By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Branson Pirates experienced one of their best seasons in program history in 2021, powered by a potent offense and lockdown defense.
The Pirates finished the season 17-5 overall, 7-2 as co-champions of the Central Ozark Conference, and district runners-up to Springfield Catholic in the Class 3 District 5 championship.
“Last season, we were able to combine offense and defense, and both contributed to our success,” Branson coach David Brenner said. “Our success was a culmination of many players putting in time to grow as individuals and as a team.”
Keys to last year’s run were Carlton Epps, Brayan Barboza and Pilot Ascone – all members of the Class of 2022 and big shoes the Pirates will need to fill this season. Epps and Barboza accounted for 70 percent of the Pirates’ scoring, as the team also allowed just 29 goals against.
After setting Branson’s single-season scoring record with 44 goals in 2020, Epps added 34 more in 2021 and set the career scoring mark with 106 goals, as well as the assist record (46). Epps, a forward, also earned Class 3 all-state, all-district and COC first-team honors and was named the district Offensive Player of the Year. Brenner called Epps “a gifted player who made his teammates better.”
Barboza (forward), whose speed and scoring will be hard to replace, Brenner said, scored 26 goals and had 5 assists in 2021. He was named to the all-district and COC first teams and was an all-state honorable mention selection. Brenner said Barboza was “the emotional leader of our team.”
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Both Epps and Barboza will attend North Arkansas Community College and be members of the inaugural season of the men’s soccer program.
Branson also loses Nathaniel Smith – center back, 2 goals, 2 assists, all-COC and all-district first-team selection; and Jose Najera – center midfielder, 6 goals, 9 assists, all-COC second-team and all-district honoree.
“Although every season is unique, our expectation is that our team will compete in every match and push each other to be the best team we can be,” said Brenner, who is 180-145-7 in 14 years as Branson boys’ coach. “Last season’s graduating class left us with a challenge to defend the title they won.”
Brenner will be looking to seniors Nathan Bartram, Houston Myer, Gabe Kempf, Jack Dawson and Diego Carrasco, as well as sophomore Dane Efird, to lead the way this season.
• Houston Myer, center back – 4 assists, all-conference second team. “Anchor to the center of our defense,” Brenner said.
• Nathan Bartram, center midfielder – 1 goal, 6 assists, all-district selection. “Brings a steady presence to the midfield and provides a quiet confidence to our team as a whole.”
• Gabe Kempf, wing/defender – “Will be our emotional leader.”
• Dane Efird, outside back – “Brings experience and a high soccer IQ.”
• Jack Dawson, midfielder – “The motor that keeps running.”
• Diego Carrasco, defender – Played one match in goal last season.
“The greatest strength of the team this season is our leaders and their ability to create a team atmosphere,” Brenner said. “This group is full of players who know their roles and are willing to do what needs to be done for the team.”
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With the loss of Ascone in goal, Brenner says sophomore keeper Steven Ngyuen is a “capable GK, who will step into goal.”
And with the amount of scoring the Pirates graduated, Brenner will be looking to sophomore forward Sean Dailey to help fill the gap.
“(Dailey) has the ability to create and play off other players,” Brenner said. “He demonstrated his ability to score as a freshman.”
Giving his young players the confidence to perform at the varsity level could be a challenge this season.
“We have several key positions that will be filled by freshmen or sophomores and making the transition to playing varsity will take time,” Brenner said. “This offseason is about learning how to best play with each other. Strength and conditioning is a big focus for our players. We are committed to being prepared to continue the success we had last season.”
Branson will be hosting a jamboree on Aug. 19 that includes Bolivar, Camdenton and Lebanon, before opening the season at Neosho on Aug. 30.
“We have kept the same core schedule the past two years as we continue to challenge our team and prepare for the postseason,” Brenner said. “We want to repeat our success in the COC and take the next step in the postseason.”
