Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

Ricky Bobby’s dad Reese was wrong when he said, “If you’re not first, you’re last.”

Two St. Joseph soccer players proved that being second was just fine when it’s second team All-Ohio honors.

St. Joseph Flyers’ senior forward Joseph Payton was named to the Ohio High School Soccer Coaches’ Association Division III second team All-Ohio team after leading the Flyers in scoring this season.

The Female Flyers’ junior forward Sydney Payne was a Division III second team All-Ohio selection after helping St. Joseph win a sectional title in its first year of play.

The Female Flyers finished 12-3-1 in their inaugural season.

Payton and Payne were first team all-district for the Southeast coaches’ association.

“(Payton) was a fabulous finisher whose speed could not be contained by the defense as illustrated by the fact that when he made runs on goal, the whole defense collapsed o n him,” said Flyers’ coach Mike Arrington.

Payton had 72 career goals— three shy of the school record — including a singled-season record 32 this year, five more than the previous record. He had 18 goals as a junior but missed the final four games with a knee injury.