By Loyd McIntosh
The Homewood boys soccer team ended the final week of the regular season as one of the hottest teams in 6A. As they head into the playoffs, the Patriots sport a 17-2-2 record and completely dominated their lackluster competition in 6A Area 9 play (more on that later).
Currently ranked No. 2 in the state by the Alabama High School Coaches Poll (AHSCP), the Patriots are having one of their best seasons in recent history, including the state championship campaigns of 2021 and 2024. Still, a deep run in the Alabama High School Athletics Association (AHSAA) tournament is anything but guaranteed with some of the best teams in the state within a stone’s throw of Homewood.
“In the metro area, anyone can beat anyone on a given day,” says Homewood head soccer coach Julian Kersh. “The scores reflect that—you can’t make sense of the results because the level is so high. If you’re not on your game, you’re going to get beat.” He’s specifically referring to the teams in Area 10, the “group of death” of Pelham, Chelsea, Spain Park and Briarwood, all among the elite in 6A soccer. Area 10 is so cutthroat that Chelsea, last year’s AHSAA state title runner-up and a 13-win team in 2026, might not make the playoffs at all.
On the other hand, Homewood beat all its area competition by a score of 10-0, which activates the mercy rule in high school soccer. In their last area game against Parker on April 15, the Patriots were up 5-0 before you could unwrap your concession stand hot dog and had their 10-goal lead with 15 minutes left to play in the first half. While such domination guarantees Homewood will make the playoffs, Kersh says the lack of competition is a double-edged sword, “It’s a different challenge staying focused when you know some games won’t push you as much. We try to be at our best no matter the opponent because right after those games we’re facing top-level competition again.”
That being said, the Patriots have played and beaten many top-level teams in 2026. They handled Pelham, currently ranked No. 1 in the AHSCP, and Auburn to open the season and took care of No. 7 Gulf Shores en route to capturing the 2026 Island Cup Soccer Tournament, an annual mid-season tournament held each March in Gulf Shores.
The team’s only losses have come to Northridge in the last game of the regular season and 7A powerhouse Vestavia Hills, 5-1, in their first game following spring break. Kersh says those losses, especially the Vestavia loss, can serve as a wake-up call, motivating the team to work harder, and he believes this Patriots squad is built to handle any challenge.
“Sometimes taking a loss like that before the playoffs can keep you grounded,” says Kersh. “It reminds us we’re not invincible and that there are a lot of good teams out there. As for us, I don’t think we’re a team others look forward to playing. We fit right in with the competitive teams, whether it’s 6A or 7A. 6A, especially, is brutal. It might even be harder than 7A because it’s so balanced. Everyone has their moment.”
Homewood is anchored by a steady defensive core that has become the backbone of the 2026 Patriots. Among them is Jeff Giffin, a senior who has elevated his game with a new level of consistency and composure, providing a calming presence for the defense in high-pressure moments. “Jeff has been with us for three years. He’s always been a good player, but he used to have hot and cold streaks,” Kersh says. “This year, his senior season, he’s found consistency. He’s calm in big moments and playing at a whole new level, raising his own standard from previous years.”
Alongside him, sophomore Eli Malki has made an immediate impact on varsity, bringing energy, physicality and a surprising level of leadership. And Brooks Harwell, a veteran defender who was nearly unanimously selected by his teammates for team captain, “which tells you everything about his leadership,” says Kersh.
With the regular season behind them, Kersh says the team heads into the playoffs with great team chemistry and a belief that when everything is clicking, they stand heads and shoulders above their competition. Still, Kersh knows they have their work cut out for them if they are going to bring the championship trophy back to Homewood.
“I like the way we’re playing. On our day, we’re very good. It’s just about consistency over a long season,” Kersh adds. “It’s a great group of guys. We had a great trip to the beach for the Islands Cup; good soccer and great bonding time. We’re happy with where we are, but there’s still a lot ahead.”
