The Putnam County boys soccer team is off to a scorching start in 2026.
The War Eagles entered this week with an 8-0 record, earning the No. 1 spot in Class A Division I, according to Scorbord.com. They’ve overwhelmed opponents, outscoring them 31-11 through eight games.
“We are playing well at the start of the season,” Putnam County boys head coach Michael Taylor said. “The boys are all in at practice, and they really work so well together. Being ranked No. 1 brings focus and energy as we prepare for each game.”
The War Eagles opened the season with a 4-3 win over Franklin County, followed by a 9-4 rout of Prince Avenue Christian. A narrow 2-1 victory over Baldwin was followed by a 7-1 win over Alcovy, setting the stage for region play.
League competition has been tougher, but Putnam County has met the challenge. The War Eagles shut out No. 7 Jasper County 2-0 and posted 2-1 victories over Lamar County and Social Circle. Their most intense matchup came against Towers, requiring a tense penalty-kick shootout to secure the win.
Junior midfielder Edwin Garcia has led the offense, scoring a team-high eight goals while adding two assists. Seniors Jared Arreola and Reynaldo Espinoza rank second and third in goals scored. Arreola also leads the team with seven assists, followed by Espinoza and fellow senior Angel Sanchez, who each have five.
Defensively, the team leans on the experience of seniors Dennis Sanchez and Chris Chavez. With strong leadership and junior goalkeeper Jared Mejia’s steady play, Putnam County has limited opponents’ scoring chances, pairing its offensive firepower with a reliable defense.
With momentum on their side, the War Eagles continued region play this week on the road against Utopian Academy, past press time. They return home Friday for a highly anticipated rematch against Jasper County, looking to defend their top ranking and extend their perfect start.