Spring Preview: Top Nebraska boys prospects for 2022 season
The spring boys high school season is just weeks away in Nebraska, so here are 20 top players to watch for the coming season: F Javier Baide, Grand Island, Sr. Baide led all Class A players in scoring last year,…
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Continue ReadingThe spring boys high school season is just weeks away in Nebraska, so here are 20 top players to watch for the coming season:
F Javier Baide, Grand Island, Sr.
Baide led all Class A players in scoring last year, netting 24 goals and adding 10 assists. His return on offense, coupled with Jalen Jensen Jalen Jensen D Grand Island | 2023 NE on defense, makes Grand Island an expected title contender in 2022.
M/F Edwin Cisneros, Omaha South, Sr.
Cisneros is the returning Gatorade Player of the Year for Nebraska. In an interesting twist, while Cisneros won Gatorade honors, it was his senior teammate, Emanuel “Wawa” Palga who was the state player of the year from the two major newspapers — Omaha World-Herald and Lincoln Journal. Cisneros had 10 goals and 11 assists during Omaha South’s 21-1 run to a state title. Cisneros delivered in the postseason last year, scoring goals in the state quarterfinal and semifinal victories and assisting on a goal in the final.
F Ryland Garrett, Kearney, Sr.
While Garrett scored a modest eight goals, it accounted for one-third of the team’s goals and more than twice any teammates’ tally. He is Kearney’s strongest college prospect, according to the team’s head coach.
M Cesar Hernandez, Omaha Bryan, Sr.
Hernandez was a second-team all-state selection by both the Omaha World-Herald and Lincoln Journal. Last season, Bryan assisted on 17 goals while scoring seven.
F Zamere Issaka, Creighton Prep, Jr.
This name might catch people off guard because he’s not a returning player from the 2021 high school season. Issaka reportedly is back at Creighton Prep this year following a stint with Sporting Kansas City’s academy program. Inserting a player of his quality into an already solid lineup will make Creighton Prep a serious title challenger in 2022.
D Jalen Jensen Jalen Jensen D Grand Island | 2023 NE , Grand Island, Jr.
Jensen is among the contenders for the Nebraska Class of 2023 No. 1 prospect honors. For Grand Island to emerge as a title contender this year, it will need a strong defensive showing. Last year’s squad strung together four straight shutouts but then allowed goals in seven straight games, capped with a state tournament loss to Lincoln Southwest.
D Leighton Jeppson, Lincoln Southwest, Sr.
Jeppson was a Super-State second-team selection by the Lincoln Journal. He was a key part of Lincoln Southwest’s 17-1 season in 2021. LSW allowed only eight goals all season. Interestingly, Jeppson played a part in four goals — two goals and two assists, which negated half of the goals his team allowed all year.
M Brayden McPhail, Lincoln East, Sr.
McPhail is among the state’s best high school soccer set-up men. He led Lincoln East in assists last season. He also plays for Gretna Elite, which is leading the Heartland Conference – North race. On the club scene, he is a defender.
D Carson Poole, Gretna, Sr.
Poole was a Super-State second-team selection by the Lincoln Journal. The defender got involved in the attack, scoring three goals as Gretna posted a 16-4 record in 2021. Gretna reached the state semifinals last year before falling to eventual champ Omaha South.
D Ernesto Vargas, Lexington, Sr.
Ernesto Vargas was a Super-State second-team selection by the Lincoln Journal. Not to be confused with offensive standout Fredy Vargas, Ernesto anchored a defense that led Lexington to a 20-2 season. Ernesto scored five goals and assisted on seven others while Lexington allowed only 13 goals all season.
ALSO
D Morgan Armagost, Lincoln Pius X, Jr.
D Angel Anguiano, Omaha South, Sr.
F Chance Bailey, Columbus Scotus, Sr., Doane
M John Burns, Creighton Prep, Sr.
D Francisco Cardenas, Omaha South, Sr.
F Frank Fehringer, Columbus Scotus, So.
M Ben Howard, Millard North, Jr.
M/F Brayden Kramer, Lincoln Southwest, Sr.
M Johnson Lu, Millard West, Sr.
GK Alec Scharff, Gretna, Sr.
M Luke Van Belle, Omaha Westside