JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — The moot question unanswered as the boys soccer season begins is ‘Can anyone beat the Jackson Broncs?’ Magic 8 Ball answer? “Don’t count on it.” Defending champions, Jackson Hole looks like a sure bet to repeat as the Broncs return just about everybody who starred on the pitch last season including no less than six 1st team all-staters.
Back for their senior campaign are scoring machine Daniel Huerta, assist leader Charlie Hoelscher, all-around offensive threat Hunter Dewell, as well as Miguel Perez, Sahir Romero, Chris Tzompa, Dilan Tzompa-Perez, Jonathan Vazquez Vargas, Kai McClennen, Charlie Barden, and Cesar Jimenez Vazquez. Starting all-state goalkeeper Javy Huta is also a senior.
“It’s a large senior class. A record senior class,” coach Matt Hoelscher said. “I’ve been coaching them since U10. I know them really well and they know me. We are all on the same page as far as expectations.”
The impressive list of returning seniors does not even include Jackson’s leading goal scorer last season, sophomore Teddy Opler, and the dangerous Rutley Heinemann, a junior.
This team is flat loaded and ready to defend its state title and 18-2 record of last season.
The Coaches and Media preseason poll agrees, Jackson is the team to beat in the 4A. The two-time defending champs received eight of the ten first-place votes. Thunder Basin follows in the No. 2 spot. Kelly Walsh is nine points ahead of Sheridan for third. Laramie completes the top five of the preseason rankings.
So, what are your goals when everyone is already saying you’re the best? How to stay motivated when a 3rd straight championship seems a done deal?
First off, don’t even posit an undefeated season to coach Hoelscher. It’s like mentioning a no-hitter to a pitcher in the dugout.
“We don’t talk about an undefeated season. We don’t mention it. Last year, those losses (both to Kelly Walsh) came at a good time for us. They made us better,” Hoelscher said. “Is our goal to win every game? Yeah. And I think we are capable of winning every game. But the goal is to get to the state championship game. We are eager to 3-peat.”
Jackson 2, Lander Valley 0
For 65 minutes against Lander Valley last Friday, if the Tigers were expected to lay down for the highly-touted Broncs, they obviously didn’t get the message. Jackson controlled the majority of the play at home, hit a couple of posts, but with 15 minutes left in regulation, neither team had anything to show on the scoreboard for their efforts.
“I was a little nervous during that one,” Hoelscher admitted.
Broncs midfielders Charlie Hoelscher and Dilan Tzompa both sat out the opener, serving one-game red card suspensions carrying over from last year’s state title game.
Teddy Opler finally broke the scoreless tie with a penalty kick, and Danny Huerta added an insurance goal off a corner klick just minutes later for the 2-0 opening day win.
Jackson 8, Riverton 2
The Broncs appeared to hit their stride Saturday as the experienced ball-possession team trounced the Wolverines in Riverton.
Charlie Hoelscher led the way with a hattrick. Rutley Heinemann, Sahir Romero, and a host of other Broncs also got on the scoresheet in the lopsided win. Coach Hoelscher was also able to give underclassmen some minutes including backup goalkeeper, freshman Owen Beninga, who played the second half.
Next up
The Broncs (2-0) travel to Green River to take on the Wolves (0-1) this Thursday at 5pm. Then it’s a return home Saturday to host impressive Rock Springs (2-0). The Tigers trounced Thunder Basin 5-1 last Saturday after beating Campbell County 6-2 in their opener Friday.
