2023-2024 All-Area Soccer Boys’ Team
Published 12:00 pm Saturday, April 6, 2024
Landan Beasley,
Wesson
A senior, Beasley was a rock on the defensive side of the pitch for Wesson coach Hank Jordan. The Cobras finished 9-8 and went on the road in the first round of the MHSAA Region I playoffs, where they beat Enterprise-Clarke 3-2 in overtime. It was the second postseason win in program history for the Cobras.
Grey Boyd,
Lawrence County
A junior, Boyd was a goal scoring threat for the Lawrence County Cougars and first year head coach Gage Daley. Boyd led the Cougars with 22 goals as LC finished 10-13 and lost a close road match 3-2 at Poplarville in the opening round of the MHSAA 4A playoffs. Boyd was also first on the team with seven assists this season.
Cooper Creel,
Loyd Star
A sophomore, Creel was again all around the ball for Loyd Star this season to earn All-Area honors for a third straight year. His 12 goals and 14 assists helped coach Jordan Lea and the Hornets finish 18-4-1. Loyd Star won Region 7-Class I and Creel was named the most valuable player of the region.
Yojan Hernandez,
Brookhaven Academy
A junior, Hernandez once again did a little bit of everything in helping Brookhaven Academy and coach Alex Brown finish with a 21-2 record. He scored 34 goals and was in on 12 assists for the Cougars to earn his fourth straight All-Area honor. Hernandez scored three or more goals on five different occasions, including a season best four goals in a win over Cathedral School.
Jaden Lea,
Loyd Star
A senior, Lea transferred to Loyd Star to play his final season for his brother and head coach, Jordan Lea. In his single season as the goalkeeper, Lea commanded the backline and only allowed 18 goals on 153 shots for a Loyd Star team that went 18-4-1. Lea posted eight shutouts and was named best goalkeeper in Region 7-Class I.
Ethan Lopez,
Brookhaven High
A junior, Lopez has been one of the most gifted goal scorers for the Panthers since joining the varsity squad for coach Aaron Ayers and is a repeat All-Area selection. This season, he scored 21 goals and was in on 18 assists from his position of striker for a BHS team that finished 16-7 and made the opening round of the MHSAA 5A playoffs.
Christian Cayax-Marin,
Wesson
A junior, Cayax-Marin was a big time playmaker in a variety of places and ways for coach Hank Jordan and the Cobras this season. Cayax-Marin was among the team leaders on offense as he scored 10 goals and was in on 16 assists. The 3-2 overtime victory for Cayax-Marin and the Cobras in the first round of the Class I playoffs was the second postseason win in program history.
Nathan Mills,
Loyd Star
A senior, Mills only played one season of soccer for the Hornets and did so while splitting time on the basketball court. Even with his time divided, the athletic Mills scored a team best 19 goals for a Loyd Star team that went 18-4-1 and won the region title for the first time in program history. Mills was also in on five assists for coach Jordan Lea.
Bryce Smith,
Brookhaven High
A senior, Smith rehabbed from a knee injury that cost him his junior season to return in net for the Brookhaven High Panthers. An All-Area selection as a sophomore, Smith stopped 90 percent of the shots he faced this season for a BHS squad that finished 16-7. Smith originally signed with Mississippi Gulf Coast CC to play soccer but will instead attend the US Naval Academy after his recent appointment there.
Cooper Strickland, Brookhaven Academy
A senior, Stickland had the best season of his career in helping captain Brookhaven Academy to a 21-2 record and the first state title game appearance in program history. A repeat All-Area selection, Strickland scored 34 goals and was second on the team with 18 assists as BA won its district for a third-straight year.
Michael Thomas Stewart, Brookhaven High
A senior, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Stewart was physical on the ball to be one of the leading goal scorers for the Brookhaven High offense. Stewart scored 22 goals and had a foot on 14 assists for coach Aaron Ayers and a BHS squad that went 16-7, a program high for wins.
Markham Williams, Brookhaven High
A junior, Williams is a repeat All-Area selection after another standout season at the center back position for the Brookhaven High defense. He and his defensive teammates were part of a unit that saw BHS finish with a clean sheet on 15 different occasions. Williams was recently selected to play in the Central Mississippi All-Star game that was held at Southwest Mississippi CC.