The Enquirer is kicking off its 2026 high school boys soccer coverage by spotlighting the midfielders who will shape the upcoming season.
Coaches and analysts agree that the most effective midfielders blend defensive discipline with creative attacking flair, often dictating the tempo from the center of the pitch.
Midfielders to Watch
Drew Adams of Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy returns after a breakout year in which he recorded five goals and six assists, earning all‑district honors. Beckett Brinkman from Summit Country Day not only contributed eight goals but also helped his squad capture the Division V state championship, adding eight assists to his résumé.
Brady Dorko of Anderson High School tallied 12 goals and six assists while his team fell just short in the regional final, showcasing a knack for finding space in tight defenses. Aidan Gross of Mariemont led his side to the regional semifinals with 16 goals and 13 assists, a combination that made him one of the most prolific playmakers in the area.
Sam Harding from Turpin added nine goals to a campaign that ended as a Division III regional finalist, while Keith Hiridson of Kings operated as a defensive midfielder, anchoring a Kings team that reached the Division II state runner‑up match.
Dallas Marshall of Conner drove his club to the Ninth Region championship game with six goals and eight assists, and Andy Stein of Indian Hill earned first‑team all‑league honors in the Cincinnati Hills League after posting seven goals and seven assists. Jack Sweeney from St. Xavier was recognized on the All‑Ohio team in Division I, contributing eight goals and six assists.
The list of midfielders to watch also includes Ross Barrett, Henry Brown, Samuel Brown, Alessandro Caggioni, Martin Cowden, Luke Davis, Franco Flores, Conor Flynn, Taichi Hayashida, Zander Johnson, Skyler Kesterman, Carson Koehl, Cooper Neace, Ryan Pavlisko, Owen Rothwell, Kellen Schmitz, Aarush Settapali, Ben Sweeney, Mark Szalay and Sammy Woolery, each bringing a unique skill set to the midfield.
Voting for the preseason poll will close at 4 p.m. on Friday, July 31, giving readers a chance to influence the rankings before the first kickoff. The poll is embedded at the bottom of the story, and the results will be featured in next week’s preview focusing on forwards.
With such a deep pool of talent, the 2026 season promises dynamic play and fierce competition for the midfield crown.