High School Boys Soccer: Which 10 Pensacola-area players should you keep an eye on this winter

Fields across the state are being put to good use during this time of year.

Football players have rumbled up and down the gridiron this fall, with some teams hoping to make a deep run into the winter. But as of now, the colder months on the calendar belong to those that call the pitch their home.

Soccer programs across the state opened regular-season play in boys and girls competition earlier this week, with several programs such as Gulf Breeze, West Florida, Tate, Milton and Pine Forest already adding a win under their belts. For the Eagles, they collected the program’s first victory since the 2020-21 campaign with a 6-2 triumph over East Hill Christian on Monday.

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Many teams will look to make a return trip to the postseason, headlined by Booker T. Washington aiming for a return trip to state.

Before play really ramps up, here's a look at some of the area's best players to look for in the 2023-24 boys soccer season.

Michael Christensen, Sr., Tate

One of the mainstays from an Aggies program that graduated several seniors, Christensen returns as one of the team’s leaders and is regarded as one of the area’s top midfielders. He finished tied for second in scoring with six goals and was fourth in points with 14.

Jackson Clarke, Sr., Tate

Contributing to six field goals to the school’s turnaround football season, Clarke looks to make a splash as one of several players to transfer to the Aggies. Leading West Florida a season ago in scoring, Clarke helped the Jaguars reach the Class 4A postseason. Also making the move from West Florida to Tate is head coach Mason Clarke, Jackson’s father.

Kyle Cosenza, Sr., Gulf Breeze

With the graduation of team captain Gavin Gailey and team assist leader Aiden Burr, Consenza is projected to help fill those big shoes in the midfield. The center midfielder was fourth on the team in shots last season. According to head coach Austin King, he’s expected “to be a big contributor.”

Carson Dahlem, Sr., Gulf Breeze

Despite playing in limited minutes, the winger had a knack for scoring huge goals in big moments a season ago. His most significant goal broke a scoreless tie in double overtime during the District 1-6 title game against Tate. Dahlem will see a bump in time on the pitch with junior star Will Woodward out for the season.

Kyle Hunnicutt, Sr. Booker T. Washington

The two-time PNJ Player of the Year enters his senior campaign with multiple Division I college offers. Hunnicutt produced a stellar junior campaign in leading Booker T. Washington to its first Final Four appearance in 30 years. He saved his best for the postseason, delivering a goal in five of six playoff games. After producing a goal and an assist during the team’s regional semifinal win at Arnold, the No. 2-ranked team in the country, Hunnicutt put in two scores and added an assist in the Wildcats’ Region 1-5A Final win at Fort Walton Beach.

Lucas Isakson, Sr., Gulf Breeze

In addition to the loss of Woodward, the Dolphins will be without Peyton Tatro, last season’s team leader in goals (17) and points (42) who has since graduated. That’s where Isakson will enter the equation after scoring four goals in his first varsity season. “We will look to attack through him this season,” King said of his center forward.

Sawyer Kuba, Jr., Booker T. Washington

While Hunnicutt led the Wildcats in goals, Kuba was just as much a scoring threat last season, finishing with 16 goals. The dangerous forward produced three hat tricks while also putting the ball in the back of the net in the team’s regional final victory at Fort Walton Beach.

Cooper Nolen, Soph., Pensacola

No freshman last season scored more goals than Nolen. The forward notched team bests of 14 goals and 33 points. He’ll look to put up better numbers for the Tigers while playing alongside older brother, Clayton, and for father, Steven.

Landon Rhymer, Fr., Booker T. Washington

Considered by Wildcats head coach Felipe Lawall as the “best freshman in the area by far,” Rhymer enters his first season at the high school level with quite the pedigree already. He was selected to the regional level of US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program. Additionally, he’s a member of the Rush regional team after being selected to its national team last season.

Ian Stinnett, Soph., Tate

Yet another player to transfer to the Aggies, the 2023 PNJ Newcomer of the Year comes from Pensacola Catholic. Although his freshman season was abbreviated, Stinnett made a major impact during the postseason. He put up points in all three of Catholic's wins during the District 1-3A tournament, highlighted by a hat trick in his playoff debut.

Honorable Mention: Lenin Barahona, Escambia; Justin Bolden, Tate; Cody Carmody, West Florida; Ryan Chandler, Booker T. Washington; Tyler Clarke, Tate; Wiley Collins, Gulf Breeze; Alex Espinosa, Tate; Clayton Nolen, Pensacola; Ward O’Brien, Tate; Hayden Olson, Francisco Pena, Tate; Jackson Perkins, Escambia; Sean Richardson, Escambia; West Florida, Dakota Vann, West Florida; Henry Wenzara, Escambia

Patrick Bernadeau is a sports reporter for the Pensacola News Journal. He can be reached at (772) 985-9692, on X at @PatBernadeau or via email at pbernadeau@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Boys Soccer: 10 Pensacola-area players to watch for 2023-24 season