CM boys soccer: experience up front an expected strength
By John Lipez
BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP, PA – One thing Central Mountain boys’ soccer coach Billy Hook and his team knows: they’re in for a challenge every season in the powerful Heartland Athletic Conference and 2023 looks to be no exception. But with 13 returning letterwinners, the Wildcats are looking to hold their own.
The varsity and jayvee units will number around 39 as turnout and interest in the soccer program has been solid. Coach Hook noted the team will feature a big senior class with a strong supporting cast that took advantage of injuries and other opportunities last season.
It’s up front where coach Hook sees strength: “Our attack returns with our leading scorer Peyton Jones who had 11 goals as well as 7 assists last year, Asher Talbot missed a couple games to injury and still had 5 goals and 5 assists, and Lincoln Breon had 6 assists. Those three especially will be counted on to lead our attack again.”
According to the coach, Jack Grieco did a nice job last year creating opportunities and will be expected to add to that. Pierce Long and Zane Cooper started building a strong chemistry in the midfield and the staff will be counting on them to lead the show there. Griffin Confer (2 goals) and Dylan Bechdel (3 goals) were two freshmen that took advantage of their opportunities last season and hope to add to their scoring totals.
The Wildcat back line and goalkeepers are low on varsity experience. According to coach Hook, they’ve done a good job in the spots they’ve had opportunities. “Isaiah Brinker has the most time back there and will be counted on a lot. Bronson Brungard has some experience there but hasn’t been a full-time defender in his career. Cole Cooper got some time there as a freshman and did a good job, he’s shown some very nice development in the offseason.”
The team goalie competition will be important: Jaggar Pardoe showed some promise as a freshman in his couple of opportunities, and he’s been competing with Andrew Brown since the spring looking towards the starting job. Luke Simcox, a three-time PIAA medalist in wrestling, is going to join the goalie competition. According to the coach, it will be exciting to see who comes out on top.
He said the senior class is very close; most of them have been playing together since 7th grade and you can tell they want to end their high school careers on a high note.
“The PHAC will continue to be a huge battle for us.” coach Hook said. “Lewisburg lost in the state semifinals last year and have been perennial contenders for years now. Danville and Selinsgrove were both in the state playoffs last year. Williamsport is always tough. Milton brings back a strong senior class who had a ton of success last season. There are no nights off in the conference, that’s for sure. Have the utmost respect for these teams.”
District 6 goes through Altoona and State College, per the coach. “Altoona ended our season last year in the district semis, and we begin our season with them at home this year which is kind of cool. I expect them to be tough as usual. We haven’t played against State in a few years but they are the 3-time defending champs and Danny Orton always has a strong team under him.”
The season opener with Altoona will be Wednesday, Aug. 30, followed by another home contest with Warrior Run on Tuesday, Sept. 5.
