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Varsity 541 NEWS NOW Oregon's economy roaring at 'full throttle,' state economists say ... Jeld-Wen files to go public with stock offering ... Massive rehearsal planned for Northwest mega-quake, tsunami ... Oregon's economy roaring at 'full throttle,' state economists say ... Jeld-Wen files to go public with stock offering ... Massive rehearsal planned for Northwest mega-quake, tsunami ... BOYS SOCCER Owings owning South Medford senior leads high-scoring attack Comment By Dan Jones Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Dan Jones Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 18, 2015 at 5:54 PM Updated Oct 18, 2015 at 6:34 PM By Dan Jones Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 18, 2015 at 5:54 PM Updated Oct 18, 2015 at 6:34 PM --> KYLE OWINGS WHO: Forward has a team-high 25 goals this season for the Panthers, who have the most goals (46) at the Class 6A level. UP NEXT: Tuesday, South Medford ... » Read more X KYLE OWINGS WHO : Forward has a team-high 25 goals this season for the Panthers, who have the most goals (46) at the Class 6A level. UP NEXT : Tuesday, South Medford at North Medford, Spiegelberg Stadium, 4 p.m. » Social News Every season for the last 10 years, current South Medford boys head soccer coach Josh Desmond and former Panther coach Dave Kaufman have compiled an all-time starting 11 unit, just for fun. Many worthy players have cycled through the program during that span, but Desmond and Kaufman didn’t hesitate to add a current member of the roster to the list of all-stars. “Kyle Owings would be on that list of 11, without a doubt,” says the first-year head coach, who was an assistant under Kaufman during those 10 seasons. The electric Owings, a senior striker and team captain, has collected a team-high 25 goals this season for the Panthers (8-1-4, 6-0-3 SWC), who are in first place in the Southwest Conference and lead the Class 6A level in goals scored with 46. Lakeridge and McMinnville are second with 38 each. Owings’ goals mark may also be a school record, Kaufman says. “If he’s not (the record holder), he’s got to be really close,” says Kaufman, who is Desmond’s brother-in-law. “And I’ll say this — in the 10 years we were all together, (Owings) eclipsed our records for goal scoring for sure. By probably double.” Behind the strong reviews stands a young man who made a sacrifice to suit up for South after being accepted to play for the MLS Portland Timbers’ Academy this summer in Beaverton. He forwent the full-time opportunity — which would have required him to move to Portland — to wrap up his prep career as a Panther. Several factors went into the decision, Owings says, but he’s happy with his decision. So is Desmond. “We are extremely thankful he didn’t do it,” Desmond says. “It was amazing. He wanted to finish out his high school career.” In recent years, the South program saw stars Mitch North and Uriel Cordoba accept MLS Academy opportunities, North with the Portland Timbers and Cordoba with the San Jose Earthquakes. The 17-year-old Owings has competed in soccer since he was in the first grade. His older brother, Cole Owings, played the game for North Medford but Kyle’s dad, Scott, was a devoted baseball player in high school in Medford. Scott has coached his youngest son from the beginning, Kyle says. Kyle used to play basketball and participate in track, but switched exclusively to soccer in high school. Owings’ speed and balance separate him from other forwards around the state, Desmond says. He has recorded three hat tricks this fall, and also has a handful of clutch scores on his resume. “He doesn’t fall down,” Desmond says. “And he’s the fastest, the quickest, with and without the ball on our team. His balance, his explosion with the ball and his agility make him a very special talent.” For those reasons, Desmond has complete trust in Owings. “He has every right to do whatever he wants on the field, position wise, “ Desmond says. “He has earned that respect from his coaches to play where he feels comfortable. We give him a position but he has free range.” Others valuable scorers for South this year have included seniors Diego Rodriguez, Josue Reyes and Eric Peregrina and juniors Jon Peregrina and Hersson Guitron. Owings has also been a major player in the assist category for the Panthers, who went 9-6-1 overall and 5-4-1 in league action last season. “I think we have a chance to go really far into the playoffs,” the 5-foot-5, 130-pound Owings says. Owings plays for the Rogue Valley Timbers’ U18 Adrenaline squad outside of the fall prep season. His dream is to one day play professionally, ideally in Spain. His talents have already taken him to Germany, where he participated with an all-star Oregon squad in a tournament against China, Thailand, Germany and Austria. He made the team his sophomore year after trying out in Portland. Owings expects Tuesday’s tilt between cross-town rival North Medford (4-6-3, 4-3-2) at Spiegelberg Stadium to be a good one. The contest wraps up both club’s SWC seasons. The two squads finished in a 2-2 tie on Sept. 29. “I’m super excited for that,” he says. “It will be intense.” Reach reporter Dan Jones at 541-776-4499, or email [email protected]. Find him online at twitter.com/danjonesmt By Dan Jones Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Dan Jones Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 18, 2015 at 5:54 PM Updated Oct 18, 2015 at 6:34 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction Schedules & Events --> Recent Scores --> Prep Notebook Kris Henry Challengers make it back on top in softball Winning the Southern Cascade League title seemed like a pretty bold goal this spring considering the recent history of the Cascade Christian... Varsity 541 Photos U19 Memorial Day Challenge North Medford vs. Grant State Track & Field 6A-6 SWC District Championships 5A-3 Midwestern League Districts - Day 1 Grants Pass Rotary Invitational » More Photo Galleries Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications | Contact Us | Advertise | © Copyright Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.