Park Hill South senior goalkeeper Hayden Thatcher will lead the defense this year.

The Park Hill South boys’ soccer team has a veteran squad, building off a 14-7 season when it won nine of the final 12 games – three of which were in overtime – before losing in the Class 4 District 8 Championship.

Park Hill South has nine returning starters, led by six seniors. The Panthers also have a trio of juniors who were starters last year with midfielders Dante Toapanta and Jake Farmer, plus forward Ty Stone.

“This is a talented group of players, but even more importantly, they have a unique team chemistry and are close off the field as well,” Park Hill South head boys’ soccer coach Chris Farmer said. “The boys have worked hard over the summer to build team chemistry and continue to work hard each day in training.”

Park Hill South has an experienced backfield with Jace Hubbard, Lucas Smith, Jake Dickerson, Dillon DiBernardo and Asher Huffman. The Panthers’ goalkeeper is Hayden Thatcher, a senior.

Zack Adams and Isaiah Mesa will take up the midfield for the second straight season. Quinlan McNellis is an offensive threat for Park Hill South.

“We have a lot of attacking threats and expect several players to be vying for the leading scorer. The key to our season will be the four H’s: keeping players healthy, humble, hungry and happy,” Farmer said.

Park Hill South hasn’t won a district title since 2019 after winning three straight from 2014 to 2016. The Panthers are in the competitive Silver Division of the Kansas City Suburban Conference.

“Our conference is one of the best soccer conferences in Kansas City, so we must prepare for

every opponent we play. As far as the class goes, we are in the biggest class in Missouri soccer,

Class 4, so the competition is tough, no matter who you play,” Farmer said.