The Santa Barbara area has always been rich with soccer talent, and the Channel League high school boys soccer season proved that it is still the case this winter.
The San Marcos Royals, Santa Barbara High Dons and Dos Pueblos Chargers fielded strong student-athletes across the pitch all year, and they were rewarded with All-League honors.
San Marcos (13-7-2, 8-4-2 CL)
The Royals were the top local team in the Channel League this season, finishing third in the league and reaching the CIF-SS Div. 5 Semifinals.
The midfield duo of senior Sergio Ramirez and junior Yael Solano controlled the field for San Marcos all season en route to All-Channel League First Team selections.
Senior forward Luis Campos and senior defender Axel Martinez held it down on the offensive and defensive ends, respectively, and earned spots on the All-League Second Team.
Meanwhile, senior midfielder Robert Rosales and senior defender Abraham Jimenez also rounded out their high school careers on a high note as All-League Honorable Mentions.
Santa Barbara High (8-9-4, 4-7-3 CL)
The Dons came up just short of a playoff spot this season, earning a fifth-place showing in the Channel League after ending the season 2-0-2 in their last four games.
Senior defender Pietro Nascente anchored the Santa Barbara High defense throughout the season and he was rewarded with an All-League First Team nod.
Senior forward Irving Garcia and sophomore defender Ivan Jilote represented the present and the future of the program, and also represented the team on the All-Channel League Second Team.
The junior pairing of midfielder Earl James Manamea and defender Damian Leon gave Dons’ fans plenty to look forward to next season with All-League Honorable Mention campaigns.
Dos Pueblos (7-9-7, 3-7-4 CL)
The Chargers had an interesting end to their season as well, earning draws in four of their last six Channel League contests.
Junior defender Brandon Stock turned in a strong individual campaign and was the team’s lone representative on the All-Channel League First Team.
Dos Pueblos senior defender Andrew Gomez and junior midfielder Chris Barreto Ordonez kept the Chargers competitive and were named All-Channel League Second Team members.
The senior duo of midfielder Dylan Wooten and goalkeeper Kieran Buell capped off their high school careers in style with All-League Honorable Mention selections.