Page 4 - 2020 AIA Fall Soccer Program

Blue Ridge pRepaRing to defend Boys title new coach, But same expectations
After its streak of nine straight championship game appearances ended in 2018, Blue Ridge rebounded with a state title in 2019. (Chris Stanley photo/MaxPreps)
by Jose Garcia AZPreps365
Kirby Elkins took over as coach this year, but the high expec- tations remained in place for Blue Ridge.
But last year’s offensive player of the year, Michael Little- man, sophomore Luis Perez and senior wingers Canyon Brose- mann and Daniel Pansulla helped move the ball around quite a bit more this season. On defense, Blue Ridge is very fast and is led by a couple of “tough-nosed players.”
Like Chino Valley’s Carey, Elkins also coaches a program he graduated from and helped win titles.
The back line is comprised of outside back Devin Fish, soph- omore Brennan Jones, the “backbone” of the defense, Alberto Diaz Ramirez and Kohl Beazley.
“I love the Blue Ridge program as a player and love it even more as a coach,” Elkins said.
Cesar Bonilla, the team’s backup goalkeeper, stepped in at the start of the season after Blue Ridge starter Andy Plath suf- fered an injury. Blue Ridge this season also welcomed a transfer from Japan, Jackie Belnap, as a defensive midfielder.
This season, Elkins made some formation and tactical chang- es, but the winning (13-2 record) continued.
In 2019, billed as Blue Ridge’s “Revenge Tour,” ended with a championship win. The 2018 season marked the first time in nine years that the Yellowjackets didn’t reach a final.
Covid forced Belnap’s team in Japan to cancel its soccer season while his dad was stationed overseas. So Belnap moved to Lakeside to stay with family members in order to play.
This season, the target was on the defending champ’s back, and it showed during regular season losses to Chino Valley and rival Show Low.
When he arrived at Lakeside it was midnight, about 5 1/2 hours before the start of a preseason Blue Ridge tryout that Belnap attended.
“We were complacent,” Elkins said. “It was a blessing to lose and get some fire. Both of those losses happened at home, and we got embarrassed. But it fueled us.”
“Jackie’s been an incredible player and teammate,” Elkins said. “He never wanted any special treatment. He just wants to win.”
Blue Ridge also dealt with its share of injuries this season, including to midfielder Gustavo Cuiriz.
NOTES: No. 3 seed Show Low (8-3): The Cougars split their regular season meetings vs. No. 2 seed Blue Ridge this season. Show Low defeated Blue Ridge 3-0 on Oct. 21 to start its current four match win streak. During that stretch, the team outscored its opponent 20-1. This season, Show Low rebounded from a 6-8-1 2019 campaign. Andrew Brumfield is the third head coach the program has had in the past three years. ... No. 4 Snowflake (8-4): The team’s leaders are Sr. Jayce Ford, Jr. Sam Lopez and Sr. Tyler White. “Jayce is the heart of the team, keeping the peace and bridging com- munication between coaches and team members,” coach Joshua Johnson said. “Sam keeps the team motivated, leading the team by his actions. Ty- ler’s strengths are communication, keeping up spirits and making sure the team is always prepared.” Snowflake hasn’t reached the second round in the past four years but has three state semifinal appearances to its resume. “Snowflake soccer is a family,” Johnson said. “They work hard every day at practice. When practice is over players stay behind to work with each other on their weaknesses. They can be found at the park on Saturdays on their own playing against each other. They spend two nights a week together either doing film nights or team dinners.” ... No. 5 Camp Verde (7-3-1): The Cowboys won four of their final five regular season matches, including a 3-0 win over No. 4 seed Snowflake. Their only loss during that stretch came to No. 2 seed Blue Ridge by a 2-0 score. This is the fifth straight season that the program will finish with a winning record with David Miller at the helm. The program won the North Region and didn’t concede a goal to its three region opponents. ... No. 6 Sedona Red Rock (8-3-1): The team dressed six freshmen and only two seniors this season. One of those freshman, Luis Beltran, leads the team with 16 goals. Another freshman, Joan Diaz Rodriguez (team is 7-3-1 when he starts), is the team’s starting goalkeeper. Red Rock finished third in Central Region but scored more goals (71) than any of its region mates, including No. 1 Chino Valley. ... No. 7 Payson (10-4): The program won 10 matches for the first time since 2014. It also recorded one of the best turnarounds by a fall winter soccer team after posting only four victories last year. It finished second the Central Region, which No. 1 seed Chino Valley won. ... No. 8 Bisbee (8-1): The Pumas have outscored opponents 52-8 this season. Its only loss came to Willcox, which won 3-2. But Bisbee avenged that loss two days later with a 3-0 victory at Willcox.