Meet the top forwards in Michigan high school boys soccer

These 25 standouts were among the best in the state this season

Michigan high school boys soccer has come to a conclusion in 2023. SBLive has compiled some of the top forwards in the state this season.

The following athletes will be included in our "Who is the top forward in Michigan high school soccer" poll to be posted later today. You will be able to vote for who you think was the best season.

SBLive will publish the top midfielders and defenders later this week.

Top forwards in Michigan high school boys soccer

Devlin McGinnis, junior, Brighton

McGinnis was an all-state first team forward this season after a 24-goal, six-assist season in which he helped lead the Bulldogs to a 15-5-2 record and runner-up finish in the playoffs.

“Devlin is a unique talent in that he is not only skilled on the ball, but also a physical presence and tireless worker,” coach Mark Howell said of the Bulldogs’ “engine.”

McGinnis can man a number of positions across the field, but is normally slotted in at forward due to the danger he poses to other teams, said Howell. 

Joey Spagnoli, senior, Adrian

Spagnoli broke the Maples’ school record for most points in a season with 28 goals and 16 assists this year.

He appeared on all-league, district and region teams and was also named an all-state honorable mention for the offensive spark he provided the 14-8 Maples.

“Joey is an all around player who is always a dangerous scoring threat,” said coach Ted Hanosh. 

Joey Chirco, senior, Utica Eisenhower

Chirco put up 17 goals and seven assists for the Eagles in 2023. He was named third-team all-state as well as all-conference, district and region.

The forward was a team captain for the 14-1-3 Eagles. 

Kyle Webb, senior, Forest Hills Central

A four-year varsity player, Webb scored 13 goals and added 12 assists in 16 games this season, before his season unfortunately ended early due to sickness.

“Kyle's athleticism and speed, along with his superb technical ability created many opportunities for himself and his teammates,” coach Paul Kramer said.

Webb was named all-state second team this season. He is uncommitted, but is fielding interest from Alma, Davenport, and others. 

Noah McGraw, senior, Forest Hills Eastern

McGraw was his team’s offensive MVP in 2023. The striker netted a team-high in goals and also finished top three in assists for coach Edis Maric. 

Alexander Maya, junior, Birch Run

Maya is a two-time first-team all-league forward who has been “the heart of our program” since his freshman year, said coach Casey Johnson.

The team’s top goal scorer, Maya “is one of the best, if not the best, forward in our league and district every year,” Johnson said. “He continues to put in the work to improve himself along with taking on a leadership role his sophomore year to push towards improving the talent around him. He continues to get double or triple covered every time the ball gets close to him because of the threat he is.”

Odis Fickel, junior, Holland

Fickel finished 2023 as an all-state third team member, and a first-team all-conference and district representative.

“Odis is the motor that powered our attack,” coach Greg Ceithaml said. “He is fast, skilled, and dangerous. His decision-making ability helps our team score with consistency.”

Nikolas Simon, junior, Bloomfield Hills

Simon poured in 20 goals and 14 assists as a junior for the Black Hawks. Simon was named to the all-state second team and will return in 2024 to lead Bloomfield Hills. 

Jacob Stone, senior, Fraser

Stone poured in 18 goals to go along with four assists for the Ramblers in 2023. This season, he also set a new school record with 52 career goals, surpassing the previous record-holder by 11.

A four-year varsity starter, Stone was named all-district on three occasions, all-region on two and was a one-time all-state honorable mention.

“Jacob has overcome much adversity,” said coach Michael Agostini, “and has shown why he is a great person and player over his time at Fraser High School.”

Piercen Clark, senior, Ferndale

Clark was an all-district honorable mention after scoring 15 goals and assisting on seven others this season for coach Maisson Fennig.

He led the Eagles to a 7-4-1 finish as a team captain.

Salvatore Thomson, senior, Dearborn Divine Child

A multi-time all-stater, Thomson now holds three school records. He broke the single season goals record, with 26 this season, the career goals record (52) and now holds the career points record (176).

His 2023 season earned him spots on the all-state first team as well as all-conference, district and region and the Dream Team.

Jackson Mindling, senior, Grand Rapids Christian

Mindling scored 28 goals and added nine assists for the Division II state champs. An all-state first teamer and member of the Dream Team, the 6-foot-1 player is a “presence up front or in the midfield,” coach Aric Dershem said.

“Both strong and technical,” Dershem said, “able to beat 2-3 players on the dribble, find a through ball to a fellow attacker or change the point of the attack with either foot. (The) team feeds off his energy.”

Donovan Thomas, senior, Canton

Thomas tallied 10 goals and four assists from the forward position, earning all-state honorable mention, all-conference, district and region nods.

Thomas came back from a dislocated shoulder in the spring season to lead Canton in scoring.

“Donny was a true leader for our team and was accountable for his efforts and performance,” coach Mark Zemanski said. “He pushed his teammates to be the same. One of the best captains we have had in my 20 years as a varsity head coach or assistant.”

Osvaldo Ramirez-Santiago, junior, John Glenn

Ramirez-Santiago notched 24 goals and eight assists as a junior en route to being named all-conference, district and team MVP.

He was moved to forward this season and injected life into the Rockets’ offense, according to coach Kelly Wilson.

“He works hard up top and has great touch on the ball,” Wilson said. “He has smarts and endurance. He is easy to coach and strives to be a leader on the pitch… He is a great kid and a special talent. All the coaches we play against can see it and game plan for him.”

Brody Conlon, junior, East Kentwood

Conlon finished as one of just three juniors to make the Division I all-state first team.

His offense helped the Falcons to a 12-5-1 finish and spot atop their league. 

Aidan Orth, junior, Traverse City West

Orth joined Conlon as a junior member of the all-state first team and an indispensable piece of a Titans team that finished near the top of Division I. 

Sebi Roy, senior, Clarkston

Roy was a key player for Clarkston and he was named to the MHSSCA Division 1 First Team All-State.

Jackson Craft, senior, Rochester Adams

Craft entered the postseason with 12 goals and eight assists, and he was named to the MHSSCA Division 1 First Team All-State.

Garrett Pouget, senior, New Baltimore Anchor Bay

Pouget was named to the MHSSCA Division 1 First Team All-State.

Liam Smith, senior, Muskegon Reeths-Puffer

Smith is a top attacking midfielder/forward. Smith had scored 98 goals, collected 38 assists, another school record, recorded seven hattricks, 234 career points as of October 17, according to michigansoccernetwork.com

Ryker Corstange, junior, Richland Gull Lake

Corstange was named to the Division 2 MHSSCA All-State First team for his performance this season. 

Denin Oglecevac, senior, Riverview

Oglecevac was named to the Division 2 MHSSCA All-State First team for his performance this season.

Claudio Cavallo, senior, Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett 

Cavallo was named to the Division 4 MHSSCA All-State First team for his performance this season.

JP Assenmacher, senior, Dexter

Assenmacher was a captain for Dexter, and he was named to the MHSSCA Division 2 Second Team All-State. 

Lake VanderPloeg, senior, Holland Christian

VanderPloeg was named to the named to the MHSSCA Division 2 First Team All-State.

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Jack Butler contributed to this article.

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