By Ken Jackson
Sports Writer

Harmony soccer teammates Kaylee Horn and Payton Leffew will remain together for at least two more years, as they have signed to play at South Georgia College in Douglas, Ga.

Horn, the goalkeeper, and Leffew, a midfielder/forward, said that the prospect of playing time steered them to sign with the Georgia Junior College Athletic Association school coached by Ken Kirsch.

“I know I’ll get the opportunity to earn the (starting goalie) job,” Horn said. “I was interested in a four-year school, but when I visited I knew it was the perfect fit. The town is small, just like St. Cloud.”

After a couple of scholarship offers from in-state schools like the University of Tampa, she was turned on to the Tigers’ program after Assistant Coach Larry Butler approached her at one of her Florida Soccer Alliance club games.

Leffew chose SGC after Florida Gulf Coast University, which she verbally committed to as a junior, chose not to offer scholarship money to incoming freshmen.

“It was very disappointing because I’d stopped contacting schools,” she said. “When Kaylee visited, they asked her if she knew any uncommitted seniors. She got me in contact with the coach, I visited and I liked it, so I pursued it. They’ve told me I’ll likely be a starter.”

Leffew, who scored nine goals and three assists for the state tournament-qualifying Longhorns this year as a midfielder, will be returning to her more familiar spot as a forward at SGC.

“The coaches liked my speed, ball control and aggressive attacking,” she said.

Horn was responsible for 14 shutouts during the Longhorns’ 17-2 season, and only three opponents — Eustis, 6A state runner-up Vero Beach, and Steinbrenner, who beat Harmony, 1-0, in the 4A state semifinals, scored on them. The Longhorns gave up a total of five goals.

In some of those games she did little herself in the way of saved shots, but her active, vocal style helped put the defense in front of her in position to make plays — so she didn’t have to.

HHS Coach Stephanie Jones said that making the team her own and being like another coach for the defense became a strength for the team as it won district and regional titles for the first time.

“Kaylee put her mind to it that this is what she’s wanted,” Jones said. She matured this past year from a mental standpoint, and guided and directed the team this year.”

Jones beefed up the schedule this year with playoff opponents like Lake Highland, West Shore and Melbourne Central Catholic, testing Horn and her teammates.

“I had my moments. Vero Beach, Eustis, the state tournament and the bigger schools we played tested me. As a keeper there’s always times when players and teams are going to challenge you,” Horn said. “It was a great season, a great way to close the book on my career here.”

Jones said that replacing Horn in goal will be difficult.

“She’s the most naturally-gifted athlete I’ve coached. She put in the time this year to improve her game, in the air, on the ground and on one-on-one balls,” she said. “I’m proud of her and all my seniors.”

Jones also said her transition to the college game should be fairly seamless.

“She’ll be ready for the training. At that level, a goalkeeper has to keep their head in the game more, but Kaylee’s still just scratching the surface of how good she can be,” she said.

Jones said that SGC is getting a playmaker in Leffew.

“She has phenomenal individual skill. When you’re watching her team, she’s the one you watch,” she said. “Her strike improved greatly this year.”

An intense work ethic will serve Leffew well at the next level, Jones said.

“She will work hard and has that greater intensity for the next level,” she said. “When I started working with her in her freshman year, Payton’s constant goal was to play in college.

“I can’t say enough about how hard they’ve both worked for this, and now accomplished it. It’s great that they will be able to support each other in this next step.”