HIGH SCHOOL

Smyrna's Kevin Avalos tops DNJ's all-area soccer team for 2019

Cecil Joyce
Murfreesboro Daily News Journal

Kevin Avalos and his Smyrna soccer teammates know they pushed some of the state's best to the brink during the 2019 postseason.

The Bulldogs knocked off perennially tough Hendersonville in the Region 5-AAA semifinals before seeing their season come to an end with consecutive 3-2 losses to state powers Station Camp and Brentwood in the region final and sectional, respectively.

Two-time defending champion Station Camp reached the state final for the third consecutive season while Brentwood reached the state semis before falling to eventual champion Bearden 1-0.

So, it's safe to say the Bulldogs were right there with the best in the state in 2019. And Avalos, a sophomore, was the catalyst for the Smyrna offense.

The Daily News Journal's All-Area Soccer Player of the Year scored 18 goals and added eight assists for a Smyrna team that finished 12-6-2. He was also named District 9-AAA Offensive MVP.

Avalos is the second consecutive Bulldog to win the all-area player of the year award. His former teammate Juan Cernas earned the nod in 2018.

The 2019 DNJ All-Area Soccer Team includes:

FIRST TEAM

Smyrna's Omar Arradi battles a Hendersonville player for a loose ball during a region contest.

Omar Arradi

Smyrna, Jr.

Position: Forward

Why chosen: The All-District 9-AAA selection scored 19 goals with one assist.

______________________________________________________________________

Jorge Graniel

Central Magnet, So.

Position: Forward

Why chosen: The District 11-AA MVP scored 14 goals and added four assists.

______________________________________________________________________

Blackman's Moe Khan (35) gets into a kick while Siegel's John Summar defends during Tuesday's 7-AAA soccer semifinals.

Moe Khan

Blackman, Jr.

Position: Forward

Why chosen: The 7-AAA Offensive MVP scored 10 goals and added six assists.

______________________________________________________________________

Nicholas Alonzo

La Vergne, Sr.

Position: Midfielder

Why chosen: The 9-AAA Midfield MVP had six goals and eight assists.

Smyrna's Kevin Avalos prepares to take a shot during a region tournament win over Hendersonville. Avalos is the DNJ's all-area soccer player of the year for 2019.

Kevin Avalos

Smyrna, So.

Position: Midfielder

Why chosen: The area player of the year and 9-AAA Offensive MVP scored 18 goals and dished out eight assists.

______________________________________________________________________

Blackman's Javier Martinez and Siegel's Eric Vaughan battle for the ball during Tuesday's 7-AAA soccer semifinals.

Javier Martinez

Blackman, Jr.

Position: Midfielder

Why chosen: The 7-AAA Midfield MVP scored three goals and added four assists.

______________________________________________________________________

Oakland's Colton Nadeau races for possession during the 7-AAA tourney title match.

Colton Nadeau

Oakland, Jr.

Position: Midfielder

Why chosen: Led the Patriots with nine goals and added six assists in earning all-district honors.

______________________________________________________________________

Smyrna's Jose Bustillo (7) heads the ball during a region soccer win over Hendersonville.

Jose Bustillo

Smyrna, Sr.

Position: Defender

Why chosen: Anchored a Bulldog defense that had five shutouts and allowed just one goal in eight other matches.

______________________________________________________________________

Oakland's Riley Clothier executes a header during the 7-AAA tourney title match.

Riley Clothier

Oakland, Fr.

Position: Defender

Why chosen: The 7-AAA Freshman of the Year helped Oakland hold opponents to an average of 1.3 goals per contest.

______________________________________________________________________

Blackman's Luke Buckley hits the turf as Oakland's Baylee Baylee Ratsadavong goes for the ball during the 7-AAA tourney title match.

Baylee Ratsadavong

Oakland, Jr.

Position: Defender

Why chosen: Was named 7-AAA Defensive MVP for a stingy Oakland defense that reached the state tournament.

______________________________________________________________________

Central Magnet goalkeeper Russell Harper makes a diving stop during a 2018 postseason match.

Russell Harper

Central Magnet, Sr.

Position: Goalkeeper

Why chosen: The 11-AA Goalkeeper of the Year had 11 shutouts, including seven in a row during one stretch.

______________________________________________________________________

Second team

Forward: Luke Buckley, Blackman, Sr.

Forward: Hser Moe, Smyrna, Sr.

Forward: Meyzon Oseguera, Oakland, So.

Midfielder: Orlando Jerez, Smyrna, Sr.

Midfielder: Walker Robison, Central Magnet, Jr.

Midfielder: Carson Shoemaker, Siegel, Sr.

Defender: Alec Berkstresser, Riverdale, Sr.

Defender: J.C. Conn, Blackman, Sr.

Defender: Sam Orput, Central Magnet, Sr.

Defender: Chadrac Phillipe, La Vergne, Sr.

Goalkeeper: Eli Wellman, Siegel, Sr.

Coach of the Year

Brian Grogan, Smyrna

Why chosen: Led the Bulldogs to a 12-6-2 record, won the District 9-AAA tournament and reached the Class AAA sectional for the first time since 2013. Lost to eventual state semifinalist Brentwood 3-2 in the sectional after falling 3-2 to eventual state finalist (and two-time defending state champ) Station Camp 3-2 in overtime the region final.