For a freshman to have gotten consistent playing time in the Montgomery program would have been impressive enough. But to have a season-long impact, including a key goal in the CIF NorCal Division I title game win over Jesuit? That left little doubt to the potential surrounding Drayden Ponte.

“We didn’t necessarily anticipate he would be a starter, but we were excited to have his ability on the field," said Montgomery coach Jon Schwan. “But then it became that we needed to have him out there as much as possible. Physically, he was ready from day one.”

Indeed, Ponte wasted little time establishing himself as a marquee scorer, even while playing on the section’s best team. With his team rolling opponents to start the season, he began to find the back of the net when the Vikings throttled eventual playoff team California-San Ramon. Ponte then added another goal in Montgomery’s next match, an eye-opening 5-2 win over Vintage-Napa. On a front line which included Player of the Year Zack Batchelder, Ponte continued to make a bigger impact as the season progressed.

“Flat out, the kid is a goal-scorer. He can create, and we always knew he could score,” Schwan said. “But his ability to make the last pass and set up other goals sort of caught us by surprise.”

As the year continued, Ponte continued to find different ways to attack the opposition, registering three assists in a win over Elsie Allen and then notching his first brace of the season in a win over rival Santa Rosa. He added another brace in a victory over Windsor, and then in a game which Schwan described as the team’s most lackadaisical effort, it was Ponte who notched the only goal in a 1-1 tie with Rancho Cotate, the only minor blemish on an otherwise perfect season for the Vikings.

“Drayden plays with an edge and with a ton of confidence,” Schwan added. “He did not back down one bit to any of our opponents.”

Instead of backing down as the playoffs commenced, Ponte took things to another level. He registered assists in playoff wins over Foothill and Monte Vista, and played a primary role in the attack when Montgomery defeated Berkeley, 3-2, for the NCS Division I title. From there, it was on to the CIF NorCal Division I playoffs, and after adding a goal and an assist during a dominant 6-0 win over Tokay-Lodi, Ponte found the back of the net yet again during the Vikings’ 3-1 championship match win over Sac-Joaquin Section Division I champion Jesuit-Carmichael.

For the season, Ponte finished with 14 goals and 13 assists. His goal totals are almost certain to rise next season with the departure of Batchelder and Kevin Welch, both of whom will play at UC Davis next year. Meanwhile, Schwan envisions a solid transition for Ponte, as he goes from talented rookie to proven veteran and team leader.

“He has proven what he can do,” Schwan said. “Now we expect he can move into the center-forward position and keep up going at the highest level. He will have even bigger opportunities moving forward.”

For his efforts this past season, we are pleased to recognize Drayden Ponte as the Prep2Prep North Coast Section Freshman of the Year.

Other players considered for this award include Antioch’s Alvaro Picon, Terra Linda’s Roan Goertz and Windsor’s Adrian Lopez.

NOTE: We would like to thank our media partners, coaches, parents, players and fans for contributing photos for our all-section features. We salute all of the players that have made this a wonderful season of NCS soccer.