photo by: Contributed photos

2021 Journal-World All-Area Boys Soccer coach and player of the year, Tonganoxie High's Jon Orndorff, left, and Bishop Seabury junior Beck Oldridge.

After each high school sports season, the Journal-World takes nominations from coaches in the coverage area and selects a group of the top players in several sports. Here is a look at the 2021 All-Area boys soccer team.

Coach of the Year – Jon Orndorff, Tonganoxie

Finding a way to build strength and confidence throughout the season, Orndorff led the Chieftains on a wild ride all the way to the Class 6A state semifinals, where they finished 1-1 to bring home a third-place trophy. The Chieftains undoubtedly played their best soccer at the end of the season, entering the postseason with a record of 9-6-1 and finishing at 13-7-1. The seventh-seeded THS squad knocked off Chanute, 4-1, in Round 1 and then upset second-seeded Baldwin in Round 2, 1-0. The run continued with a 2-0 win over Eudora in the next round and a 3-2, double-overtime win over top-seeded Augusta in the third-place match.

Player of the Year – Beck Oldridge, Bishop Seabury Academy

After a strong sophomore season in 2020, the junior striker took his game to an even higher level in 2021, despite playing with nine new starting teammates. Oldridge scored 26 goals in 15 matches, which smashed the school’s all-time scoring record for boys and girls. He also added four assists and found a way to deliver despite being the constant target of opposing defenses. He scored from every angle and in seemingly every situation, with both feet, with his head and while being double covered. A team captain, a model student and a quality leader on and off the field, Oldridge is drawing interest from several college programs.

• Lukas Parizek, Tonganoxie

Parizek was selected first-team all-league this year and his team’s top scorer. Known by his teammates and opponents as one of the most clutch players in the area, Parizek created just as many opportunities for others as he did for himself by simply being a presence in the attacking area of the field. The THS senior finished with 23 goals and five assists.

• Brenan Kuzmic, Tonganoxie

Described by Orndorff as “the heartbeat of our team in the midfield,” the junior midfielder recorded six goals and 14 assists this season for THS. A second-team all-league selection, Kuzmic hardly ever came out of the game and used his passion and composure to keep the Chieftains on track in good times and bad. Kuzmic also served as a team captain this season.

• Jackson McWilliams, Tonganoxie

The sophomore goalkeeper who Orndorff said made the spectacular save look routine, McWilliams finished with 271 saves and a 1.48 goals-against average. He also added seven shutouts and one penalty-kick save. At his best when the stakes were highest, the young THS goalie made some massive saves in the semifinal and third-place game to keep the Chieftains alive.

• Enzo Karam, Bishop Seabury

Karam set a school record with 24 assists this season, adding five goals to his point total, as well. Described by his coach as “the connective tissue” between Seabury’s defense and of-fense, the junior midfielder’s leadership, ball skills, precision passing and high IQ helped keep the young Seahawks comfortable in nearly any situation.

• Colin Sandefur, Lawrence High

The LHS sophomore led the Lions in goals (12) and was the recipient of the Mr. Offense and Coach Platt Teammate Awards, selected by his peers. He earned first-team all-Sunflower League honors and used his physicality and team-first mentality — he also had five assists — to give the Lions a chance in every game they played.

• Joon Chun, Free State

A first-team all-state and all-Sunflower League selection, Chun also earned the program’s “Most Valuable Midfielder” distinction. The senior finished the season with 11 goals and six assists and had what FSHS coach Joe Waldron described as great creativity, physicality and vision. Chun also served as a captain for the Firebirds, who made it to the second round of the Class 6A state playoffs.

• Andrew Henderson, Free State

A second-team all-state and all-Sunflower League selection, Henderson is best known for his consistency and relentless work ethic. Described by his coach as the heart and soul of the program, Henderson utilized elite size, speed, strength and tactical understanding to tally six goals and 10 assists for the Firebirds this season.

• Devin Prather, Baldwin

Voted as the top defender in the Frontier League, Prather served as the anchor for the BHS defense and a team captain this season. He earned first-team all-Frontier League honors this season and was also a 4A all-state selection. In addition to his dominance on defense, especially in 1-on-1 situations, Prather added eight goals and eight assists to the BHS offense.

• Daniel Stone, Eudora

Back with the Cardinals after two years at another school, Stone finished his senior season with nine goals and 10 assists. The center midfielder and co-captain excelled in the air on 50/50 balls and was terrific at knowing when to take the shot or set up a teammate near the net.

• Parker Hurla, Eudora

The junior midfielder put up eye-popping numbers this season. Hurla led the team with 21 goals and 12 assists, both single-season school records. At his best in front of the net, Hurla had a knack for knowing when to try to finish and when to operate as a decoy to create chances for his teammates. Hurla earned first-team all-league honors.

Honorable mention: Truman Hill, Bishop Seabury; Levi Hinson, Lawrence; Aaron Neff, Free State; Cale Scott, Lawrence; Camden Ridinger, Eudora; Nate Steinlage, Eudora; Daniel Zesati, Tonganoxie, Caleb Carr, Baldwin; Utah Hester, Baldwin.