What to know about Jackson boys high school soccer in 2024 season: Top players, storylines
Jackson area boys soccer teams are back on the field for the 2024 season.
Several teams had successful seasons in 2023, but none more successful than the Madison Mustangs, who earned their first TSSAA state championship.
While most teams have already played at least one match, here’s a look at some of the top storylines to follow and top players to watch this season.
Top storylines
Madison faces challenges to defend state title
The Mustangs claimed their first state championship last May with a dramatic penalty shootout against Alcoa after losing in the title game to Gatlinburg-Pittman in 2022.
Donovan Pruitte, last year’s All-West Tennessee player of the year, led the Mustangs to the title with 46 goals in his senior season to total 106 goals in a three-year career – his freshman season was canceled due to COVID-19. Pruitte is playing at Alabama-Huntsville.
Kyle Korth scored the state-title-clinching goal and is one of the five seniors who graduated from the championship team.
The other big challenge is the Mustangs are without their coach from last season. Coach Igor Luczensky had to move to Sacred Heart in order to retain his work visa. He is from Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Girls coach Jeremy Young took over coaching the boys team, too.
Crockett County, McKenzie aim return to TSSAA boys soccer tournament
Other than Madison, two West Tennessee teams qualified for the Division I state tournament.
Crockett County was knocked out of the quarterfinals by Knoxville Halls with a 2-0 final. McKenzie was knocked out of the tournament in the quarterfinal round by Madison 5-0.
Both teams have some returning players, and hope to make their way back to Murfreesboro in May.
Haywood, USJ among top contenders
Haywood had a strong season in 2023, but it came to an end with a 5-1 loss to Crockett County in the sectional game after losing the regional championship game.
In Division II, USJ rolled to a district championship and finished third in its region. The Bruins, however, lost in the state quarterfinals against The Webb School 4-2..
Top players to watch
Christopher Cerda, Crockett County, So.: Cerda was a member of the All-West Tennessee second team last season as a freshman.
Victor Mejia, Haywood, Jr.: Mejia tallied 22 goals and 13 assists for the Tomcats last season.
Roy Macias, Madison, Jr.: Macias backstopped the Mustangs to the state championship and had a 0.494 goals against average last season.
Stafford Roditis, McKenzie, Sr.: Roditis helped anchor the Rebels back field to post shutouts in seven of their 11 games last season.
Mario Martinez, North Side, Sr.: Martinez totaled 53 saves for North Side last season.
Irving Garcia, Sacred Heart, Sr.: Garcia scored 26 goals for the Knights last season.
Grand Goodman, South Gibson, Sr.: Goodman had a team-best 15 goals and seven assists for the Hornets last season.
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Ryan Huthinson, USJ, Sr.: Hutchison was the district MVP last season and totaled 12 goals and 12 assists.
Anderson Preston, USJ, Sr.: Preston scored a team-high 24 goals last season and was on the All-District team.
Christian Lo, South Side, Sr.: Lo had an 80% save percentage and had four shutouts last season for the Hawks.
This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: TSSAA soccer: Jackson boys 2024 season preview, top players, storylines
