These 7 Section 2 soccer gamers are rising as standouts through the 2026 season
The leaves are altering colours, temperatures are falling and the races to safe Section 2 soccer playoff spots are heating up as we enter Week 6 of the 2026 season.
Ahead of this week’s video games, which begin Friday evening, there are a complete of 13 space squads rated on this week’s state soccer polls. While a lot of these groups are led by established stars, the native highschool soccer season has additionally seen various gamers emerge to develop into new standouts.
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Here are seven gamers who’ve develop into stars this season, as their groups search to contend for sectional titles.
Kam Clarke, Hudson senior
About: Clarke’s devoted pursuit of enhancing his all-around soccer abilities has helped the operating again produce 821 yards and eight touchdowns for the Bluehawks within the 4 video games he has performed. His largest output got here when he ran for 247 yards in a 29-20 setback towards Cobleskill-Richmondville and his lowest complete got here when he produced 177 yards in a 34-20 win over Chatham/Ichabod Crane.
Tyler Connolly, Columbia senior
About: From the crew’s season-opening 48-27 choice over Queensbury to his most-recent efficiency in a 49-20 win towards South Glens Falls, Connolly has led a proficient offensive assault for the Blue Devils at quarterback. In 4 video games performed (Columbia forfeited final week vs. Troy), Connolly has related on 39 of 59 passes for 617 yards, 11 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. The senior has additionally reached the tip zone twice on landing runs for the state’s No. 28 ranked Class A crew, which is 4-1.
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Kenny Dagostino, Schalmont/Duanesburg/Berne-Knox-Westerlo freshman
About: In the primary season of a merger that has introduced the roster ranks as much as 32 gamers, Dagostino has slot in properly because the Sabres’ first-year beginning quarterback. Last week, Schalmont/Duanesburg/Berne-Knox-Westerlo produced a 21-20 win in additional time over Averill Park. Dagostino threw for 147 yards in that contest and general has accomplished 35 of 54 passes for 451 yards and 4 touchdowns for a crew that has received 4 of 5 outings up to now.
Micah Hantho, Cobleskill-Richmondville senior
About: The Bulldogs are having fun with a stable season at 4-1 general, having dropped a 21-20 additional time choice towards Class B foe Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk in Week 5. Cobleskill-Richmondville stands at No. 14 within the Class C state rankings and a giant purpose why is Hantho, who’s beginning at each tight finish and defensive finish. At 6-foot-4 and 240 kilos, Hantho supplies the offense with an added blocking pressure and can be a succesful receiver.
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Talon Immel, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake junior
About: Summoned final yr to the varsity crew after enjoying 4 video games on the JV squad in 2025, Immel had a few stable video games filling in at operating again for an injured Peyton Marshall. This season, Immel — who’s a member of the nationwide 17-and-under boys’ lacrosse crew — has rolled up 485 yards and 7 touchdowns in 4 video games for the Spartans (5-0 general, 4-0 Class A). Immel simply made a verbal dedication to play his faculty lacrosse on the University at Albany.
Myles Johnson, Christian Brothers Academy senior
About:
Johnson, an outdoor linebacker, is among the crew’s main tacklers. As the season has progressed, the senior has began to get some probabilities to hold the soccer, too, and the outcomes have been unbelievable. Johnson has run the ball 13 instances for 266 yards (20.5 yards per carry) and 4 touchdowns. His longest run of the season lined 87 yards.
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Matt Kowalski, Christian Brothers Academy senior
About: The senior quarterback made his presence felt straight away this season. During his first varsity begin in Week 1 towards Archbishop Stepinac, Kowalski’s first move try went for a landing and he threw 5 extra throughout a 62-24 victory. Kowalski has helped lead the Brothers to a 5-0 begin and the No. 3 state rating within the Class AA state ballot by throwing for 822 yards and 13 touchdowns to associate with 280 yards dashing and three touchdowns.
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This article initially printed at These 7 Section 2 football players are emerging as standouts during the 2026 season.
