The high school boys' soccer season in the Southern Tier is set to kick off with a slate of matches that promise fresh storylines and familiar rivalries.
Returning stars and fresh faces
Avoca‑Prattsburgh enters the campaign with senior Carter Button, the 2025 Steuben County Division 2 Player of the Year, who finished last season with 23 goals and 38 assists. His presence anchors a squad that also welcomes back junior Josh Carlton and sophomore Ariun Mikel McIntyre, the latter training with the RNY MLS Academy.
Just a short drive away, Fillmore will rely on junior Brayden Walton, who contributed 16 goals and 12 assists a year ago, and junior goalie Jared Boon, who posted 115 saves. The team finished a remarkable 21‑1‑1 record last season, though they lost leading scorer Isaiah Sisson to graduation.
Coach John Stamets of Avoca‑Prattsburgh expects the team to build on a recent sectional championship, emphasizing the blend of experience and the new talent joining the roster.
New directions and legacy
Hornell will be led by first‑year head coach Caden Dunham, stepping into a role once held by the legendary Jim Tobin, who amassed eight sectional titles over a 40‑year career. Dunham inherits standout players such as senior Cody Cardamone and sophomore Logan Weitzel, while the program also benefits from the indoor youth travel teams he previously directed, which attracted more than 50 participants in grades three through six during the 2023 season and drew 85 campers aged five to twelve in a 2026 showcase.
Bath‑Haverling brings back Coach Matt Hill, who now guides an experienced side bolstered by incoming juniors Seth Rounds, Connor Binkowski and Josh Wheeler after the team moved up to LCAA Division 2. Hill’s expectations are high, especially with a roster that includes several All‑Tournament selections.
The season opener pits Hornell against Northern Potter, Pennsylvania, on August 26, and the schedule features seven home games, including a much‑anticipated clash with Section VI powerhouse East Aurora. Both Avoca‑Prattsburgh and Fillmore will meet again in the same sectional bracket, a rematch of last year’s State Qualifier that saw Fillmore emerge victorious.
All‑star goalkeeper Zach Heale, along with teammates Chase Mummey, Evan Obrochta and Austin Swift, were part of last season’s Class D2 All‑Tournament team, underscoring the depth of talent across the region.
Fillmore’s 2025 campaign will test how the team adapts without Sisson, but the return of Walton and Boon offers a solid foundation as they aim to defend their strong record.