By Laurence Hilliard
Star Herald
Another season of Kosciusko soccer begins Tuesday for the Whippets and Lady Whippets with games at North Pontotoc.
Both teams finished second in Region 3-4A last year and reached the second round of the 4A playoffs. They will compete in 4-4A this year with Choctaw Central, Leake Central and Louisville.
“I think we have a good chance to compete and actually win over district,” said girls coach Mitchell Myer. He plans to use an alignment with three on attack, three midfielders and four defenders.
Going into the season, Avery Rodriuez, Leeanna Biggert and Kelonna Brooks will be up front, Mia Manjarrez, Isabela Garia and Jarette Arvizu at midield, Cassidy Edwards and Klara Tran outside defenders, Amera Marquez and Layla Nicholson insider defenders.
Freshman Isabella Tilley will start in goal, replacing Manjarrez, the starter a year ago who has moved to midfield. “Mia has shown her skills on the field,” Myer said.
He said Choctaw Central is the strongest region opponent. Choctaw Central defeated Kosciusko 7-0 during the regular season and reached the North State final last season.
Boys coach Greg Cooper will employ a 3-5-2 or 4-5-1, the latter with four defenders against strong opponents “when we need to be a little stronger in the defensive structure.”
Preseason practices have gone well with only two players, Nick Sudduth and Braden Ray, missing while playing football.
“Still trying to figure out exactly where everybody fits,” Cooper said.
The tentative lineup has Isaac Manjarrez and Gio Sabino at attack, Colton Thorpe, Grayson Hughes, Avery Nicholson, Spencer Sparks, Ezra Keeton and Eli Cooper in the midfield, Armando Marquez, Eric Lopez and Matthew Nail on defense.
Levi Berry, a 6-4 eighth grader, moves into goal. “He has a great work ethic,” Cooper said. “He can cover the goal. We told him that we’re not asking him to save the world, just grow and learn.”
Cooper singled out Leake Central as the strongest opponent. The Gators reached the third round of the playoffs a year ago.
Kosciusko 2025-26 Soccer Rosters
Girls
1 Shelby Henderson
2 Kelonna Brooks
4 Jarette Arvizu
5 Bella Garcia
6 Brianna Biggart
7 Isabella Tilley
8 Dottie Dew
9 Leannna Biggart
10 Gabby Garcia
12 Avery Rodriguez
13 Ivy Williams
14 Ella Williams
15 Allie Grayce Gibson
16 Cassidy Edwards
17 Mia Marjarrez
18 Amera Marquez
20 Bernice Fleming
21 Sharlize Marquez
22 Sara Stewart
23 Klara Tran
24 Davanee Edwards
25 Emery Barber
28 Laya Nicholson
30 Hailyn Kyzie
Boys
1 Matthew Nail
2 Noah Carter
3 Eric Lopez
4 Gabriel Hatcher
5 Luke Sparks
6 Armando Marquez
7 Spencer Spark
8 Giovanny Sabino
9 Grayson Hughes
10 Bentley Nickless
11 Colton Thorpe
12 Jorge Perez
13 Kadasieon Lee
15 Ezra Keeton
16 Lawson McDaniel
17 Isaac Manjarrez
18 Braden Ray
19 Nick Sudduth
20 Landon Henderson
21 Kyle Smith
22 Toby Sudduth
23 Hugo Gonzalez
24 Eddie Tran
25 Eli Cooper
27 Levi Berry
28 Lucas Vergara
29 Ethan Wilson
33 Avery Nicholson
