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.