Colonels up to the Ninth Region challenge

By: Marc Hardin, prepsports@enquirer.com (cincinnati.com)

(Photo: The Community Recorder/James Weber

The Jeremy Robertson coaching tree is branching out with some new sprouts. The Covington Catholic soccer coach and one-time Highlands coach has five former assistants who are now head coaches, four of them leaders of area boys' soccer programs.

"It always makes things interesting when you go head to head," Robertson said. "It should definitely make for an interesting year."

Every year is interesting in the Ninth Region, which confounded its followers with yet another surprise tournament champion. St. Henry entered last year's regional three games above .500, and knocked off Holy Cross, Boone County and perennial power CovCath in the penalty-kick final.

CovCath was a favorite last season, rendering last year's second straight regional ouster via penalty kick a bitter disappointment. But Robertson was happy for St. Henry coach Stephen Hahn, his former assistant at Highlands.

"I've always said that whoever is playing the best in the regional, wins," Hahn said. "We had 16 seniors last year, and we lost them. I think we're going to be OK with our six new seniors, but I think when you're looking for a team that can win the Ninth Region, you have to look at seniors. CovCath and Conner have a lot of seniors."

Conner welcomes back 10 starters after failing to qualify for the regional. All but two players are seniors. Veterans include forward Logan Parsons, defenders Gavin Siekman, Zane Dennler and Jake Ryan, and dynamic midfielder Charlie Wend, who scored 15 goals. Parsons had six goals and 12 assists.

"Before this, the biggest senior class I had was eight," Conner coach Kevin Crone said. "We have never won the region. But, for once, we have a lot of seniors, and it's important to have that."

CovCath returns 18 seniors and seven starters, including forward Jacob Litzler, midfielder Bryce Day and defenders Michael Wessels, Austin Flynn and Ben Darpel. Day, a Division I college recruit, and Wessels are three-year starters. Day scored six goals last season. Liztzler scored five.

"St. Henry was senior-heavy last year, and that group pulled through," said Robertson, in his fourth year at CovCath. "I'm hoping senior experience takes us farther. We have several juniors who are playing well. We have a lot of guys who remember their last two seasons ending on penalty kicks."

Another former Robertson assistant, Highlands coach Matthew Winkler, knows the sinking feeling of a close loss. The Bluebirds fell 1-0 to Boone County in the first round of the regional tournament. Boone County, coached by former Robertson assistant Chris Norris, lost 2-1 to St. Henry in the semifinals.

All but three regional games resulted in one-score margins. Coaches expect something similar this year. Looking to challenge the Colonels and Cougars are Boone County, Cooper, Dixie Heights, Highlands, Holy Cross, Newport Central Catholic, Ryle and St. Henry.

Defending 10th Region champion Scott is rebuilding after last year's trip to the state final. The Eagles return five starters including senior goalkeeper CJ Seay and senior attacker Devin Morgan. Bishop Brossart seeks a return to the top during the Eagles' youth movement.

Defending 32nd District champion Simon Kenton returns seven starters as the top local team in the Eighth Region.

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