PrepXtra boys soccer team announced

Greeneville’s run to the 2017 Class A/AA boys state soccer championship started in the earliest stages of the season.

The Greene Devils began the season 0-2-1 with losses to Christian Brothers of Memphis and J.L. Mann of Greenville, S.C., and a tie against Station Camp of Gallatin during a tournament in Gatlinburg.

It was a prelude to a demanding schedule that ultimately paid off.

Greeneville (20-4-2) finished the season with a nine-game winning streak after a 2-1 victory over Page in the state championship, leading to Jerry Graham being named PrepXtra Boys Soccer Coach of the Year.

Graham is 127-42-10 in eight seasons as Greeneville’s boys coach. He was previously the assistant under John Eiskamp, who coached both boys and girls until Graham’s tenure began and continues coaching the girls.

Greeneville’s boys made their seventh consecutive appearance at state this year, and after losing in the semifinals the previous two years, had a breakthrough this time in Murfreesboro.

The Greene Devils’ top scorer in 2017 was J.P. Vital, a PrepXtra first-team selection. Vital had 28 goals and 11 assists.

The PrepXtra boys soccer team also includes News Sentinel Boys Soccer Player of the Year winner Matt Zaczyk from CAK.

PrepXtra boys soccer team:

Matt Zaczyk, CAK

Matt Hulihan, Maryville

Austin Bihlmeyer, Farragut

Will Lewis, Bearden

Andrew Foster, Hardin Valley

Kalulou Bamba, Central

Austin Vinyard, Oak Ridge

Ben Smith, Alcoa

Andrew Roulier, Catholic

J.P. Vital, Greeneville