Somerset — The Somerset Briar Jumper boy’s soccer team enjoyed a very successful 2009 season, as Brian Blankenship and crew posted an impressive, 14-5-2 record.
The Briar Jumpers won the Boy’s 30th District Soccer Tournament, and went onto the 15th Regional Tournament, where Somerset upset Boyle County 1-0, before falling to Danville in the championship game of the tourney by a 3-1 margin.
Still, it was a very successful year for the purple and gold, therefore Somerset is very well represented on The Commonwealth Journal’s 2009 All-County Boy’s Soccer Team.
Leading the way is our Player of the Year, and that’s Somerset’s keeper Ben Blevins.
Blevins had a monster year in ‘09 as one of Somerset’s team captains.
Blevins made Honorable Mention All-State for his work in goal this past season, and he finished ranked third in the state in total shutouts with 10.
His goals allowed were less than one per game, and he was named to the 2009 All-District Tournament team, where he was chosen as the Defensive MVP.
Maybe the most impressive feat Blevins turned in during a stellar campaign for the Briar Jumpers was his work in the opening game of the 15th Regional Tournament, when he stymied a powerful Boyle County team time and time again, in helping lead his club to a 1-0 upset win over the highly-touted Rebels.
Joining Blevins on our team are three of his SHS teammates.
Alex Pence had a monster senior season as well for the Jumpers, finishing the 2009 campaign with 24 goals and 14 assists — good enough for 16th in the state.
Pence finished as Somerset’s offensive MVP for each of the past two seasons in 2007 and ‘08, and he followed that up by being named to the ‘09 All-PC Cup Team, as well as making the 2009 All-Region squad.
Corey Mounce also served as a team captain for the Briar Jumpers this season, and he earned All-State Honorable Mention honors as well for his work this year along with Blevins.
Mounce, a defender for the Briar Jumpers, was part of a stingy Somerset defense that recorded 10 shutouts throughout the course of the season.
Mounce was a member of the All-District Team, the All-PC Cup Team, as well as a member of the 2009 All-Region Team.
Rounding out our team from Somerset was an impressive sophomore in Trevor Herd.
Herd started the final 12 games of the season for Somerset, scoring 12 goals and recording five assists along the way, which included a four-goal performance against Pulaski County in the semi finals of the 30th District Tournament.
Herd also came up big against Southwestern in the district championship game with a goal, helping him receive All-District Team honors.
A quartet of Southwestern Warriors made our All-County squad this year, led by Cody Inabnitt.
Inabnitt was an All-District, All-Region, and All-State Honorable Mention selection this season, helping coach James Ray and company to another regional tournament appearance.
Inabnitt, who served as the Warriors team captain for the past two seasons, tallied 10 goals in ‘09 to go along with eight assists.
Eric Bird, another All-District selection from Southwestern, made our team as well.
Bird netted six goals to go along with nine assists this year, and he was a mainstay in the middle of the field for the Warriors all season long.
Mike New scored nine goals and notched two assists this season, and was another Warrior player that was named to the All-District squad.
Rounding out the quartet from Southwestern is the Warriors Britten Vanhoose.
Vanhoose came out this season, his first as Southwestern’s keeper, and displayed many talents standing in goal for the Warriors.
Vanhoose recorded three shutouts in ‘09, and recorded 134 saves during an outstanding season.
Three Pulaski County Maroons round out our squad; they are Zach Taylor, Saleh Al-Kabandi, and Jared Burgett.
Taylor was the heart and soul for the Maroons this season, and when he was lost for a month due to a foot injury, the junior’s importance and leadership for PC was sorely missed.
Taylor played in 17 games this season, leading Pulaski County in scoring with 21 goals for the year.
Al-Kabandi meanwhile also missed time with some injury problems, yet he still managed to net nine goals for the season.
Burgett meanwhile, much in the mold of Taylor, was a kid that gave coach Jose Barron everything he had on the field, night in and night out.
Burgett scored three goals on the year, but the leadership and hustle that he displayed out on the field gave Pulaski County a steady force all season long.
Local Sports
Related Photos
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Somerset's Ben Blevins — Player of the Year Steve Cornelius Photo
Commonwealth Journal All-County Boys Soccer Team
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