2004 South Soccer Outlook
This
season, the pieces are in place. The
experience (all eleven returning starters), talent, and leadership are in the
South camp. The big concern for Coach
LaGuardia is whether or not the Rebels can take the next step. “We are looking to challenge our boys with a
very difficult schedule”. Matches
against Farragut (defending state champions), E. C. Glass (Virginia
powerhouse), Knox West, and King’s Academy headline a demanding slate. In addition to these matches the team will
face the usually difficult task of navigating through District 1A, where
Science Hill, Dobyns-Bennett, and Tennessee High have set the pace.
“The
logic behind the 2004 schedule is very simple.
In order to compete with the elite in our conference and contend at the
state level, we must test our level of play throughout the campaign.” The Rebels will, however, benefit from
playing at home nine times this spring.
Two of the remaining six matches will be at a neutral site. With four of five conference dates at South,
the Rebels success will lean on how they can defend their home field.
Another
area that concerns Coach LaGuardia is the organization of the defense. “Last season we tended to rely on trying to
outscore the opposition. If we plan on
showing well against this years opposition, we must be able to maintain shape
and discipline in the back and in midfield.”
The
key for the 2004 edition of the Sullivan South Rebels will be in whether or not
the team can take the next step. 2003
should provide the team with both the experience and the confidence to reach
the next level.
In
2003 Sullivan South started five Freshman in the final match of the season, in
addition to three Sophomores! Last year’s
inexperience should lead to a veteran squad in 2004! The Rebels will see the return of 22 varsity
letter-winners.
GOALKEEPERS
South
has two tested keepers to anchor the back line.
Tyler Cole returns after starting all sixteen matches in 2003. Cole will be challenged to stay at the top of
his game by Joey Wood. Wood appeared in
five Varsity matches in 2003 and anchored a Junior Varsity defense that
recorded a 10-1-3 campaign. Aaron
Whetsel also returns with JV experience from last season. Newcomer Ben Graves could also push for
minutes between the pipes.
“We
are in a great position in goal. Tyler
has the experience needed to organize our back line and make the difficult
stops. Wood provides us with another keeper
that can step in without missing a beat.”
The group as a whole presents Sullivan South with one of the deepest
groups net-minders in school history.
DEFENDERS
A
strong area for the Rebels is the back line.
The group is anchored by returning starters Ben Dykes and Matt
Dunn. Stephen Harpula and Bobby Acero
will also work from the back. “Acero and
Harpula give us dangerous threats from the defense. They both have the ability to get forward and
join the attack. Their touch and pace
make them very difficult to account for as they work up field.”
The
defense also sees depth from a number of returning players. Alex Souder, Justin Willingham, and Stephen
Fuchs have the ability to step in and start.
Newcomers Matt Gott and Matt Jaynes should also push for time in the
back line.
“We
are aiming to change the attitude in our back line. We were very young last year, and it cost us
a critical moments. By adding Stephen
Harpula to the unit and with the increased level of play of Stephen Fuchs and
Alex Souder we should be able to field a
defense with improved attitude and focus.
The key for this group is going to be in finding the unit that provides
the most chemistry on the pitch.”
MIDFIELDERS
The
midfield returns a strong group of players as well. Despite moving Harpula to the defense, this
unit has great depth. Sophomore Michael
Fuchs will spearhead the group. Fuchs
recorded 17 points during his Freshman season (7 goals). Vladimir Prokhnevskiy will take on a greater
playmaking role this year. Vladimir
tallied 8 assists during his Sophomore season and possesses excellent vision
and awareness. Senior Steve Starnes,
sidelined by a broken foot for the end of the 2003 season, should add another
player with pace in the center of the pitch.
Starnes is a hard tackler with the ability to read the game well.
Sergey
Prokhnevskiy should also see increased play time due to his efforts to polish
his touch and overall technical game.
Sophomores Justin Willingham and Alex Souder could also push in to a
midfield role.
Sam
Nolen and a number of young players have also thrown themselves in to the mix
after a strong showing during off-season conditioning.
“Midfield
is a difficult role to play on our team.
We believe in pushing the pace for 80 minutes! This requires our midfield to set the tempo
by providing immediate pressure, recovering to compact at our penalty area, and
finishing their runs (in to the opponents area).”
FORWARDS
The
front line is the heart of the South team.
Brandon Willingham and Alec Strickland return for their Senior season
after combining for 30 goals and 13 assists in 2003. Willingham finished as the leading scorer in
the region and garnered all-state honors.
These two will be expected to finish at a similar pace in 2004.
The
addition of Bobby Austin to the front line should create an immediate
impact. Austin finished fourth on the
2003 squad in scoring as a Freshman playing in the midfield. He will be expected to increase on his twelve
points from a year ago as he pushes forward.
Sophomore Ryan Griffith recorded
5 assists during his initial campaign.
He also added eleven goals for the Junior Varsity squad. Griffith’s development in 2003 should lead to
a greater role this season. Andrew Jones
could push for time as well. The
incoming Freshman class should bolster the depth of this group.
“Our
forwards allow us to play a very attractive attacking style. We have a number of players that can step in
without missing a beat! This unit will
be called on to do more in 2004. We need
more than goals from these players…we need leadership-by word and example.”