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 After Nease dynasty, it's a wide-open season
for county programs
A look at the county boys soccer program
Nease played for three consecutive state boys soccer championships and
won two of them.
But after graduations, the Panthers are starting from scratch. And that's
an opportunity for one of the county's other programs to step forward. With
new districts drawn up and lots of talent returning at Creekside and Ponte
Vedra, it's anyone's guess on how the season will play out. Menendez and St.
Augustine start the season with new coaches, and Bartram Trail will look to
make its mark after dropping down in classification.
Bartram Trail
Coach: Mike Weflen
District: 4-4A
District opponents: Clay, Creekside, Menendez, Nease, Palm Coast Matanzas,
Palatka, Ponte Vedra, St. Augustine
How last season ended: Runner-up in district, lost to Fleming Island 1-0
in Class 5A regional semifinals
Players to watch: D Jeff Higel, sr.; D Connor Oswandel, sr.; MF Niko
Costas, sr.; MF Jordan Walker, sr.; F Kevin Murman, jr.; GK Connor Duran,
sr.; F Michael Papa, sr.; D Michael Larson, sr.
Glance: The Bears had a solid season, which was anchored by Shawn Rouf
and Shane Donovan. Those players combined for 32 goals for the 18-6-3 Bears.
The question this year is where does that production come from now? Papa and
Walker are the two more obvious picks to score, but All-County returnee
Costas and Murman will also factor into the offense. Bartram's strength will
be on defense.
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