The Wildcats will have quite a delegation in Orlando at the High School All-American Game on December 7.

For the eighth straight season, Wildcats' head coach Mike McLaughlin will be a coach in the game. This season, he's taking two of his players to Orlando with him – Matthew McLaughlin and Kyle Folds.

The All-American game will feature top players from across the country who play soccer in the fall. The annual game is always filled with star power, and this year's contest will be no different.

Ohio will be well-represented in the game, with five players from the Buckeye State. Many of the players in this game also played in the Allstate All-America Cup in late July. McLaughlin, Folds, and Peter Van Euwen repped the Wildcats in that all-star match. 

"It's a neat honor for the boys and a wonderful honor for the school," said Coach McLaughlin. "Kyle and Matthew have worked really hard. It's nice for them to be on the national stage. There are a fair number of kids who also played in the Allstate All-American game, so they've gotten to know each other from that experience. The chance to play with other high-level players from around the country is a wonderful opportunity."

The preseason hype was not misplaced with McLaughlin and Folds. The two exceptional midfielders have enjoyed outstanding senior campaigns.

McLaughlin joined an elite group of Wildcats by surpassing 50 goals and 50 assists for his career. His name will soon be enshrined on the soccer record board, too. McLaughlin now holds the career assist record, surpassing the previous mark of 41 set by Mark Blades '06. On the season, the Notre Dame commit has 16 and 12 assists.

Folds has not set any records this year, but his feats are no less impressive. The Indiana commit has showcased his physicality and athleticism all season in several spots across the field. Folds can play just about any position with his special foot skills and his impressive strength. On the year, Folds has recorded 8 goals and 4 assists. 

"Both are having great years. We're lucky to have talented players," said Coach McLaughlin. The truth is that as you go through a season, it's hard to consistently be at your top every game. Between Kyle, Matthew, and several other players on the team, at different stages and different games, different guys have carried the team and made a real impact. We're really lucky to have so many impact players. Kyle and Matthew have been critical to our undefeated season. And also, they both have a humility to them that none of this happens without the guys around them."  

Folds and McLaughlin both enjoyed the experience the last time around, and this game will likely be fun, too.

Plus, it's hard to pass up a chance to travel to Florida in December. 

"I'm really excited. It will be a high-level game," said Matthew McLaughlin. "It will be nice to get to Florida in December. It'll be great, because I'll be playing with many of the kids I met in Florida over the summer. We've played a couple of them this season, and we'll get to see them again, which will be fun. And it'll be awesome to go with Kyle again."