2023-2024 Regional youth soccer team
Released on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 12:00 p.m.
Landan Beasley
wesson
As a senior, Beasley was a rock on the defensive side of the field for Wesson coach Hank Jordan. The Cobras finished 9-8 and advanced to the first round of the MHSAA Region I playoffs, defeating Enterprise Clark 3-2 in overtime. It was the Cobras' second postseason win in program history.
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Lawrence County
As a junior, Boyd became a scoring threat for the Lawrence County Cougars and first-year head coach Gage Daly. Boyd led the Cougars with 22 goals and LC finished 10-13 on the road at Poplarville, losing 3-2 in the opening round of the MHSAA 4A playoffs. Boyd had seven assists, his first for the team this season.
cooper creel,
Lloyd Star
Creel, a sophomore, continued to be an all-around performer for Lloyd Star this season, earning All-Area honors for the third year in a row. His 12 goals and 14 assists helped coach Jordan Lee and the Hornets finish 18-4-1. Lloyd Star won the Region 7-Class I championship and Creel was named the region's Most Valuable Player.
Yojan Hernandez
brookhaven academy
Hernandez, a junior, once again did a little bit of everything to help Brookhaven Academy and coach Alex Brown finish with a 21-2 record. He had 34 goals and 12 assists for the Cougars, earning All-Area honors for the fourth year in a row. Hernandez scored three or more goals on five different occasions, including a season-best four goals in the win over Cathedral School.
jaden lee
Lloyd Star
Lee, a senior, transferred to Lloyd Star to play his final season under his brother and head coach Jordan Lee. In just one season as goalie, Lear commanded a backline that allowed just 18 goals on 153 shots for a Lloyd Star team that went 18-4-1. Lee recorded eight shutouts and was named Region 7 Class I Goaltender of the Year.
ethan lopez
brookhaven high
Lopez, a junior, has been one of the Panthers' most talented goal scorers and a repeat All-Area selection since joining coach Aaron Ayers' varsity squad. This season, he had 21 goals and 18 assists as a striker for a BHS team that finished 16-7 and advanced to the opening round of the MHSAA 5A playoffs.
Christian Kayaks Marine
wesson
Kayaks Mullin, a junior, was a great playmaker in a variety of places and ways for coach Hank Jordan and the Cobras this season. Kayaks-Marin was one of the team's leaders offensively with 10 goals and 16 assists. The Kayaks' overtime 3-2 victory over Marin and the Cobras in the first round of the Class I playoffs marked the second postseason victory in program history.
Nathan Mills
Lloyd Star
Mills, a senior, played just one season of football for the Hornets, splitting his time on the basketball court. Despite splitting minutes, the athletic Mills scored a team-best 19 goals for a Lloyd Star team that went 18-4-1 and won the region title for the first time in program history. Mills also contributed five assists for coach Jordan Lee.
bryce smith
brookhaven high
Smith, a senior, is back in net for the Brookhaven High Panthers after rehabbing a knee injury that cost him his junior season. Smith, an All-Area selection as a sophomore, stopped 90 percent of the shots he faced this season for a BHS team that finished 16-7. Smith originally signed with Mississippi Gulf Coast CC to play football, but after his recent arrival, he will attend the Naval Academy instead.
Cooper Strickland, Brookhaven Academy
Stickland, a senior, had the best season of his career, helping captain Brookhaven Academy to a 21-2 record and the program's first state title game appearance. Strickland, once again an All-Area selection, scored 34 goals and was second on the team with 18 assists, helping BA win its third straight district championship.
Michael Thomas Stewart, Brookhaven High School
Stewart, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound senior, showed the physical touch to be one of Brookhaven High School's leading scorers on the offensive line. Stewart scored 22 goals and had 14 assists, leading coach Aaron Ayers and his BHS team to a program-best 16-7 record.
Markham Williams, Brookhaven High School
Williams, a junior, was once again an All-Area selection after a standout season at the center back position on Brookhaven High School's defense. He and his defensive teammates were part of a unit that saw BHS go scoreless in 15 different games. Williams was recently selected to play in the Central Mississippi All-Star Game held at Southwest Mississippi CC.
