Jackson Foster from Cedar Grove (Belgium) talks about his small stature
Jackson Foster of Cedar Grove-Belgium says he is underestimated by opposing football coaches because of his size.
A new boys soccer season begins across Wisconsin on August 27, and there are several notable players to keep an eye on.
Here, in alphabetical order, are the 26 best soccer players to watch for the 2024 season.
Grishem Blaedow, Sr., Franklin
Blaedow was on his way to a state season, scoring 17 goals in 12 games before breaking his leg.
Jack Bretzmann, Sr., New Berlin Eisenhower
Bretzmann scored 31 goals last season and was selected to the state’s second team as a forward by the Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association. “He is a strong and tenacious forward with a great sense of grandeur that creates many scoring opportunities for him and his teammates,” Eisenhower coach Shon Hernandez said. “He is also a natural leader and will be a captain this year.”
Alban Carka, Jr., Whitnall
Carka received honorable mention as an All-State forward last season.
Teddy Danaher, Sr., West Bend West
Danaher was selected as the state’s honorable mention midfielder in 2023 after scoring 13 goals and assisting on 21 more.
Gio Diaz, sr., Lake Geneva Badger
The forward received honorable mention in the All-State league during his junior season.
Cade Dirkse, Jr., Oostburg
Dividing his time between defense and midfield in 2023, Dirkse was selected to the Big East/EWC first team as a sophomore and received honorable mention as a defender at the state level from the Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association.
Emre Evran, Jr., Brookfield East
Evran earned honorable mention All-State honors as a sophomore, scoring 18 goals. “He’s been a key part of our offense the last two years,” Brookfield East coach Brody Kraussel said. “He’s got a big, strong build and a quick shot. He can hold the ball and run after it. I expect a great year from him.”
Wilson Foueppe, Jr., Madison East
Foueppe received honorable mention as an All-State forward in 2023.
Griffin French, Sr., Cedarburg
The midfielder was selected to the state’s second team as a junior. “Griffin is a talented and experienced player who can control a game in both the midfield and attack,” Cedarburg coach Pat Sorensen said. “He has the composure and physical presence needed to make the players around him better. Griffin has developed his leadership skills over the past few years and is now a first-class player and person.”
Niall Hagen, Jr., Union Grove
Hagen was selected as an honorable mention all-state defender last season, although he also excelled on offense, scoring 18 goals and providing a program-record 15 assists to help lead Union Grove to its first state championship. “He’s a box-to-box midfielder who can beat players on the dribble, in the air and without the ball,” Union Grove coach Sean Jung said. “He’s very technical, an exceptional athlete with power and speed to match. Combine that with a very high soccer IQ, and he’s on par with the best players to ever play at Union Grove High School.” That statement is very telling when you consider that graduate Logan Farrington (’20) was drafted third overall in the MLS Super Draft last spring and currently plays for FC Dallas. He’s our best player by far. He is also an incredible leader and an incredible kid, has a GPA above 4.0, is a member of the NHS and will be a team captain this season.”
Other football players to keep an eye on: Here are the 29 best high school football players in Manitowoc and Sheboygan
Owen Hahm, Jr., Shoreland Lutheran
The forward was selected to the All-State second team as a sophomore, scoring 26 goals and 28 assists for 80 points. He was the state’s second-leading player in assists. “Owen continues to rely on his strength and speed and is now more physically strong as a forward,” Shoreland coach Dan Hahm said. “Even though he is a goal scorer, he brings vision to see improvements in our attack. Where other forwards shoot, he makes an extra pass to find a better solution to a goal, which is indicative of his 20-plus goals and 20-plus assists last year.”
Kyle Hoffman, Sr., Lodi
The goalie is coming off an honorable mention All-State season. “Kyle is definitely one to keep an eye on,” Lodi coach Derek Callahan said. “He played his first year of club soccer for the 56ers White team this year. Kyle does more than just help with soccer in Lodi, especially with the goalies. Last spring, as a junior in high school, he was an assistant coach for the U14 boys team. He also runs weekly goalie camps for the youth goalies ages 7-13.”
Josh Kiltz, Sr., Sun Prairie West
Kiltz was a midfielder on Sun Prairie West’s second team in 2023. “He’s such a hard worker that we coaches often have to tell him to stop playing football so his body can heal,” Sun Prairie West coach Mike McIntosh said.
Josh Lee, Sr., Middleton
Lee earned honorable mention All-State honors as a defensive lineman his junior season. “Josh’s value isn’t measured in stats, but in what he does for us in the back third of the field,” Middleton coach Kevin Pauls said. “Josh can read plays so well and figure out where the ball is going before it’s there. He covers and supports his team like no other. And as he proved in the state tournament last year, he’s never afraid to compete with the best in the state.”
Short in stature, not talented: This below-average defensive tackle says his lack of prototypical size cost him All-State honors
Angel Luevano, Sr., St. Thomas More
The midfielder received an honorable mention at the state level in 2023.
Tony Murphy, Sr., Middleton
Murphy was selected as an honorable mention all-state forward last season after scoring 16 goals, the most on his team. “Tony is a sneaky forward with a lot of tricks to get past his defenders,” Pauls said. “Tony’s skills put him in positions where he can put the ball in the net or create a scoring opportunity for someone else, which he proved last season with nine assists, which was second best on his team. Tony is motivated to do more for his team in every game, including going one-on-five in the state final that gave us the lead in the championship game.”
Owen Orville, Sr., Madison Edgewood
The midfielder earned honorable mention All-State honors as a junior and led Edgewood in goals (12), assists (12) and points (36). Edgewood coach Chris Martinelli said he is an explosive and skilled player.
Dillon Pliszka, Sr., Madison Edgewood
Pliszka, whom Martinelli describes as a dynamic player, was selected as an honorable mention All-State midfielder in 2023. Last season, he finished second behind Orville in goals (eight), assists (eight) and total points (24).
Jesus Ramirez Pabon, Sr., Milwaukee Pius XI
Ramirez Pabon was selected to the state second team as a midfielder. “He has worked hard to make this his best year,” Pius XI coach Adan Quintana said. “He absolutely deserves all the good things that come his way. (Jesus) is a key building block in helping Pius go as far as he can and I’m excited to coach him this year.”
Sebastian Raskevicius-Marchena, Jr., Wisconsin Dells
Raskevicius-Marchena finished his sophomore season as a midfielder with honorable mention All-State selection.
Xavier Roll, Jr., Somerset
The forward was an honorable mention All-State selection in 2023. “We look forward to seeing him back this year as a forward and attacking midfielder,” said Somerset coach Karsten Grover. “Xavier has worked hard in the offseason and played for the St. Croix Soccer Club team. Xavier was voted team captain this year and we look forward to him becoming a leader on our team.”
Emerson Rush, Sr., Muskego
As a junior, Rush received honorable mention as an All-State midfielder.
Ryan Sabey, Sr., Wisconsin Dells
The midfielder received an honorable mention at the state level last season.
Alexander Valle, Sr., St. Augustine Prep
Valle received an honorable mention All-State midfielder selection in 2023. “Alex continues to dominate our central midfield,” St. Augustine Prep coach Jose Hernandez said. “He continues to have great ball skills and control. There’s no doubt he has the potential to play at any level.”
Allen Wild, Sr., Homestead
Wild was selected as an honorable mention all-state midfielder for Homestead last season. “He has had a meteoric rise as a Highlander and became a key part of the team in the last sectional final,” said Homestead coach Tony Navarre. “His technical ability and athleticism in the midfield will be a pivotal point for the Highlanders this season.”
Connor Wyatt, Sr., Milwaukee Marquette
Wyatt was selected to the state’s second team as Marquette’s goalkeeper in 2023. “Connor reads the game well, is good with the ball at his feet and also reacts well as a goalie,” said Marquette coach Steve Lawrence.
Contact Tom Dombeck at 920-686-2965 or [email protected]Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Tom_Dombeck.
