The Class of 2026 at Johnston High School has won plenty. In the spring, it’s the boys soccer team’s turn, winners of two of the last three state titles.
JOHNSTON, Iowa — Everyone knows about the Johnston girls basketball dynasty. It’s no secret. For the last 80 or so games, all the Dragons have done is win. On the boys’ side, they almost shocked the state, putting Cedar Falls on the ropes in the Class 4A Finals.
Now that spring has sprung, it’s the rise of the Dragons — again. This time, it comes on the pitch.
Johnston boys soccer has done nothing but be a dominant force over the past three seasons. It’s nothing new, says senior midfielder and Drake commit Cael Leach.
“So many players have come through here, and the same story every year,” Leach said. “Making the final has just been sweet.”
Winning in the final, though, is sweeter. Johnston did it in 2023 and 2024; however, they lost to Valley in 2025.
“[It’s] such an honor just to play for a program like this,” said Max Aliano, senior defender and Western Illinois commit. “The environment that my teammates, the coaches, it’s just like just also nice.”
Aliano and Leach are the Dragons’ dynamic duo, leading the Dragons to the final year in and year out. But it’s a final, the seniors haven’t gotten their fair share.
“Last year, I didn’t play in the state final. I got hurt in the semifinal. I got a concussion ball right to the head,” Leach said, who was unconscious for “ten minutes.” “That was a special team and I played with those guys for awhile. It really hurt not to be able to play in the final.”
Leach’s absence led to a 3-0 loss to the Tigers last June. Aliano never got to suit up in the 2024 final, playing through a torn labrum his sophomore season.
“Played through the injury for a while, and then it got to a point where I can’t really play through it anymore,” Aliano said. “So I mean it really sucked. I had to watch on the sidelines.”
Come out to a Johnston practice now, and you’ll learn quickly that it’s a senior class motivated by their wounds. Dragons head coach Jimmy Frizzell, who once suited up for the Dragons, is pleased with how his seniors are positively motivated for what’s to come in 2026, following a disappointing 2025.
“You gotta overcome some adversity,” Frizzell said. “Their hunger, their drive, their [connectivity]… It’s been a lot of fun. We don’t want to waste today.”
Speaking of “today,” the Dragons are 4-0 at the moment, outscoring their opponents, 11-1. Johnston faces Ankeny on Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m., hoping to continue a successful start to 2026.