After reaching the Class 2A state championship last season, Century fans are certainly looking forward to seeing to how their team built off an impressive title game run and if they can use that momentum to take things one step further and win the ultimate prize in 2024.
But in order to do that, the Knights will have some business to take care of locally first, and it won’t be easy.
On their way to the title game, Century knocked off Francis Scott Key, regional finalist South Carroll and county champion Westminster to end the regular season, before ending Winters Mill’s season with a victory in the regional final.
All three teams return key players as they look to exact revenge on the Knights and take home the county title this season. Liberty, who is coming off a regional championship of their own, looks to be in the mix as well with a deep roster and dangerous attack.
In Manchester Valley, despite the graduation of Player of the Year Grant Miller, coach John Woodley brings two key seniors and a couple of talented newcomers to the table as they look to win one of the state’s most competitive regions.
Playing in Carroll County is sure to be an advantage for every team come playoff time. With a tight county title race, each squad will surely enter the playoffs tough and battle tested.
Here’s a preview of each team as the 2024 season gets set to kickoff:
Century
Coach: Stephen Hurst, second season
Last season: 11-8-1
Top returners: Seniors Nick McGhin, Jackson Barioto and Noah Greenwade
Outlook: Read more about the Knights here
Francis Scott Key
Coach: Andy Hicks, second season
Last season: 1-14
Top returners: Seniors Chris Bay, Owen Stewart, Evan Myers and Nate Myers.
Newcomers to watch: Sophomores Beau O’Donnell and Harry Eiwen.
Coach’s outlook: “This year should be very exciting for us. We have a solid roster with a ton of experience at the varsity level. We are a cohesive unit with tremendous team chemistry and we will always be up for a battle.”
Gerstell Academy
Coach: AJ Berry, second season
Last season: 6-4-3
Top returners: Seniors Justin Rudo, Landon Yetta and Gavin Larson.
Newcomers to watch: Sophomore Preston Harris
Coach’s outlook: “We have a great young team for this year that brings a lot of energy. It will be a competitive year to make the playoffs and push for a MIAA B Conference final.”
Liberty
Coach: Donnie Kwedar, second season
Last season: 10-7, regional champion, state semifinalist
Top returners: Seniors Lucas Brito, Nate Frey, Austen Veach, Connor Clapper, Arjun Singh and Hamza Kahn
Newcomers to watch: N/A
Outlook: With several returning players from a regional championship winning squad, the Lions seemed poised to return to states and once again cement themselves in the top tier of both Carroll County and Class 1A.
Manchester Valley
Coach: John Woodley, fifth season
Last season: 10-5-2, regional finalist
Top returners: Seniors Alex Martinez and Brady Bonney; juniors Lino Colin Jr and Ben Phillips.
Newcomers to watch: Junior Ty Pennewell; sophomores Ryan Cellitto and Brady Strohman.
Coach’s outlook: “This will be a promising young team striving to display their disciplined and competitive brand of soccer on the pitch.”
South Carroll
Coach: Ed Warton, sixth season
Last season: 7-10, regional finalist
Top returners: Seniors Alik Giguere, Matt Long and Jonah Oetken
Newcomers to watch: Senior Max Schult and junior Hayden Leineweber
Coach’s outlook: “It’s always exciting, and a bit stressful, to start a new season. Everyone has a positive mindset and is willing to put in a lot of hard work to improve from last season.”
Westminster
Coach: Jim Reigel, fourth season
Last season: 6-4-2
Top returners: Seniors Ashton Gifford, Abbott Houle and Will Donovan. Juniors BJ Murray and Luke Schoberg
Newcomers to watch: N/A
Coach’s outlook: “I anticipate a highly competitive county title race.”
Winters Mill
Coach: Dave Ledford, first season
Last season: 8-6, regional finalist
Top returners: Juniors Ben King, John Bechtel and Parker Barry; sophomore Deacon Cassidy
Newcomers to watch: Freshman Colt Dorsey
Coach’s outlook: “Excited for the amount of young talent that will be returning this year with Varsity experience.” “We have a lot of young talent that is ready to compete. I expect the county title to be a tight race and could be anyone’s for the taking.”
