Two KCII area teams take the pitch tonight when Mid-Prairie visits Highland to open the new season.
The Golden Hawk boys were 2-12 a year ago, with wins over Cascade and Monticello. Mid-Prairie was outscored 68-16 with 78 shots on goal, 10 assists, 35 corner kicks, 156 saves and a 73% team save percentage. The Golden Hawks return every player that scored last year including leader Peyton Fox with his five goals as a junior. Others include Ashton Townsend, Kale Miller, Matthew Troyer, Will Snider and Jonathan Adam. Fox is also back as the leader with a pair of assists. Mac Yoder returns in goal after splitting time last year with Jacob Flynn who recorded 49 saves. Yoder had 107 stops with a 75% percentage. This week, Mid-Prairie head coach Wyatt Cady talked with KCII Sports about what has him excited for the upcoming year
Cady said, “Just the depth that we have at practice. Some years when we do full-field scrimmages, the JV team, competitively, they’re just not quite there. Then the varsity team just doesn’t get the looks that they need or the intensity. This year, the JV team is able to move the ball up the field without the help of varsity players. They are able to build up the field and put pressure on. I think it helps so much to have depth in the program. Last year, we were kind of locked in with just four or five kids rotating and that’s it. This year, hopefully we can get some rotations going and that allows us to go harder in the game.”
Highland was 7-7-2 last year, their most wins since 2015. The Huskies dropped their season opener at home Monday 10-0 to Cedar Valley Christian. The Huskies outscored opponents 41-29 with 25 assists, 168 shots on goal, 46 corner kicks, 161 saves and an 86% team save percentage. They will have to replace Jared Diaz team-leading 16 goals. Jose Ramirez is the leader back after 11 goals last year as a sophomore. Diaz and Logan McFarland combined on 11 assists a season ago and have both moved on. Ramirez is the leader back there with three helpers. The Huskies also have to replace Ayden Havel’s 153 saves and 87% percentage in goal. Jarrett Brackin will step in after 44 minutes on the line last year as a freshman. This week Highland head coach Dylan Stewart talked about what has him excited for the upcoming year.
Stewart said, “I’m excited for the season itself. New challenges this year. That’s always a fun part of coaching. Excited to see this kids grow with the sports and as a team as a whole.”
This is the 22nd all-time meeting between the two schools. Mid-Prairie is 18-3 in the matchup, but Highland was the winner a year ago 2-0. Action starts tonight at 5p.m. At Highland High School.