Boys’ Soccer Team Mulling Post-season Action
Trevor Phipps
The Woodland Park Panthers came out swinging at the beginning of the football season with high hopes to break team records.
So far, the team has followed through by winning a slew of games, surging to the top 10 list in the state (based on recent reports) and devouring many opponents.
Meanwhile, the boys’ soccer team is following in their footsteps, with the prospects looking good for another kicking sprint at the playoffs.
The Panthers football team had a test for recent weeks that they passed with flying colors. They overcame Colorado Springs Christian School, which is constantly ranked in the top 10 in 1A. Plus, they won two road matches in a row.
After their 43-7 win against Banning Lewis Academy in Week 6, they nabbed their first league win and guaranteed their team a winning record for 2024. Last week, they had their biggest challenge yet when they battled Lamar, a contest that was regarded by area television stations as one of the top regional games. (For results of this game, visit www.mountainjackpot.com or visit our Facebook page or see the next printed issue of TMJ.)
The Panther football team has been regularly featured during the KRDO television station’s popular “Friday Night Blitz” overview of the top teams to watch.
To date, the team has already generated some league leaders when it comes to stats. At the time of this writing, Senior quarterback Marqus Schoenberger was ranked 12th in 2A with 468 passing yards.
Senior Parker Shreeve has proved to be a team leader on offense with receiving yards, but he also holds high rankings when playing on defense and special teams. Shreeve was recently ranked 9th in 2A statewide with three total sacks on defense. On special teams, Shreeve recorded the 15th best average punt return yards with 16 and he was awarded a 15th place showing with 160 total return yards.
Soccer star and football kicker junior Miles Wiley has been a top scorer for the Panthers football team and is ranked high in 2A statewide ratings.
After their initial five games, the Panthers had moved up to the top 10 in 2A in the state. According to MaxPreps, Woodland Park was recently designated in 10th place, while CHSAA’s ranking put them in 9th.
The Panthers currently are sitting well for a playoff spot if they stay in the top 16. If they can move up to the top eight, they will be hosting a playoff game at Panther Field for the first time ever.
The team plays their final home game this Friday against the 1-4 Florence Huskies. The Huskies won their first league match when they beat Manitou Springs in Week 6, but they are currently ranked 31st statewide in 2A.
The Panthers then end their regular season with two road games. Next week, they play their rivals, the 2-3 Manitou Springs Mustangs who are ranked 33rd in 2A. Regardless of ratings, games between Woodland Park and Manitou always serve as a good regional tussle. Woodland Park ends their regular season on the road against the number 25 ranked 2-3 La Junta Tigers on November 1.
Boys Soccer Team Eyeing Playoffs.

The Woodland Park Panther football team is not the only local sports squad gearing up for post-season action. The fall of 2024 is become a jackpot season for the soccer team that has rebounded well in the last two years.
Last year, the boys’ soccer team broke a school record by hosting their first ever playoff game at Panther Field. This year, they are looking even better after playing the first 10 matches of their regular season.
The Panther soccer stars kicked off the month of October with two big wins. They shut out Palmer Ridge 1-0 and Colorado Springs Christian School 3-0. After 10 games, the team was 7-1-2 and ranked 12th statewide in their 3A league, but they had not yet played a league match.
However, if the Panthers can keep their rank up in the top 16, they will join their football peers in playoffs action this year. And looking at their schedule for the remainder of the regular season, they have a chance to move up even higher and possibly host a playoff game for two years in a row.
At the time of the writing, Senior forward Silas Koelewijn was leading the team on scoring and was ranked 3rd in the 3A Tri-Peaks Division with 18 points.
Junior midfielder Jamie Urban has also been key on the team when it comes to offense. He recently held a first-place spot in the 3A Tri-Peaks Division and 7th in 3A statewide with eight assists.
Junior goalie Noah Magestrelli has also been vital to the team’s success, according to current statistics.
At this point, the soccer Panthers have four matches left to play in the regular season. This Tuesday, they hit the road to take on the 1-8 James Irwin Jaguars at 6 p.m. On Thursday, the team comes back home to battle the 5-5 Atlas Preparatory School Gryphons at 6:30 p.m.
But they face probably the most important games the following week.
Next Tuesday the boys’ soccer team plays away against the 6-4-1 Lamar Thunder at 4:30 p.m. Then next Thursday, the team ends their 2024 regular season at home against their rivals the 7-2-2 Manitou Springs Mustangs. Nothing more need to be mentioned regarding this contest, which will feature the best kickers in the region.