Johnston Boys Soccer Seniors Seek Redemption in Final Season

The Class of 2026 at Johnston High School aims to cap off their high school careers with a state championship after heartbreaking losses in previous title games.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 4:52am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a high-energy boys soccer match, with the players and ball represented through sharp, overlapping shapes in a vibrant color scheme, capturing the intensity and determination of the game.The Johnston High School boys soccer team's senior class is poised to lead the Dragons to state championship glory, driven by the pain of past title game defeats.Johnston Today

The Johnston High School boys soccer team, led by a talented senior class, is poised to make a run at the state championship in 2026 after falling short in the finals the past two seasons. Seniors Cael Leach and Max Aliano, both Division I commits, are determined to end their high school careers on a high note and lead the Dragons to their third state title in four years.

Why it matters

Johnston's boys soccer program has established itself as a perennial powerhouse, winning two of the last three state championships. The senior class, which has experienced both the thrill of winning titles and the agony of losing in the finals, is highly motivated to cement their legacy and bring home another championship for the school.

The details

The Johnston High School boys soccer team, led by head coach Jimmy Frizzell, is led by a talented senior class that has experienced both the highs and lows of the program. Seniors Cael Leach, a Drake commit, and Max Aliano, a Western Illinois commit, have been instrumental in the team's success, but both have also faced heartbreaking setbacks in previous championship runs. Leach missed the 2025 state final due to a concussion, while Aliano played through a torn labrum as a sophomore, unable to suit up for the 2024 championship game.

  • Johnston won the state championship in 2023 and 2024.
  • The Dragons lost in the 2025 state final to Valley High School.
  • The 2026 season will be the final high school campaign for the senior-laden Johnston squad.

The players

Cael Leach

A senior midfielder and Drake commit who has been a key contributor to Johnston's success over the past three seasons.

Max Aliano

A senior defender and Western Illinois commit who has played through injuries to help lead the Dragons to the state finals.

Jimmy Frizzell

The head coach of the Johnston boys soccer team, who once suited up for the Dragons as a player.

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What they’re saying

“So many players have come through here, and the same story every year. Making the final has just been sweet.”

— Cael Leach, Senior Midfielder

“Such an honor just to play for a program like this. The environment that my teammates, the coaches, it's just like just also nice.”

— Max Aliano, Senior Defender

“You gotta overcome some adversity. Their hunger, their drive, their [connectivity]... It's been a lot of fun. We don't want to waste today.”

— Jimmy Frizzell, Head Coach

What’s next

The Johnston boys soccer team will begin their quest for the 2026 state championship when the season kicks off in the spring.

The takeaway

The Johnston High School boys soccer team's senior class is determined to end their high school careers on a high note, fueled by the disappointment of falling short in previous championship runs. Their hunger and drive to win it all in 2026 could propel the Dragons to their third state title in four years.