Midseason update: LCS also No. 1 for boys soccer; here are rest of Polk's top 10 teams
The top teams in the county in recent years have been Lakeland Christian, McKeel, Ridge Community and Lake Gibson so it should not be a surprise that they are four of the top five teams in the county. A newcomer to the scene is third-year school Davenport. The four corners area of Polk County has been fertile ground for soccer players and Davenport and Ridge, the two teams closest to the area, are a combined 17-3.
Here are the top 10 boys soccer teams in Polk County as they head down the stretch.
1. Lakeland Christian (10-2)
The Vikings, led by a strong junior class, has split with McKeel and began the new year with an impressive 5-2 win over Auburndale. Avery Cassell leads with seven goals, and freshman Brayden Gathwright scored twice against the Bloodhounds and now has six goal. Trace Andrews is key in the midfield. The defense led by Henry Strawbridge and Charlie Hill is the strength of the team and junior Gray Ottman is one of the top goalkeepers in the county.
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2. McKeel (9-3)
Despite graduating county player of the year Calvin Steele, the Wildcats, who made the final four for the first time last season, remains a top team. They had a big win over Davenport in early December.
3. Davenport (10-2)
The Broncos opened the season with a loss to All Saints then won seven in a row before falling to McKeel.
4. Ridge Community (7-1)
The Bolts shot out of the gate with six consecutive wins before falling to Davenport 3-0. They closed out the year with a 4-2 win over Mulberry then opened 2024 with a 3-3 tie vs. Four Corners.
5. Lake Gibson (8-5)
Lake Gibson split with McKeel and beat McKeel in mid-November. Gregory Jackson II has emerged as a top scorer with 10 goals. Sebastian Esteva Urdaneta has nine goals. They’ve combined for 19 of the team’s 26 goals. The Braves are the only team in 6A-6 with a winning record.
6. Auburndale (7-4)
The Bloodhounds closed out 2023 with four straight wins then let its game on Friday against Lakeland Christian get away in the first half, falling behind 4-0 at the half before losing, 5-2. Drake Sadler (9 goals), Eros Hagan (8 goals) and Cameron Payne (7 goals). Austin Newbern is one of the top goalkeepers in the county.
7. Winter Haven (7-4-1)
Macalister Kanzler Ratcliffe has 15 goals and six assists and Anthony Castro has 10 goals with five assists to lead the Blue Devils. They are another team that started strong before hitting a rough spot, going 5-1 to start the season then going 0-3-1 before closing out the year with a win over Lake Wales, 2-0 and a win over Lake Region, 4-2, last week.
8. Lake Wales (8-6)
The Highlanders began the season 6-0 and are 2-6 since the fast start. They beat Tenoroc 8-0 and lost to Hardee 3-2 last week to start the new year. Freshman James Burke has been one of the impact freshman in the county and and has six goals.
9. Fort Meade (6-6)
The Miners began the season 1-4 and since have gone 5-2. Senior Emmanuel Beltran has nine goals and nine assists, and freshman Dylan Flores has nine goals and five assists to lead the Miners.
10. Bartow (3-6-2)
The Yellow Jackets got off to a 3-1 start with wins over Fort Meade and McKeel but are 0-5-2 since.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Midseason update: Here are Polk County's top 10 teams in girls soccer
