HANCOCK COUNTY — The high school boys soccer season is quickly approaching with tryouts and the first official practice set for Monday and the first games scheduled to begin in a little more than two weeks.
Players from around Hancock County have been honing their skills this summer, competing on their respective club teams and working towards opening night.
As the calendar flips from July into August, several questions are surfacing in anticipation for the 2021 season ahead.
Will a team from the county emerge this fall to reclaim the Hoosier Heritage Conference team title over defending champion Shelbyville (12-7, 6-1 HHC) or league runner-up Yorktown (14-3-1, 5-2 HHC)?
Can the Class 3A Greenfield-Central Cougars (5-8-1, 5-2 HHC) resume their sectional championship dominance after last year’s setback that ended the program’s title streak at four straight (2016-19)?
Will the 3A Mt. Vernon Marauders’ (8-9-1, 3-4 HHC) mix of youth and senior leadership result in a winning season and a potential first sectional championship since 2015?
Can the 3A New Palestine Dragons continue to make strides after finishing 2-13 overall and 1-6 in the HHC last season?
The only way to find out is on the pitch where rivals will collide, vie for postseason momentum and show out for bragging rights. For now, here are some preseason projected standouts to watch, in no particular order, who could make a run at season’s end honors and more.
Bryce Kinnaman, Greenfield-Central
Greenfield-Central incoming junior Bryce Kinnaman had a busy off-season this summer. As a member of Indy Phoenix FC 2005, Kinnaman, a center-mid/forward helped guide his U16 club team to a runner-up finish during the 2021 U.S. Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup tournament in Des Moines, Iowa this month. The five-day event served as a substantial motivator for the standout Cougar, who earned All-Hancock County honorable mention distinctions as a sophomore in 2020. Kinnaman was one of a handful of scoring threats for Greenfield-Central a year ago and will look to fill the void left over by the graduation of Jackson Findley, one of the team’s primary offensive threats. Paired with incoming senior John Halvorsen, the duo could create problems for opposing squads.
John Halvorsen, Greenfield-Central
Speaking of Greenfield-Central’s John Halvorsen, the incoming senior defender was a force to contend with on the pitch when at full strength. More of a facilitator his sophomore year with nine assists during the Class 3A Cougars’ run at a fourth consecutive sectional title in 2019, Halvorsen pushed opposing defenses regularly to finish his junior campaign with five goals, including a pair against rival Mt. Vernon during the regular season. Halvorsen was named All-State honorable mention by the Indiana Soccer Coaches Association and earned All-Hoosier Heritage Conference honors in 2020. He was one of five Cougars to make the 2020 All-Hancock County team behind Player of the Year honoree Abe Buescher, who also garnered All-State honorable mention recognition.
Garrett Canova, New Palestine
As a junior midfielder for the New Palestine Dragons in 2020, Garrett Canova made the most of his third varsity season. A team leader for his father’s squad, the son of head coach Brett Canova helped shape the cultural shift for the future and was rewarded for his work ethic and competitive play. The lone New Palestine Dragon to be selected to the All-Hoosier Heritage Conference team, Garrett was also named to the All-Hancock County team in 2020. A seasoned varsity veteran, Canova will be a key contributor to the Dragons’ plans this fall as they look to chase down a potential winning record after a tough 2-13 campaign.
Elliott Canova, New Palestine
As a freshman in 2020, Elliott Canova was young but feisty on the pitch for the New Palestine Dragons. The team’s second-leading scorer in 2020, Canova continues to get better with age, and he showed his on-going promise this summer while further sharpening his attacking ability with his club team. As a member of the Indy Phoenix FC 2005, Canova teamed with Greenfield-Central’s Bryce Kinnaman to finish second overall during the U.S. Youth Soccer National President Cup tournament in Des Moines, Iowa. The incoming sophomore was joined by his father and New Palestine boys soccer head coach, Brett Canova, who was an assistant coach for Indy Phoenix FC 2005.
Zach Johnson, Mt. Vernon
As a sophomore midfielder in 2020, Mt. Vernon’s Zach Johnson paced the Marauders’ offense with eight goals scored in 17 matches played and added three assists. The incoming junior posted two multi-goal games on the pitch last fall, firing a pair of goals against both Hoosier Heritage Conference foes New Castle and Delta during Mt. Vernon’s 4-0 and 4-1 wins, respectively. Johnson was an All-HHC boys soccer team snub last fall, but he was more than deserving. He did earn All-Hancock County honors, though, and could be a key offensive weapon once again in 2021 along with Mt. Vernon’s projected five other returning goal scorers from a year ago.
Tyler Webb, Mt. Vernon
During Tyler Webb’s junior campaign in 2020, the Mt. Vernon Marauders’ forward was the epitome of balanced. In 18 matches, Webb tallied six goals scored and he finished with six assists. His six goals unfolded over the course of four contests with a hat trick against Indianapolis Bishop Chatard during the regular season to give Mt. Vernon a 6-3 victory. Webb, an incoming senior, ranked third in goals scored for the Marauders last fall but wasn’t able to crack the All-Hoosier Heritage Conference team list. He earned All-Hancock County honorable mention along with fellow incoming senior Jordan Small, who could be another focal point in head coach Matt Mayhew’s scheme for his 2021 squad.
