Niceville's White is boys soccer POY

By JARED MACARIN

jaredm@nwfdailynews.com

Don't misunderstand Reed White.

The Niceville senior likes to score goals and is quite proficient at putting shots in the back of the net.

It's just that he wants more.

"I don't want to be someone who only scores goals," White said. "I want my teammates to score too."

With that type of mindset, White became a true playmaker in the middle of the Eagles' attack this season, helping lead them to a fourth straight district title and a spot in the regional semifinals.

The talented junior finished the season with 18 goals and 19 assists. White is this year's All Sports Association/Daily News boys soccer Player of the Year.

He beat out Fort Walton Beach's Sean Reynolds and Navarre's Robby Elsas for the honor.

"He's just a top-notch player that has a lot going for him," Niceville coach Wes Nelson said of White. "He always did good things with the ball when he got it."

White played on defense as a sophomore as Nelson felt the team had more of a need there.

This season, Nelson saw more of a need up front and moved White to his more natural spot on offense. White played on offense as a freshman on the junior varsity team before switching positions in his first year on varsity.

The Eagles coach had no worries about the switch and making White a focal point of the attack.

"I knew he would be real comfortable in that role," Nelson said. "He has always had a knack to finish goals and is good with the ball at his feet. Once we put him at center midfield, we wanted to get the ball to him and run the offense through him."

White wasn't too concerned either, and didn't mind being the one his teammates would look to.

"I like being the centerpiece," he said. "Well, I enjoy it as long as I play good."

He did just that, and the move translated into plenty of success.

"I thought I had a good season," said White, who was second on the team in goals and first in assists. "It was a lot of fun out there. There is a lot of expectations and you don't want to get complacent. You don't want to let anyone down."

White's goals entering the season were having as many, if not more, assists than goals and also starting every game.

He met both of those marks, and his durability was crucial throughout the year as the Eagles battled injuries to numerous players.

"Those were my two goals," he said. "I had a fun season, but I think you can always play better."

Nelson could not have been happier with not only White's production on the field, but his approach to the game and team in general.

Nelson said White shined the brightest when he was needed the most.

"In our toughest games, he played his best," Nelson said. "That is the mark of a great player. He's a good teammate and he is so unselfish. That is one thing I love about him. He puts team first."

And with one more season to go, White is upping the stakes on how far he and the Eagles can fly.

"It should be a great year," he said.

"I hope to do just as good, if not better. I'm excited for it."

First team

G - Ryan Riggs, Niceville

G - Zach O'Hara Navarre

D - Sean Reynolds, FWB

D - Jake Pratt, Niceville

D - Robbie Russell, Niceville

D - Sam Irwin, Choctawhatchee

M - Robby Elsas, Navarre

M - Kevin Sims, Niceville

M - Reed White, Niceville

M - Cristhian Ramirez, Navarre

F - Ricky Bennington, FWB

F - Ricky Hoegg, Choctawhatchee

F - Eric Sims, Niceville

F - Donnie Dorenkamp, Niceville

Second team

G - Dion Jones, SW

G - Joey Murphy, FWB

D - Justin Santasier, Niceville

D - Matt Brewer, Navarre

D - Aaron Miles, FWB

D - Bruce Boyette, Choctaw

M - Austin Van Decar, Niceville

M - Alex Rankin, FWB

M - Colin Berrigan, Niceville

M - Beau Rushing, Walton

F - Pedro Alba, Niceville

F - Uriel Baza, Walton

F - Casey Anderson, Crestview

F - C.J. Atwell, South Walton

Honorable mention

Choctawhatchee: Luis Mendoza, John Johnson, Grant Crawford

Crestview: Jacob Gourlie, Rusty Golden, Kenny Born

Fort Walton Beach: Don David, Dylan Hawkins, Anthony Betts, Ricky Quirao

Freeport: Dustin Hayhurst, Aaron Fordem, Camilo Giraldo, Josh Purves

Navarre: Chet Moyer, Mitch Hagood

Niceville: Will Parchment, Alex Stanton, Taylor Noon

Rocky Bayou Christian: James Kaim, Steven Marshall, Noah Mosley, Scott Listak, Amani Beliveau

South Walton: Lalo Gordillo, Diego Olayo

Walton: James Sydenstryker, Mario Roehr, Ben Jones, Mikeal Rhodes, Dustin Rhodes, Justin Potts, Francisco Ramirez, Chris Overstreet