by Aubrey Cummings

Pushing themselves as hard as they can for the 80 minutes that the match lasts. Heads up and hearts pounding every touch of the ball sends it moving across the field. With a shared goal, getting the ball into the net, the team moves as a unit across the field.

Ranked 36th in the state and 27th in their class, the varsity boys’ soccer team is moving along in their season. 

Currently they are 12-3-1 and are second in the Hoosier Hills Conference for varsity and are 7-5-2 for JV.  As the end of their season begins to approach for both teams they all begin to prepare for sectionals, with a normal goal of wanting to win sectionals and advance to regionals.

Head varsity coach Collin Bell explained, “It’s all about the game that is happening.  One game at a time, one set of 80 minutes. If we push ourselves for those 80 minutes and commit ourselves for those 80 minutes, we will be successful.”

This was shown in their game against Franklin this year. The team had many teams cut from their schedule and many new ones added. They have faced tougher teams than they normally would.  They do this to better themselves and to allow for them to be better prepared for the competition at the end.

“It’s all about the game that is happening.  One game at a time, one set of 80 minutes. If we push ourselves for those 80 minutes and commit ourselves for those 80 minutes, we will be successful.”

Head Coach Collin Bell

“I think it’s a great change because it allows for us to adjust to playing new teams that we haven’t seen before, so it is a good way for us to test ourselves against teams that are considered better teams,“ said junior Alan Solorzano Lopez.

The varsity team isn’t the only one beginning to prepare for sectionals.  Six of the JV members have the opportunity to go with the varsity boys to the sectional games.

“Knowing there’s a chance for us to go with the varsity team to sectionals encourages us on JV to push ourselves harder to show we are the best to try and claim our spots,” stated freshman JV member Dominic Cummings.

Doing this allows for younger boys to know what they may have the chance to experience in the near future.  This allows for the program to continue to grow.  The future also depends on some of the varsity boys as well as the JV.

“The pressure feels greater not just because I am a goalie, but also because I am a freshman, so I am representing more than just my varsity team but also my classmates on JV,” said varsity freshman Jafet Benitez-Rubio.

Benitez-Rubio is not just on the varsity team; he is the starter goalie as a freshman.  This is significant every, and everyone knows it.  The student section in games makes sure everyone knows by cheering “He’s a freshman” whenever he stops a ball from going in.

The team’s spirits are high as ever.  The team feels confident and are preparing to have a different outcome than last year where they lost in the final round to Seymour.

The Red Devils play Jennings County next Monday in the opening round of sectionals at Floyd Central High School at 7 p.m.