Nine players to look for in Hononegah’s soccer program for the 2024 season

Hononegah soccer coach Nic Haab said in an interview that he believes varsity is “a pretty strong defensive team.” An important component to this is senior Mason Oberheim (21). He was a varsity captain last year and is upholding that position for his senior season. Not only is Oberheim a star center back, but he also takes charge as a midfielder. In Hononegah’s first game this year, with just 1:34 seconds left, Mason slid in and scored right through the goalie’s hands.

Last year, Jacob Wright (16) was the only freshman to make the varsity team, which earned him mention on its own. This season, however, Wright is making waves by skill alone. Jacob is leading the team in scoring and currently ranks third in the NIC-10 for points and goals. At the match against the Jefferson J-Hawks on Sept. 5, Wright made all three goals that Hononegah put on the scoreboard. Considering that he is still only a sophomore, his speed and offensive strength are sure to develop even further throughout his high school career.

Combining offensive and defensive power, Hononegah’s varsity soccer team has their very own dynamic duo - brothers Sammy (4) and Tyler (3) McCormick. While Sammy holds up a brick wall on defense, Tyler drives the ball upfield utilizing his lightning-quick moves and agility. According to Coach Haab, both brothers “work really hard” and are “very coachable.” Sammy is in his junior year and Tyler, his sophomore. Both were on JV last season and made the next level together. Spectators should definitely watch out for these two during the varsity matches.

A true embodiment of persistence on varsity this season is senior Karl Goss (10). Time and time again Goss has proven that he will work as hard as it takes to score. He is mainly a forward but effectively plays midfield too. At the Sept 3 match against Auburn, Karl was the star of the show offensively. He took several shots on goal throughout the game and did not stop until he finally scored in overtime. Goss is also strong in his technique and very light on his feet.

Senior Yandel Flores (5) is another fierce offensive player on the varsity team. Flores, especially, is living up to Coach Haab’s preseason assessment that the team is very “competitive” and “physical.” His first point of the year was a successful penalty kick that tied the score 1-1 at the end of the first half of the match against Auburn. Yandel played varsity last year, so he has a bit more experience that he can use to support his new teammates.

JV's strength is mainly in its offense. Sophomore Grayson Schomburg (16) is a key player in making sure that their defense doesn’t lack as a result. Schomburg is a captain and the team’s main center back. With each game he plays, it is clear to all of the spectators that Grayson is a natural leader in how he diffuses tensions on the field and directs his teammates. Not only does he have leadership qualities, but he also is nearly an expert at clearing and redirecting the ball.

All defense aside, the JV team would not be seeing the success it has without their star goalie, sophomore Jack Shultz (1). If it weren’t for his incredible saves, there is no way last season’s freshman team would have been able to achieve the NIC-10 championship. Schultz has still been improving upon his reaction time and aggression, and it shows. It’s no surprise that in conference games, Jack has only let one goal past him.

Freshman Grant Skidmore (7) is making a name for himself in Hononegah soccer with his impact on the JV team as a center midfielder. Skidmore is highly skilled in receiving and passing the ball while swiftly dodging his opponents. He seems to know exactly when it’s the right time to push forward or fall back. As the years go on, this player is sure to be an even greater asset to the soccer program.

What he lacks in size, freshman Tyler Nguyen (4) surely makes up for in technical skill and agility. Nguyen is a powerful defender and midfielder that can often play around his opponents. He has great control of the ball, and darts across the field in a matter of seconds. Considering that he is only a freshman, he will likely become a defensive fireball by the time he reaches a starting position on varsity.

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