In the third installment, we introduced the appeal of the PK Young Women's Soccer Team, which advanced to the top four for the first time in program history in February.
In the FHSAA Class 3A Region 1 final, the Lady Blue Wave (16-4-3) defeated Episcopal (Jacksonville) 2-1 at home to advance to this year's 3A state semifinals, but they were defeated by No. 3 nationally ranked Montverde. We lost to Academy. -0, state semifinals.
Following their first state semifinal appearance and fifth straight district championship, PK Young girls soccer coach Rebecca Shakou and PK Young boys soccer coach Jose de Leon led the boys team to 20 wins on the season and a 4th place 3A district title. led to. He won the playoffs and was recognized as the top elementary school girls and boys coach that year.
They named Santa Fe (Alachua) boys big school coach Morgan Dallaqua and girls big school coach Matt Kramer (Santa Fe) the Boshardt Realty Coaches of the Year.
“PKY's women's soccer program has always had players with big dreams and big goals,” Shakou said. “Each year we have tried to achieve as much as possible, knowing that because we have done our best, we can be proud of whatever results or results we have. This season was especially special because we made it.”
Shakou, who finished third in the Florida Dairy Farmers 3A Coach of the Year voting, achieved 100 career wins this year.
“I am honored and happy to represent all the players and coaches who have built a legacy of excellence before us and who have helped us achieve this feat,” she said. “It's a great feeling to win an important match and advance to the final four. The experience was amazing and very memorable.”
Last year, PK Young fell just short of advancing to the final four, losing to Bolles (Jacksonville) 3-2 in double overtime in the 3A Region 1 final.
“The players understand that they need to work harder to improve and move forward, and to be the best they can be as a team,” said Shakou, who was named Main Street Elementary School Girls Coach of the Year. He was willing to make that effort.” last year. “They are a brave and selfless bunch. I'm really proud of them. I'm so happy for them to experience the joy that comes with big wins and big accomplishments.”
Keystone Heights coach Roger Laurent received special recognition for leading his team to a district runner-up and postseason berth.
The Indians (12-7-1) lost to the Lady Blue Wave three times this year, going 5-0 in the 3A District 4 championship game and 0-8 in the first round of the 3A state playoffs. .
Kramer led Santa Fe to the postseason, finishing ahead of Gainesville High School's Jeremy Witt (11-4-2) in the leading girls' school COY poll.
“This year, we were blessed with a great group of girls who were ambitious and had a never-give-up attitude,” Kramer said. “They not only excelled on the field, but in the classroom as well. They knew that student work was more important than the athlete part, and they ended up with one of the highest GPAs in the school. They made me look good as a coach and showed me how much hard work and determination can do.”
Santa Fe, which lost both games to the Hurricanes this season, defeated Suwanee (Live Oak) for the 4A District 2 championship, while second-seeded GHS was upset by third-seeded Forest (Ocala) and missed the playoffs. . -0, 6A-4 district semifinals.
“This was the best season for GHS girls in 20 years,” Witt said.
This was a huge turnaround for PK Young Boys, who won just eight games last year.
The Blue Wave (20-3) surpassed that total before the start of 2024 and finished the year with a 1-1 record in the Class 3A state playoffs.
“I am truly humbled and grateful to receive the Coach of the Year award,” De Leon said. “It is an honor to be recognized with so much talent and deserving leaders in our region.”
PK Young defeated North Bay Haven Academy of Panama City 4-0 in the first round of the 3A state playoffs, then lost to eventual state semifinalist McRae (Tallahassee) 8-0 in the regional semifinals. .
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my team for their hard work, dedication and unwavering support throughout the season, but most importantly for being a fun team to work with,” de Leon said. “Without their passion and dedication, I would not have won this award. I am truly blessed to work with such an amazing group of athletes who constantly inspire me to be the best coach I can be. ”
He also thanked his coaching staff, school and family for “joining me on this amazing journey.”
“Their belief in me and constant encouragement contributed to my success,” he said. “My ultimate goal as a coach is to help athletes reach their full potential on and off the field, so they can have fun and learn valuable life lessons beyond the soccer field. This award is a reminder that we can make a huge impact when we work together towards a common goal.”
Bell's Douglas Beard, who led the Bulldogs (12-5) to within one game of advancing to the 2A Final Four, and Oak Hall's Andy Westfall (13-1-1), who defeated Bell for an undefeated regular season. , 2- In the 2A-2 district title game, 0 were selected as honorable mentions.
This was quite a turnaround for the Santa Fe Boys, who won just five games last season.
In his first season, Dallaqua led the Raiders to an 11-4-2 record, winning the district championship and qualifying for the FHSAA playoffs.
“I'm really shocked to be named Coach of the Year,” Dallaqua said. “There are some very worthy coaches in our area. From a major school side, it’s hard to vote for anyone other than Coach Basil at GHS, but this season Coach Buchholz’s Journey won it all. . He had the kids play great ball all season and outplayed me in the Alachua County Cup.”
Santa Fe defeated Suwanee (Live Oak) 3-1 to win the 4A District 2 title, but lost two games at home to eventual state semifinalist South Walton (Santa Rosa Beach) in the 4A first round. I lost by 1. state playoffs.
“This is an SFHS staff award,” Dalacqua said. “We could not be more fortunate to have a group of coaches who are able to lead our program and have self-motivated success, but who are willing to work together to make this program a special place. Secondly, none of this would be possible without the buy-in from the players, especially the first-year staff. This recognition is a testament to their hard work and dedication over the past nine months. This is the result.”
Journey received special recognition, coming in second place in the voting behind Daracqua.
The Bobcats (11-2-3) lost in an overtime shootout to Forest (Ocala) in the 6A District 4 championship game, followed by an overtime shootout at Tate (Cantonment) in the first round of the 6A state playoffs. I was defeated.
“Overall, the Buchholz boys soccer team was very successful considering they only lost two games in overtime and on penalty kicks. It’s been two exciting games,” Journey said.
Girls' school (2A-3A)
Coach of the Year: Rebecca Shakou, PK Young
Honorable mention: Roger Laurent, Keystone Heights
Girls – Big School (4A-6A)
Coach of the Year: Matt Kramer, Santa Fe
Honorable Mention (COY): Jeremy Witt, Gainesville
Boys – Elementary School (2A-3A)
Coach of the Year: Jose de Leon, PK Yongji
Honorable Mention (COY): Douglas Beard, Bell, Andy Westfall, Oak Hall
Boys – Big School (4A-6A)
Coach of the Year: Morgan Dalacqua (Santa Fe)
Honorable Mention (COY): Philip Journey, Buchholz
