Arnold staked his claim as the best boys soccer team in the state of Florida when the Marlins defeated Jesuit 4-3 in a penalty shootout to end the season with the FHSAA Class 5A state championship.
A key cog and savior in the shootout was goaltender Josh Chandler. He made key saves in his final game and many more throughout the season, powering the Marlins.
For his efforts, Chandler was voted Bay County Youth Soccer Player of the Year by coaches.
championship heroesBest in the end: Goalie saves last kick of shootout, Arnold wins state soccer title
road to redemptionHow Arnold fended off top-ranked opponents and silenced critics on his way to second state title
“This means a lot to me because without God, I would not have decided to become the person and player I am today,” Chandler said.
Chandler allowed just 10 points in 24 games, the fourth-fewest in the nation for a winter soccer school, and made 82 saves. He is the most important player on the roster for the state semifinal game against Pembroke Pines and the championship.
“I was nervous, but I knew I had a job to do, so I had to follow through and do my best,” Chandler said. “I tell myself I have to save this or I'll lose the game. It sticks with me and pushes me even harder.”
Youth Soccer Coach of the Year: Jonathan Hammond
Winning a championship is a difficult task, but winning multiple times at the highest level takes a special group led by a special leader. After losing to Booker T. Washington in the Sweet 16 last season, Arnold came back reinvigorated.
Hammond and the Marlins defeated their opponents and won the program's second state title. For his efforts, Hammond was named Bay County Boys Soccer Coach of the Year.
“It's an honor to receive this award, especially in the presence of other great coaches in the area,” Hammond said. “This is more of a team award and special recognition for our players.”
Each year, the Marlins choose a theme and identity for the team. This season, they chose “The Redeem Team” in honor of the 2008 U.S. Olympic men's basketball team, which won gold in Beijing after the team struggled four years ago.
“We have had good teams in the past with as many talented players as the boys varsity team, but we had to find a way to come together as a team and achieve our goal of winning a state championship.” Hammond said. “One of the hardest things as a coach is getting your team to believe in what you're teaching and want to follow and believe in you,” Hammond said.
The Marlins finished the season with a 22-1-1 record and are a two-time FHSAA state champion, four-time Bay County champion, three-time district champion, and graduating senior class who will finish their career with an 87-4-6 record. Regional champion at the time.
“Our players competed every game and each team had a great game against one of the toughest schedules in the nation,” Coach Hammond said.
| Bay County Boys Soccer 1st Team All-County | |||
| position | player | School year | school |
| forward | sander richard | 12 | arnold high school |
| midfield | stone hutton | 12 | arnold high school |
| midfield | cricket lebdawi | 12 | arnold high school |
| defender | hunter griffin | 12 | arnold high school |
| defender | felix reimer | 12 | arnold high school |
| defender | Dom Castellanos | 12 | arnold high school |
| defender | landon ulman | 12 | arnold high school |
| defender | Josiah Dunlap | 12 | arnold high school |
| goalkeeper | Josh Chandler | 12 | arnold high school |
| midfield | zack hottop | 11 | arnold high school |
| midfield | Fernando Granillo | Ten | arnold high school |
| forward | clint wizard | Ten | arnold high school |
| midfield | Flint Harigas | 12 | bay high school |
| winger | Ahmed Abdelhay | 12 | bay high school |
| center back | grant gross road | 12 | bay high school |
| defender | Brian Perez | 11 | bay high school |
| winger | Chris Aguilar | 11 | bay high school |
| midfield | Aaron Banegas | 11 | bay high school |
| defender | thomas sale | Ten | bay high school |
| goalkeeper | Daniel Himes | 12 | bay high school |
| striker | Ever Salas | 9 | bay high school |
| striker | Fernando Matute | 12 | bay high school |
| midfielder | Landin Tanton | 12 | mosley high school |
| center back | riley fulton | 12 | mosley high school |
| striker | Ethan Chong | 11 | mosley high school |
| midfield | chase reed | Ten | north bay haven |
| midfield | lucas reed | Ten | north bay haven |
| midfield | jackson everhart | 9 | north bay haven |
| forward | carter cole | 12 | north bay haven |
| center back | jackson summers | 12 | rutherford high school |
| winger | robert perez | Ten | rutherford high school |
| midfield | Mayor Soto | 11 | rutherford high school |
| winger | Xavien Olds | 9 | rutherford high school |
| midfield | Jensel Herrera | 11 | rutherford high school |
| center back | Leibert Hechavarria | 11 | rutherford high school |
Banji Bamidele is a sports reporter for the Panama City News Herald. He can be reached at abamidele@gannett.com or through X (previously he was known as Twitter) @AdebanjiBoid1..
