High school young boys soccer: 2025 Players of the Year managed
Previous to the 2025 season, just 8 players in Utah state history had actually ever hit the lofty 30-goal mark.
This year, 3 of the Deseret News kids soccer Players of the Year struck the high mark, and even numerous who didn’t still made a significant effect and led their group to playoff success.Here’s who won
the 2025 Deseret News young boys soccer Players of the Year.
Lone Peak’s Juan Cubillas, center, and American Fork’s Miller Hall, left, and Ian Brinkerhoff, right, defend possession of the ball during a boys varsity soccer game at American Fork High School in American Fork on Friday, April 11, 2025.|Tess Crowley, Deseret News
6A Gamer of the Year
Miller Hall, American Fork, Sr., MF
American Fork’s Miller Hall didn’t frequently get the spotlight, but make no error, he was vital in the Cavemen’s 6A champion run.
Hall helped the deadly American Fork offense all year while contributing substantially on the defensive end.
In the 6A semifinal against Skyridge, American Fork was in danger as it was in a 1-1 tie. However, Hall punched the Cavemen’s ticket to the champion with a consent objective in the 50th minute.
While Hall should have the spotlight, the majority of his production was made in the background. Hall finished his season with 6 objectives and 9 assists.Hall will play
at the next level for North Idaho College.
“Miller Hall was exceptional both in our attack and defensively for us this season,” said American Fork head coach Casey Waldron. “Among the most excellent interactions we had with Miller this year as a training personnel was when we asked him what he desired most out of this soccer season, his senior year. He merely stated without hesitation, ‘Coach, I want to win, I don’t care about the distinctions or the goals or the assists, I just desire our group to win and have a possibility to recover to back state titles.’
“Our reply to him was, ‘Then you require to play in whatever function we put you in.’ That function was as our box-to-box midfielder, and when required as a 2nd pivot, center protective midfielder or No. 6. He informed us he was willing to do whatever was asked of him.”
Waldron went on to state, “Miller stepped up in a big way, supplying a few of the best deals with on the field when we needed a drop in addition to his imaginative playmaking in our attack. He has a motor on him that enables him to be all over the field anywhere he is required to instill energy and responsibility to all of our players.
“Miller was our unnamed captain that didn’t need an armband to lead on the field. Among Miller’s greatest strengths is his grit and competitive drive to be the best player on the field, and he proved that on several events. Miller made everybody around him much better due to the fact that he demanded of them and led by example.”
Wasatch forward Jayden Cosper (8 )heads the ball while safeguarded by Alta defender Zach Lovell (21) during the national championship of the 5A high school kids soccer state competition held at America First Field in Sandy on Thursday, Might 22, 2025.|Isaac Hale, Deseret News
5A Gamer of the Year
Jayden Cosper, Wasatch, Sr.Wasatch’s Jayden
Cosper simply may have been the most offensively deadly player in the state this year. Cosper led the Wasps to their third straight 5A champion look while providing 30 objectives and 12 assists on the year. The 30-goal mark ties Cosper for seventh in the most goals in a single season in state history. In 21 games this season, Cosper provided a goal in all but
two while typically dispensing a help. He will also dip into the next level at Salt Lake Neighborhood College. It is likewise the 2nd year in a row in which Cosper has won 5A Gamer of the Year honors. “Watching Jayden turn into the player he is today has been among the greatest honors of my coaching career,” stated Wasatch head coach Lance Cosper.”Being named the 5A MVP for a second season is a well-deserved recognition for a boy who has actually put everything into this program on and off the field.” Jayden isn’t just our leading scorer, he’s our heartbeat. His 30-goal season set a brand-new requirement not just for Wasatch, however for the entire state. But what separates Jayden isn’t simply the numbers. It’s his leadership, consistency and capability to rise in the most significant moments. He’s led this team to three straight state champion appearances, and in each of those seasons, he was the driving force behind our success.Lance Cosper continued, “Whether it was scoring the game-winning objective in a championship or appearing early to
coach younger players, Jayden elevated everybody around him. He made Wasatch soccer a force to be considered, and more importantly, he left the program better than he found it.This MVP honor is simply the starting for Jayden. He’s preparing to serve a two-year objective, which speaks volumes about his character and dedication beyond the game. When he returns, I believe he’ll continue to do amazing things at the next level. We’re proud of him not simply for the objectives and records, but for the colleague, leader and individual he’s become. He’s left a tradition at Wasatch that will influence future players for years to come.” Dixie’s Taylor Kogan(13)celebrates with colleagues as he comes off the field following scoring a goal throughout a 4A boys soccer semifinal between Dixie and Ridgeline at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.|Brice Tucker, Deseret News 4A Player of the Year Taylor Kogan, Dixie, Sr., F Just like Cosper, Dixie’s Taylor Kogan simply poured on the goals this season for the Flyers. In pure numbers, no one in the state produced more scoring than Kogan. Kogan led
Dixie to a best 12-0 region record and a 4A champion appearance. The final season stat tally for Kogan was 30 objectives and 15 assists. This season the Flyers scored 73 objectives, indicating Kogan scored or helped on 62%of all objectives this season. He will join Cosper at Salt Lake Community College.”You get fortunate to coach a player like Taylor Kogan only a few
times in your training profession, “stated Dixie head coach Travis Wilkinson. “Taylor could elevate the game of all the players around him by setting the highest requirement of work ethic and creativity. The reality is that he has attributes that are challenging to coach as his creativity and creativity make him among the most entertaining players I have actually ever enjoyed play this game. His strength in his capability to stay made up on ball while creating something out
of nothing is practically magical and so amusing. “Wilkinson went on to state of Kogan,”His colleagues would feed off his vision and talent. Taylor’s technical ability on ball is dazzling, and his left foot is unmatched. He was ruthless at improving his free kicks and ended up being a master finisher on set pieces. Taylor’s strengths are his
maturity, intensity, creativity and soccer IQ experience.I literally can’t say enough good about Taylor as he logged a record 30 goals and 15 helps to assist lead our team to brand-new school records of 73 goals from more than 60 helps in a single season.” Ogden Tigers midfielder Luis Velasco, right,( 15)dribbles the ball down the field in the 3A kids soccer state champion at America First Field in Sandy on Saturday, Might 10, 2025.|Tess Crowley, Deseret News 3A Player of the Year Luis Velasco, Ogden, Sr., MF For the second successive season, the Ogden Tigers ended up as 3A state champions. This year they did so with an undefeated 18-0 record. Just Maeser Preparation scored more goals than Ogden this season, with the Tigers logging 81 total objectives this season. The 81-goal mark makes sense when you consider Ogden had Luis Velasco at its helm.Velasco broke a state record
with 25 assists in a single
season, while likewise punching 18
goals. When it comes to orchestrating an offensive attack, Velasco was among the best in the state.In 4 years with Ogden, Velasco had 27 objectives, 38
assists and was called to the 3A first team twice in addition to this 3A Player of the Year honor.” Luis has actually been a four-year Varsity starter and a foundation of our group, standing out as a playmaker on both ends of the pitch,
“stated Ogden head coach Todd Scott.”He’s one of the most dynamic and explosive midfielders I have actually had the benefit to coach– equally impactful on offense and defense. As our captain, Luis leads by example with his
work principles, composure and dedication both on and off the field. This season, he led the group with 25 helps and 18 objectives, playing an essential
function in helping us secure back-to-back state champions. Scott concluded, “His enthusiasm, commitment and unrelenting drive set the tone for our entire program, and his voice has been a continuous source of motivation and leadership for his teammates” American Heritage Patriots ‘Cael Tillman(9) tries to get belongings of the ball from Maeser Preparation Academy Lions’Tim Hadfield
(27)in the 2A young boys soccer state champion at America First Field in Sandy on Saturday, Might 10, 2025.|Tess Crowley, Deseret News 2A Player of the Year Cael Tillman, American Heritage, Sr.
, F American Heritage’s Cael Tillman is likewise a member of the elite 30-goal club. Tillman assisted American Heritage reach the 2A championship with an overall of 30 goals and 15 assists on the season. Tillman owns among the most remarkable specific performances this year. In a game versus Intermountain Christian on April 7, he scored
5 goals and one assist. That game
connected the state record for third-most objectives in a single game.” Cael Tillman was the heartbeat of American Heritage this season, leading from the front with an unbelievable 30 goals and 15 assists, “stated American Heritage head coach Jose Milla.”His ruthless work ethic, sharp instincts in front of goal and ability to create possibilities for teammates made him a constant hazard to opposing defenses. “Cael’s mix of speed, technical ability, leadership and composure under
pressure elevated the entire group’s efficiency and spirits. At secret moments he stepped into whichever position the group needed, revealing his adaptability and selflessness. He regularly delivered when the stakes were high and set the tone for the group’s success.”