While they are still on the young side, Durant soccer coaches hope much more experienced units will lead to more victories in the 2026 season which begins this week.
Under the direction of new head coach Ryan Cook, the Lady Lions will rely on seven starters to lead the charge in improving their 7-6 finish a year ago and once again claim a playoff spot in the rugged district chase.
The boys of John Wilmoth look for much better fortunes after notching just two wins last season but will have a considerably more seasoned group this time around.
Girls
With seven starters returning the Lady Lions will have a solid nucleus in which to build around led by senior leaders Mia Ibarra and Jaci Floyd.
Other veterans in the lineup are J.J. Patten, Kamryn White, Avery Blackburn, Kira Hoffman and Kirsten Collins. Riley Standifer is expected to fill a starting role after seeing significant time off the bench a year ago. The new Durant skipper is expecting big things from Marigold Moore, Maddie Turner, Shyloh Bailey and even talented freshman Tiera Carnes as well.
“We seem to have really good chemistry with a lot of connection,” Cook commented. “They are all bought into the program, and we have looked solid across the board in the preseason. We have some younger defenders, but four really strong center midfielders that should be our strength this year.”
That middle group includes Ibarra, Bailey, Hoffman and Turner. Katelyn Mauck, who is on the mend and should return to the lineup soon, will play some there too. All have great assist ability.
Up front Patten and Blackburn each scored several goals last season and White chipped in numerous assists. Moore should be a key to the offensive attack as well. Floyd will be a catalyst with her experience at right center back while being the focal point of the defensive line.
The Lady Lions will be forced to break in a new goalkeeper as sophomores Maggie Martens and Kadie Metcalf will be competing for time early in the season.
“We want to get back in the playoffs and even improve,” Cook said. “I think we can do really well in district play. We are going to definitely help prepare ourselves for district play with a challenging non-district schedule.
Boys
After breaking in a host of new faces and taking their lumps a year ago, the Lions will look to dish out a few of their own this year with a bevy of talent in their expansive 53-man total roster.
The key to their chances likely hinges on returning senior goalkeeper Leland Hardwick, who will once again be the heartbeat of the squad and a very vocal catalyst.
“We’ll go as he goes,” Wilmoth stated. “He has the ability to carry us a long way and the guys look to his leadership.”
Around Hardwick, the DHS head coach expects to be solid defensively, spurred by the move of Tyler Rhodes from forward to the defensive back line to fortify a unit that also includes Alonso Maza, Kevin Vazquez and Jesiah Maynard.
That crew has size and speed as well as the ability to switch the field very quickly.
Returnees Joseph Flores and Aiden Polk will be two big parts of the attack once they get into soccer shape after coming in from basketball and wrestling respectively. They are key components and have the versatility to play multiple positions in the center-midfield area.
Wilmoth calls junior Konnor Shenas the straw that stirs the drink in the midfield with his ability to keep the ball constantly moving with a motor that never stops. Senior John Hitchcock is another fourthyear standout on the right side that the Lion coach believes is the most improved player since last season.
Senior Otto Baskin is the veteran of what is expected to be a youthful crew of forwards that will be only a learning curve but has the talent to make an impact.
“We’re a year older and hopefully a year better,” Wilmoth added. “We have a lot more returning that had quality minutes last season. Hopefully that will help lead to more wins, but we are in a very tough district again. It’s going to be a battle every time we step on the field. We have to use the non-district games to find out what our identity is going to be and build upon that. Hopefully that will get us back into the playoffs.”