Perkins, Edison boys soccer moving on after huge seasons

Perkins and Edison shared the Sandusky Bay Conference boys soccer league championship last year. Each went 10-0-1 in league play, tying in a wild 3-3 contest at Edison in late September. The Pirates were 16-1-3 overall, losing a tough district semifinal to Sylvania Southview. Edison finished 19-1-1, winning the program's first-ever district title before a regional semifinal loss to Liberty-Benton. Perkins graduated a whopping 11 seniors while the Chargers bid farewell to the program's all-time leader in career goals scored in Alex Davidson. But what's next? "We are still very dangerous going forward," Perkins coach Paul Lea said. "We will create chances and have the best striker in the district in Titus Normington-Slay. He had 41 goals last season and will give every team nightmares this season. Looking forward to big year from him." Kurri Lewis is the new head coach for Edison, taking over for Nate Leimeister, who stepped down. Lewis was previously the head coach from 2012-21 and has over 100 career wins at Edison. "Last season's senior group was a dynamic group and will always be an issue to replace at first, but this season's team and depth of roster will give us the tools to replace the goals and assists that were lost," Lewis said. "Moving into a new formation will also allow us to utilize the returners in new ways that will be beneficial for our chances to make a deep playoff run." Normington-Slay returns for the Pirates, but their next three goal scorers — Kaden Camp (33), Mateusz Dixon (19) and Grant Hickman (10) — all graduated. "Truthfully you can't," said Lea of replacing 11 seniors. "But that's the challenge of high school sports. You lose guys every year. However, there's always a player or two that surprises you. "Players develop over the spring and summer, and someone you wouldn't have of thought of the previous year comes out this season and rises to the occasion." Davidson scored an eye-popping 60 goals for Edison last year. Junior Carter Jones was second on the team with 33 goals while Jose Serna Amaya, who graduated, tallied 25 goals. "This year's strengths will be having a deep roster," Lewis said. "We have 18 kids who can and will contribute to our season from Day 1 and will allow us to adjust during the season. "We will be running a new formation this season and will also have other formations ready to be used at any point during the season. This has been a key item we have been working on and will continue to work on." Both teams return their goalkeeper from last year. Junior Danny Buga made 58 saves for Perkins while junior Kaden Mees had 110 saves for Edison. Each were first-team league picks. "People might think that this is the year to get us," Lea said. "With all the players we graduated and owning the SBC for the last five years, I'm sure everyone is itching to get at us. We can't wait to get into those matches. We aren't going down without a fight. This isn't the end of an era. It's the beginning of a new one." AROUND THE SBC Norwalk The Truckers' two league losses came to Edison and Perkins, finishing 9-2 in league play. Norwalk was 10-7 overall, but their two best goal scorers from a year ago both graduated. Elliott Gahring scored 15 goals while Landon Ferkel tallied 12 goals. The top returner in terms of goals is sophomore Luke Jameson, who had eight goals as a freshman. "It's no secret to anyone that Noah Jameson is the fastest player on our team," Norwalk coach Chris Schnell said. "He is probably the fastest player in the conference. But we have to find out where our other goals will come from. "Conor Nickle, Roman Snyder and Kingston Gonzales are all more than capable of adding to our goal totals. Cruz Santiago had a down season last year when it comes to stats. But when he is on his game, he can be the best player on the field. "We will have to see who will step up." Abe Linder made 72 saves in goal for Norwalk during his freshman season. "I think this will be a very interesting season for us," Schnell said. "We have a bunch of seniors who have played a lot of varsity time. But we also have a handful of sophomores on our roster who are chomping at the bit to show that they belong on a varsity team. "We are going to have to gel as a team in order for us to have the success we want this season." Port Clinton All three of the Redskins' first-team picks from a year ago — Lincoln Beasley (defender), Wyatt Brand (midfielder) and Casey Brand (attacker) — graduated. Casey Brand led PC with 18 goals while Wyatt Brand was third with nine goals. Senior Adam Fitt had 11 goals last year as a junior. "We are a young team that has shown a lot of growth since last season," Redskins coach Paco Romero said. "Our team is a hard working team that strives to improve at each practice and game. "Our team's grit and determination of improving everyday is our biggest strength." Goalkeeper Caden Hanson (second team), defender Boe Mominee (honorable mention) and midfielder Brody Schierberg (honorable mention) all graduated, as well. Hanson made 152 saves for Port Clinton, which finished 8-7-2 overall and 6-4-1 in league action. "After graduating 13 seniors last season, we will continue to work on playing on new positioning and roles on the field," Romero said. "Our boys program has grown and they are excited for the season to start and compete." Sandusky The Blue Streaks won just one game last year, finishing 1-14-1. It came in league play as Sandusky was 1-8-1 in the league. Sandusky looks to build off that win over Clyde and tie with Tiffin Columbian. "We want to see improvement throughout the season and building on the foundation of who we are," Blue Streaks coach Isaac Campos said. Sandusky did not have any first-team league picks, but return second-team pick Felipe Gonzalez, a senior midfielder. Honorable mention defender Brayan Leon, a senior, also returns. "Defending as a team and better build up plays," said Campos on things Sandusky will have to improve on. "The team is working hard to get better every day." Clyde Clyde finished 1-13-1 overall and 0-10-1 in the league. The Fliers' lone league pick, Aidan Greenslade at attacker, is a senior this year. "We look forward to a competitive season," Clyde coach James Attinger said. "Our togetherness, size and strength will drive us this season. "We will have to continue to grow the basics technically and with us only graduating one senior from last season, our tactical awareness and ability will be something we look forward to improving." The others Vermilion went 11-8 last season, finishing 8-3 in league play. The Sailors return first-team defender Brody Morrow (senior) and first-team midfielder Noah Penton (senior), but must replace first-team attacker Brady Parker, who graduated. Huron was 4-7 in league matches a season ago, going 4-13 overall. The Tigers bring back second-team goalkeeper Ryder Orzech (sophomore) and second-team midfielder Paul Murray (junior). Returning All-SBC selections First team Keeper: Danny Buga, Perkins; Kaden Mees, Edison Defender: Trevor Leimeister, Edison; Brody Morrow, Vermilion Midfielder: Noah Penton, Vermilion; Caiden Genson, Northwood Attacker: Titus Normington-Slay, Perkins; Carter Jones, Edison Second team Keeper: Ryder Orzech, Huron Defender: Gabe Serna Amaya, Edison; Jayden Pettry, Vermilion Midfielder: Gannon Chartrant, Edison; Paul Murray, Huron; Felipe Gonzalez, Sandusky Attacker: Gavyn Blackburn, Edison; Adam Fitt, Port Clinton; Noah James, Norwalk Honorable mention Keeper: Corey Pool, Columbian Defender: Roman Snyder, Norwalk; Brayan Leon, Sandusky Midfielder: Kingston Gonzales, Norwalk; Johan Ramos, Norwalk Attacker: Aiden Greenslade, Clyde; Reyli Alejandro, Willard