Clinton soccer embraces fresh start under Leander
The Clinton High School boys’ soccer team kicked off a new era with the start of its 2025 season. The Dragons are now led by new head coach Filip Leander, who takes over for Gene Chunn, who retired after last season.
Chunn guided the Dragons for three seasons, arriving at Clinton following a successful run as head coach at Carter High School and a stint as an assistant for the Powell High School girls’ team.
“Coach Chunn did a good job laying the foundation, but those guys have graduated,” said Leander, who has taught at Clinton for 18 years and previously coached the Dragons in the 2010s. “I’m not sure exactly when my last season was—maybe 2017 or so.
“Honestly, we’re going to completely rebuild the program and establish a culture focused on training the right way. Like any coach, I want us to win as many games as possible. But we’re starting over, building from the ground up, so Year One will be all about mastering the fundamentals.”
Not only do the Dragons have a new coach, but they also feature a roster filled with new faces, many of whom will likely experience growing pains this season.
“We have a very young team,” said Leander, who currently serves as the director at FC Alliance and has coached club soccer for 25 years. “We have 23 freshmen and sophomores, making up about two-thirds of our roster.”
Top returning players for the Dragons include senior forward Osmar Vasquez, sophomore midfielder Angel Santiago-Venegas, junior forward Christian Honeycutt, junior defender Raymond Gray, and junior defender Isaac Purcell.
These veterans will be joined by a talented group of newcomers eager to make an impact early. Key new additions to the varsity squad include:
Top newcomers to the varsity side include Matthew Johnson (sophomore, defender); Landen Meyer (sophomore, defender); Andrew Vargas (sophomore, midfielder); Omar Soto (sophomore, midfielder); Juan Morales Perez (sophomore, defender); Isaiah Francisco (freshman, forward/midfielder); Hunter Rigney (sophomore, forward); Jayden Comacho Santiago (freshman, midfielder); Martin Rivera Menjivar (sophomore forward); Jefferson Palacios Pena (sophomore, midfielder); Manny Quinones (sophomore, forward); Lucas Fischesser (sophomore, defender); Lucas Ambrocio (sophomore, forward); Britain Wilcox (freshman, defender) and Isaac Rodriguez Hernandez (freshman, defender).
Leander’s coaching staff includes assistant coach Sylvain David, who returns after serving on Chunn’s staff last season. David’s experience will be vital as the Dragons navigate this rebuilding phase.
Team strengths according to Leander, includes his team’s passion for the game and a group of young and talented players.
“We have a lot of young talent, and we have players who really love the sport,” he said. “Our areas of concern are our youth and inexperience.
“We also don’t have many people who have played organized soccer at a competitive level.”
Clinton opened its season against Eagleton Tuesday. Results were not available at press time. They’ll play at Campbell County on March 18.
