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The Journal-World All-Area teams are carefully selected by the Journal-World’s sports staff.

• Player of the Year: Cooper Carr, Baldwin High

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Cooper Carr

Carr topped his breakout freshman season this fall with 18 goals and 14 assists, finishing just two points behind the school record (52) in his sophomore campaign. The Frontier League Player of the Year, Carr went on to receive First Team All-State and All-Metro accolades.

• Coach of the Year: Matt McCune, Baldwin High

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Baldwin High soccer coach Matt McCune with all-area player of the year Caleb Carr in 2022.

McCune led the Bulldogs to the best start (11-1) in school history this fall. The season included 10 shutouts and the program’s first Frontier League title. After McCune and Baldwin claimed the 4A regional title, the Bulldogs’ season (15-3) came to an end in the state quarterfinals when Bishop Ward snapped Baldwin’s 16-game home winning streak under McCune.

• Dylan Kuntz, Baldwin High

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Dylan Kuntz

A star member of Baldwin’s defense, Kuntz kept opponents scoreless in four consecutive games this season – allowing just two all season – and finished the year with five goals and five assists from the centerback spot. Kuntz was named First Team All-Frontier League defender.

• Derek Lehmann, Eudora High

Lehmann, a First Team All-Frontier League midfielder, led the Cardinals’ scoring column with 12 goals and seven assists in his senior campaign.

• Kaden Kerr, Eudora High

Kerr finished his Cardinal career with eight goals, eight assists and First Team All-Frontier League midfielder accolades

• Andrea Columbano, Tonganoxie High

Columbano finished his Chieftain career with five goals and First Team All-Frontier League midfielder honors.

• Colin Sandefur, Lawrence High

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Colin Sandefur

Sandefur, a four-year letterman, finished his Chesty Lion career with 13 goals. He was on pace to snap the school and league scoring records before suffering a hamstring injury. The First Team All-Sunflower League forward is a LHS Golden Boot recipient.

• Asher Sikes, Lawrence High

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Asher Sikes

Sikes, a three-year letterman, finished his LHS career with nine goals, seven assists and Second Team All-Sunflower League honors in his senior season. LHS named Sikes the team’s Offensive Player of the Year.

• Utah Hester, Free State

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Utah Hester

Hester, the Sunflower League Defender of the Year runner-up, finished a memorable Firebird career as a First Team All-Sunflower League defender and earned the team’s Top Defender Award. Hester scored two goals during his time at Free State, including a game-winner in 2022.

• JJ Zheng, Free State

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JJ Zheng

Zheng put together an impressive junior season as the Firebirds’ point leader, scoring six goals – including four game-winners – and earning five assists on his way to First Team All-Sunflower honors. Zheng was named the Sunflower League Midfielder of the Year runner-up.

• Jace Hoffman, Bishop Seabury Academy

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Jace Hoffman

Hoffman carried a big burden moving between forward and midfielder to help pick up the slack after Seabury lost nine starters from a year ago. The sophomore finished the season with eight goals and four assists.

Honorable Mention: Nate Steinlage, Eudora High; Lachlan McRae, Tonganoxie High; Gavin Shupe, Tonganoxie High; Ocean Comfort, Lawrence High; Ethan Smasal, Baldwin High; Yusef Iskandrani, Free State; Zachari Motsinger, Bishop Seabury Academy; Cole Shumaker, Bishop Seabury Academy.