Area Boys Soccer

Player: Noel Pimentel

It's rare that a defender is nominated for player of the year, but that's what makes Pimentel so special. Southeast Whitfield's junior stopper was dominant in the Raiders' run to the Georgia Class AAA semifinals. He had 75 defensive stops and scored six goals. "He does his job on the field," Southeast coach Jamison Griffin said. "He's like a vacuum in the back and he's able to judge and time his jumps, always able to win the ball. He embodies what we're all about: He's willing to work and sacrifice, and he still doesn't think he's that good."

Coach: Jamison Griffin

Griffin wasn't ready to compare his ninth Southeast Whitfield boys' team to the state-finalist Raiders of 2008, although that wouldn't be a bad comparison. The 2010 team finished 17-5, losing 1-0 in overtime to Gainesville in the Georgia Class AAA semifinals. "It's tough to compare the two," Griffin said. "There were a lot of guys that were on both teams. This year's team was never so intense that they didn't enjoy the game, and I didn't worry about them getting too loose or too tight. "I told the guys to not let a great shot take away from a great season."

Garrett Koon

Cleveland

Senior

Forward

The Tennessee Wesleyan signee had 11 goals and six assists for the Blue Raiders.

Wes Llosa

Cleveland

Senior

Forward

Leading the Raiders with 19 goals, he was the District 5-AAA offensive player of the year.

Cesar Maldonado

Southeast Whitfield

Senior

Goalkeeper

He allowed 13 goals in 22 games for the Raiders, who reached the state semifinals.

Angel Arellano

Dalton

Senior

Midfielder

He had nine goals and eight assists for the Catamounts.

Mickey Guerrero

Southeast Whitfield

Junior

Sweeper

He had 13 goals while adding 50 defensive stops for the state-final-four team.

J.T. Foreman

McMinn County

Junior

Defender

He was voted the District 5-AAA defensive player of the year.

Kevin Cardona

McMinn County

Junior

Midfielder

He totaled nine goals and six assists and was named to the All-District 5-AAA team.

Tyler Goza

Cleveland

Senior

Defender

The All-District 5-AAA player anchored the defense as the Raiders reached the sectionals.

Ricky Rodriguez

Dalton

Senior

Forward

His 13 goals gave him 55 for his career, second all-time at Dalton, and he added six assists.

Mario Perez

Northwest Whitfield

Sophomore

Midfielder

He had four goals with 10 assists for the Bruins.

Alex Rosillo

Southeast Whitfield

Freshman

Forward

He had a teamleading 15 goals for the Class AAA state semifinalists.

SECOND TEAM

Rigo Garcia: Southeast Whitfield, senior, midfielder

Laurenao Gonzales: Sweetwater, junior, forward

Adrian Hernandez: Dalton, senior, defender

Trent Huff: McMinn County, senior, defender

Ben Kimball: Cleveland, junior, midfielder

Adam Martin: Cleveland, senior, midfielder

Lupe Martinez: Sequatchie County, senior, forward

Eduardo Nunez: Murray County, senior, midfielder

Rolando Rosillo: Dalton, sophomore, forward

Geovanni Villa: Northwest Whitfield, junior, forward

Brent Williams: McMinn Central, junior, forward

TEAMS OF THE YEAR

1. Southeast Whitfield (17-5): The Raiders advanced to the Georgia Class AAA state semifinals.

2. Dalton (13-3-1): The Catamounts won 13 games and made it to the Georgia AAAA second round.

3. Cleveland (11-8-3): The Blue Raiders reached the Class AAA sectional round.

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