Cassville boys soccer returns loads of experience

By Kyle Troutman [email protected]

The Cassville boys soccer team returns an experienced group this fall with aspirations of building on the 2025 campaign by converting more scoring chances and making a run to the district championship.

Curtis Ray, Cassville boys soccer coach, said the Wildcats created opportunities throughout last season, finishing at 9-13, but want to be more dangerous in the final third.

“We are looking to pick up what we left off last year,” Ray said. “Last year we did a great job attacking, getting into the box and getting a lot of shots. However, we were not able to finish a lot of those. We actually outshot a major portion of the teams we faced, even ones we lost to, on frame, but just could not finish them. So the huge goal is obviously, put them in the back of the net and putting a number on the board. That’s been a big point of emphasis during the July camp. Another goal is to find ourselves into the district championship game.”

Cassville returns a veteran nucleus led by senior attacker David Rehbach.

“David brings vision and just a great IQ,” Ray said. “He’s got the ability to split balls. He’s got the ability to score. He’s quick. He’s got that quick twitch, and he brings a lot of attacking mentality to the team.”

Diego Ibarra also returns after providing creativity on both ends of the field.

“Diego brings some great creativity,” Ray said. “Every time he gets the ball on his foot, you kind of watch and wait to see what kind of creative movement he’s going to put into it on the attack. He’s very intense and brings an intense level of defending.”

Preston Driskill gives the Wildcats another experienced option with versatility.

“Preston brings some size to the table,” Ray said. “His touch has gotten a lot better and he’s got the ability to score from anywhere 20-25 yards. He also has great conditioning, so defensively he can help back and provide help on the wing or forward position.”

After battling injuries last season, Noah Driskill is expected to provide an energetic presence.

“Noah brings just an all-out intensity that only he can bring,” Ray said. “He can put a lot of pressure on backs very quickly and can quickly convert those into goals for us.”

Ray called Hugh Thao the team’s anchor.

“He is that set-it-and-leave-it piece,” Ray said. “You can put him anywhere you want on the field, and you don’t have to worry about him anymore. You know he’s going to play his position and play it well. He’s going to win in his position. He can attack, he can defend, he can shoot, he brings an IQ to the table. He’s the anchor for the team. He doesn’t have a lot of talking behind himself, but everything he does on the field physically does enough talking for him.”

Daniel Frazier brings experience and soccer intelligence to the midfield.

“He’s got a big leg, he’s played a lot of years, and he’s got a high IQ and just knows the game,” Ray said. “We rely on him for some soccer intelligence because he knows the game well.”

Defensively, Ray believes Zeb Blankenship is among the area’s best.

“I think personally he’s the best defender we will see all season, and he’s on our team,” Ray said. “He is absolutely quicker than lightning. He reads the ball off somebody’s foot, the spin, the trajectory. He is able to put so much support in front of a keeper. He probably saves by himself from blocking 10 to 15 shots a game. He’s just that good.”

Other returning contributors include Mason Rillstone, Colton Beebe, Dade Zajac, Ian Quick, Aiden Mendoza, Spencer Essary and Crosby Harmon.

Ray said Mendoza has taken a significant step forward.

“Aidan is returning as a senior this year, and he’s playing like one,” Ray said. “He’s got good vision, a great first touch and can take a shot from deep if need be. He sees the field well enough to make that diagonal pass for an assist. He has really developed over the offseason, and we look forward to good things from him this year.”

The Wildcats also welcome a number of newcomers, particularly at goalkeeper after graduating Logan Wingo.

“Carson Cash has stepped in, and he’s got height, athleticism, great hands and is learning the game real quickly from a keeper position,” Ray said. “I think Carson is going to make an impact on the keeper position.”

Wyatt Hollingsworth is also competing for time in goal.

“Wyatt brings some crazy athleticism,” Ray said. “He’s brave enough to come out and go win a ball, sacrificing his body for the benefit of the team. He’s got good hands, has added some length to his goal kicks, and it’s going to be fun to watch those two compete.”

Ray also praised injured goalkeeper Kingston Nichols for mentoring the team’s young keepers while recovering from a torn ACL.

“He’s already making an impact even in the offseason, even though he’s not able to play just yet,” Ray said. “He’s encouraging those guys, teaching those guys and just kind of being an assistant right now to those guys.”

Among the freshmen, Carson Driskill, Jaxon Anderson, William Ray and Brayden Jack have already impressed during summer competition.

“Carson Driskill has already made an impact in summer,” Ray said. “He’s got great size, a great touch, he’s physical and he embodies our mentality of respecting everyone but fearing nobody.”

Ray said leadership will be one of the team’s biggest strengths.

“When the players lead, now you have a championship-caliber team,” Ray said. “I feel like my seniors are starting to step up and find their way. My expectations are that they don’t just say things, but do them and back them up. They should be the leaders on the field and be able to make adjustments because they all have a high IQ.”

Technically, Ray believes the Wildcats are well positioned entering the season.

“I think technical skills are where we’re very proficient,” Ray said. “These kids all love futsal, and in tight spaces and being technical, that’s where they excel. I also believe we have endurance, and I think that’s an area we’ll be able to use to our advantage the longer the game goes.”

The primary area of improvement remains creating and finishing quality scoring chances.

“I want to have a better attack in the sense of people finding their positions on the attack,” Ray said. “I want to increase the numbers on attack and fill those positions so that we have multiple options in the final third, not just simply pull up from 25 or go one-versus-two against the back line.”

Ray expects another challenging schedule after adding the Webb City Tournament.

“We added the Webb City Tournament this year because the kids wanted to play harder teams,” Ray said. “We’d rather face a couple of tough losses early in the season, find out about ourselves, grow from those areas and end up winning when we get to district time.”

If fans attend one match this season, Ray pointed to the rivalry with Monett.

“Anytime Monett’s in town, they’re the rivalry up the road,” Ray said. “That’s a conference game. It could possibly be for the championship if we play the way we’re supposed to.”

Ultimately, Ray believes his team’s passion for the sport separates it from others.

“I think as a whole, their love for the game of soccer sets them apart,” Ray said. “They’re willing to listen and be coached because they earnestly want to get better. They love competing, and I think that’s going to be a big strength for us as well.”

Cassville’s season begins in the Webb City Shootout Aug. 27-29. The home opener is against Bolivar on Sept. 3.