came through for the Stallions in districts with a penalty shootout win over Bolles.

Wolfson (9-7-3) at Florida High (11-9-2): Can the Wolfpack end their own postseason dry spell? Wolfson hasn't won a playoff game since 2007 against Gainesville Eastside. For the Seminoles, juniors Robin Maldonado and Tomas Arriaza are both in double-figure scoring.

Region 1-2A

Harvest Community (6-3-2) at Bell (12-2-1): Cade Thigpen and Bryce Foti are top scorers for a Harvest team seeking its first playoff win. Jamie Delapaz-Valencia, still in his freshman year, has 13 goals for the host Bulldogs. The winner plays Mount Dora Christian or Tallahassee St. John Paul II.

Christ's Church (10-7) at St. Joseph (7-3-5): This is a rematch of a Nov. 17 game that St. Joseph won 3-2. Versatile midfielder Abram Wilson leads the Flashes, regional champion in 2022, with nine goals and 10 assists. For CCA, Eliot Niece, Judah Zeigler and Aiden Shepler have combined for 50 goals.

Port St. Joe (11-5-3) at St. Johns Country Day (6-5-4), 6 p.m.: Runners-up in 2021, the Spartans won their district by way of penalties against Christ's Church, with Antonio Holmberg and Benjamin Payton scoring. Playing against the Tiger Sharks means containing the threat of senior Jaydon Gant, who sparks the offense with 29 goals and 12 assists.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Northeast Florida high school boys soccer 2022-23: First round playoff preview