PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Erik Vollmerhausen
South Carroll
Statistics can't possibly tell the story of this imposing midfielder, whose intimidating presence was among the biggest keys to South Carroll's county championship season. Though he finished the season with two goals and four assists, the 6-foot-1 senior took control of games by drawing in defenders, then pushing the ball outside to set up scoring chances. He also showed he could routinely hit the far post with his flip throw-ins, as well as win headers with his exceptional vertical leap. He hasn't decided on a college.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Ed DeVincent
Liberty
After a hard-luck regular season, which included a sub-.500 record and four straight overtime losses, DeVincent's Lions proved their mettle in the playoffs, reeling off four straight wins to capture the Class 3A West region title. In succession, Liberty beat county rival South Carroll, top-seeded Seneca Valley and second-seeded Urbana. The Lions (9-8) have won at least nine games in each of DeVincent's seven years at the helm, helping him compile a 73-30-5 record. They've also appeared in three regional finals.
FIRST TEAM
Brock Davis
Carroll Christian
The four-year starter led the county with 14 goals and 14 assists, helping the Patriots finish 13-4. Davis, who broke the school record for career assists, had a string of three straight multiple-goal games.
Kyle Dietz
Century
The junior established himself as one of the county's most lethal scoring threats with 10 goals and two assists for the first-year Knights. Dietz had a pair of hat tricks, one against Francis Scott Key in the Class 2A, West playoffs.
Jonnie Jenkins
South Carroll
After missing the second half of last season with a broken leg, Jenkins had a senior season to remember with five goals and four assists. The go-to player for the county champions, he scored key goals against rivals Liberty and Century.
Brandon Nee
South Carroll
An all-around leader for the county-champion Cavaliers, Nee finished his senior season with six goals and an assist. Coach Wes Haroldson called him the "heart and soul" of his midfield, and a major reason South Carroll didn't lose a game against Carroll competition.
Justin Starnes
Westminster
Starnes, a senior, proved himself to be a tremendous ball-winner in the middle of the field, keeping possession in the face of heavy pressure. He also scored two goals, both against Wilde Lake, to go with three assists.
Brad Thompson
Francis Scott Key
An Olympic Development Program player, Thompson made things happen for the Eagles' offense, finishing with four goals and three assists. He scored the lone goal against regional champion Liberty, part of a string of three straight games with a goal. Coach Steve Smith calls him the "best player I've been associated with."
Kevin Chapman
Century
The sophomore sweeper was an impact player in the Knights' first year of varsity play. Chapman had a knack for reading plays and always seemed at the right place at the right time. He also played forward occasionally and scored on a penalty kick.
Tyler Harden
North Carroll
The three-year starter was a natural leader, moving without the ball and using his field vision to find the proper defensive position. A senior, Harden also created numerous transition opportunities, and even managed three goals.
Chris McDonald
Westminster
Always marking the opposition's top scoring threat, McDonald didn't allow a goal this season against a county striker and just one goal in conference play. The senior's ability to lock down offensive players was uncanny, helping Westminster to earn a tie for third place in the county.
B.J. Schwab
Liberty
The stopper shifted his game into overdrive at the end of the regular season and the playoffs, shutting down All-State midfielders from Urbana and Northwest. Schwab, a senior, was one of the county's best in the air, always playing up on throw-ins and corner kicks.
Tyler Smith
South Carroll
South Carroll's senior sweeper dominated the middle, denying countless scoring chances and helping his team to an unbeaten county record. Thanks to Smith's presence, the Cavaliers allowed few goals down the center of the field, and recorded four shutouts.
Andy Soukup
Liberty
Proving himself as one of the area's premier defenders, the senior allowed just one goal to an opponent he was assigned to cover. After switching from sweeper to marking back, he was a key contributor to his team's six shutouts, and also had a knack for distributing the ball up top.
Century
Just a sophomore, Jones established himself in his team's first year of varsity existence. In 14 games, he allowed 21 goals and stopped 123 shots for an .854 save percentage. He should be a force for years to come.
Ryan Webb
South Carroll
The senior recorded a county-best .871 save percentage, giving up 19 goals in 14 games, with four shutouts. He was even more impressive in county play, allowing only six goals in six games, as the Cavaliers went 5-0-1 and claimed the county championship.