THE OKLAHOMAN'S ALL-CITY BOYS SOCCER FIRST TEAM
Editor's note: The OKC Metro High School Sports Awards will feature an overall All-City team for each sport at the season-ending award show on June 8. This year's Metro High School Sports Awards All-City boys soccer team consists of 12 Player of the Year nominees, regardless of position.
Player of the Year finalist: Enrique Guzman, Santa Fe South
Class: Senior | Position: Forward
The story: Santa Fe South won a Class 5A state title for the second straight year, and again, Guzman gave the Saints a major boost. The versatile star finished the season with 15 goals and 21 assists as Santa Fe South went 161-1 in a schedule that included an outof-state tournament.
Player of the Year finalist: Fabian Hernandez, Crooked Oak
Class: Senior | Position: Forward
The story: On the way to the Class 3A state finals, Hernandez impacted more than half of his team’s goals. The senior forward set a school record with 40 goals — which is also believed to be a state record – and added 10 assists. With his stellar contributions, Crooked Oak defeated Class 6A teams to win the Stillwater Cup and finished the season 14-2.
Player of the Year finalist: Federico Palacios, Northwest Classen
Class: Senior | Position: Forward
The story: Palacios brought leadership to the Knights as they made a thrilling run into the Class 6A state semifinals. Northwest Classen toppled defending champion Norman North in the first round of playoffs and avenged a regular-season loss to Putnam West with a 2-1 state quarterfinal win. Palacios tallied 18 goals and 17 assists throughout the Knights’ 13-5 season. He was named Jim Thorpe High School Player of the Year in boys soccer.
Tucker Austin, Heritage Hall
Class: Sophomore | Position: Forward
The story: Austin shined with two goals and an assist in the state finals, paving the way for a 3-2 victory over reigning champion Crooked Oak for the Class 3A title. He ended the season with a balanced stat line of 14 goals and 12 assists.
Eli Berry, Deer Creek
Class: Junior | Position: Forward
The story: Berry energized the Antlers’ offense with 15 goals and 10 assists as they won a district title and reached the Class 6A state semifinals. He received Central Oklahoma Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year honors.
Jimmy Cabrera, Santa Fe South
Class: Senior | Position: Midfielder
The story: Cabrera had another stellar season with the back-to-back state champion Saints. An Oklahoma Soccer Coaches Association All-Stater, Cabrera poured in 15 goals and 21 assists, tying Guzman for most assists on the team.
Roman Hemphill, Edmond Memorial
Class: Junior | Position: Midfielder The story: Hemphill’s early-season 60-yard kickoff goal set the tone for his productive year. With 25 goals, he brought his career total to 54, matching an Edmond Memorial record. Hemphill also added 18 assists as the Bulldogs advanced to the Class 6A state quarterfinals.
Antonio Hernandez, Crooked Oak
Class: Senior | Position: Goalkeeper
The story: Hernandez recorded six clean sheets as Crooked Oak (14-2) won the Stillwater Cup and reached the Class 3A state finals for the second straight year. He never conceded more than three goals in one match, allowing the Ruf-Nex to outscore their opponents 81-19.
Kaden Laisle, Crossings Christian
Class: Sophomore | Position: Forward The story: Laisle netted 26 goals, setting a school record alongside teammate Charlie Cook. He also stood out as a facilitator, adding 11 assists as the Knights went 11-5.
Kabl Kahkesh, Edmond Memorial
Class: Senior | Position: Forward
The story: In a trio of senior leaders, Kahkesh boosted the Bulldogs’ offense. He provided 18 goals and nine assists throughout Edmond Memorial’s 13-3 season.
Mung Mang, Mustang
Class: Senior | Position: Forward
The story: Mang played a role in nearly half of Mustang’s goals, notching 14 goals and 10 assists. He was the first forward chosen for the Oklahoma Soccer Coaches Association Class 6A West All-State team.
Jose Romero, Southeast
Class: Sophomore | Position: Midfielder
The story: Romero continued to emerge as a young star for the Spartans. He logged 22 goals and 12 assists as Southeast went 10-5 and reached the Class 5A state quarterfinals.
Coach of the Year: Wes Furley, Santa Fe South
The story: From 2014-15, Furley led Santa Fe South to back-to-back state titles in Class 4A. This year, he repeated that accomplishment in Class 5A. The Saints defeated Tulsa East Central, 2-0, in the 5A finals to secure their second straight state championship. And Santa Fe South’s matches were rarely close. The Saints outscored their opponents 104-13 and posted 10 shutout wins, including three in the playoffs.