2020 Maury County boys soccer previews
A team-by-team look at the five local squads that will compete on the high school pitch this spring:
Columbia Academy Bulldogs
Coach: Doug Williams (21st season)
District: 3-DIIA
2018-19 record: 6-8-1
2018-19 postseason finish: Region 5-A semifinals (lost to LEAD Academy 7-0)
Returning starters: 4
Key contributors: Joshua Brown, sr. GK; Will Garrison, jr. F
Coach-speak:“We are expecting a lot of young players to step in and contribute this season. The move to a very competitive district in Division II will be challenging and a good opportunity for us.”
Columbia Central Lions
Coach: Greg Szydlowski (3rd Season)
District: 8-AAA
2019 record: 14-4-1
2019 postseason finish: Class AAA sectionals (lost to Cookeville 5-4)
Returning starters: 6
Key contributors: Preston Price, sr. F; Eric Valezquez, sr. D; Josue Guerra, sr. MF; Victor Ramirez, so. MF; Brewer Wall, so. MF; Kameron Smith, so. D
Coach-speak:“We have a mixture of senior leadership and great young players in the mix that were playing all last year. The key will be for our seniors to help the younger players focus all season, and overcome that substate exit we experienced that last two seasons.”
Culleoka Warriors
Coach: David Parks (1st season)
District: 10-A
2019 record: 5-6-3
2019 postseason finish: District semifinals (lost to Grace Christian 9-0)
Returning starters: 6
Key contributors: Alex Vandiver, sr. D; Holden Cornett, sr. D; K.T. Caldwell, jr. F; Jessie James, so. F/MF; Peyton Dodge, sr. F; Yale Cahill, jr. F/MF; Michael Silva, sr. GK; Kalyh Wyeth, fr. D
Coach-speak:“I expect the team to be competitive within the district.”
Spring Hill Raiders
Coach: Sadiq Al-Amery (6th season)
District: 11-AA
2019 record: 7-4
2019 postseason finish: District semifinals (lost to Nolensville 1-0)
Returning starters: 6
Key contributors: Carter Coleman, so. GK; Jorge Cortez, jr. D; Giovanny Velaquez, fr. MF; Dakota Jackson, so. MF
Coach-speak:“We are excited about the team we have put together. With many new faces, we are still learning to work together as we enter this season but we have confidence that we will see many wins in our future.”
Zion Christian Eagles
Coach: Nick Dale (2nd season)
District: 3-DIIA
2019 Record: 5-8
2019 postseason finish: Middle Region quarterfinals (lost to Davidson Acad. 1-0)
Returning starters: 8
Key contributors: Noah Chapek, sr. F; Cole Woodward, sr. F; Warren Riggins, sr. MF; Davis Duffy, jr. D; Wesley Riggins, fr. GK
Coach-speak:“Last year was my first season with these young men. They have grown a lot as a team over the past year. Together we have worked hard to change the culture of soccer here at Zion. Last year’s group created a lot of excitement for our program as we look to build from just having enough players to play (11) to having enough to field a (junior varsity) team. There is a lot of potential with this year’s group and we are looking forward to our upcoming season.”
— MAURICE PATTON