Red Devils win first Sectional championship since 2012 by defeating Bedford North Lawrence 5-0
Boys’ soccer wins sectional tournament, heads to regional tonight to face Evansville North
Category: Soccer
Boys’ soccer prepares for sectional
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.
New Albany defeats JHS 5-0 last night
Girls’ soccer defeats Columbus East 4-1
All photos by Malachi Conrad.
Girls’ soccer Red Devils defeat Charlestown 5-1 Wednesday; will play Columbus East and New Albany next week
Magdalene Conrad.
JHS defeats Jennings County, falls to Male High School; will play Bedford-North Lawrence this Saturday
by Parker McCloskey
As they prepare to face Southern Indiana rival Bedford-North Lawrence this Saturday, the Jeffersonville Red Devils come off a 7-0 win against Jennings County last weekend, and a tough 3-2 loss against the Male High School Bulldogs on Tuesday night.
The first half of last night’s Male game resulted in no points scored on either team. The second half started out with a goal for Jeff, scored by junior Alan Soloranzo Lopez, then a second goal for Jeff scored by junior halfback Bryan Juarez De La Luz.
“I think the team could’ve been more active; during the second half we could’ve shown more energy and fighting spirit against Male,” said Juarez.
The team is optimistic about Saturday’s game against BNL.
“We’re going to have a good time. This team is different from other Jeff teams in the past; we’re going to learn from our mistakes and hopefully take home a victory against BNL, ” said Juarez.
Jeff still remains in second place in the Hoosier Hills Conference with a 3-1 HHC record and a 8-3-1 overall record. This Saturday the Devils travel to Bedford-North Lawrence to face off against the Stars.
All photos by Parker McCloskey and Malachi Conrad.
Junior Scarlett McRae succeeds in soccer and in wrestling
by Aubrey Cummings
Coming from a family of soccer players, the sport has always been a big part of Scarlett McRae’s life. McRae, a junior at Jeff High, has been playing soccer for almost 10 years now.
“If I had to pick one person that has inspired me the most when it comes to soccer, I would have to say my dad. Not only has he taught me about soccer my whole life, but he is also there after games to give me feedback, good and bad,” said McRae.
In her three years on the Jeff High girls’ soccer team, McRae has had many accomplishments. Her freshman year she was awarded with The Rookie of the Year award. Halfway through her sophomore year she set a record for the most goals scored for the girls´ team and will continue on to add to that record this year.
Earning these accomplishments has put a lot of pressure on McRae to keep being the one of the best. This pressure has taken a toll on her confidence in her abilities. In order to overcome her lack of confidence before games she said, “I pray before games and then just go with the flow, remembering that it’s okay to make mistakes and that I don’t have to be perfect.”
McRae isn’t just a part of the Jeff soccer team, but also the Racing Louisville Academy team. It’s a great opportunity to get her name out there and to be seen by colleges and professional teams.
After high school McRae plans to go to college for sports physiology. She also wants to play for her college team and eventually for a professional team.
“She makes me want to keep getting better so I can improve and beat her but not in a super competitive way but in the way that we both want to make the team the best it can be,” stated Junior Abi Lemon, a teammate of McRae’s on the field and the mat.
Though soccer is her main sport, McRae is also a part of the girls´ wrestling team. She started her freshman year when Sian Rogers, a senior on the soccer and wrestling team, convinced her to give it a try, telling her it would help her at soccer.
After a week of wrestling she decided it wasn’t for her but she still wanted to be involved, deciding to be a manager instead. By doing this she was allowed at the practices and meets. As time passed she realized how much fun her friends were having and decided to rejoin towards the end of that season. That year she made it to Semi-state with her team before ending the season. She then chose to come back the following year to continue to improve.
Wrestling coach Danny Struck described McRae as a driven and dedicated player.
“When given the opportunity Scarlett is always open to improving; she keeps her eye on her goals and does the things that make her and her team better,” he said.
McRae said competing in both sports has helped her compete on the soccer field and on the wrestling mat.
“Soccer allowed for me to have better and quicker foot work in wrestling that most girls didn’t have, and wrestling taught me how to not get pushed off the ball as easily and stand my ground in soccer.”
McRae has been described as a leader in everything she does. She strives to be the best person she can be and to help whoever she can. She looks forward to trying to beat Floyd Central and New Albany, along with helping her teammates score more this soccer season.
Going into wrestling later this year, she wants to win as many matches as she can and make it to state.
“Coming into both seasons I am excited to win,” McRae explained. “Also to help my teammates succeed and to see how far we can go.”
Red Devils defeat North Harrison 5-0
All photos by Malachi Conrad.
Jeff soccer defeats Providence with a 4-0 victory
All photos by Magdalene Conrad and Parker McCloskey.
JV soccer team works together to strengthen skills
by Isabella Wemes
Junior varsity girls’ soccer coach Phoebe Bauer Watson meets with the junior varsity athletes to explain what drill they will do first. “We are sharpening our dribbling skills and one-on-ones,” said Watson.
To Watson, the athletes have worked hard and put in much effort.
“We have improved on defending, dribbling, and passing with each other to make a shot.”
From these drills at practice, the athletes feel they have improved at their positions.
Freshman Ivy Romine-Wykoff said, “The drills have helped me find my strengths, which are blocking somebody and passing.” Romine-Wykoff plays left defense.
Sophomore Zoey Johnson plays full back and center midfield. She, too, thinks that the drills have helped her improve. “The drills are fun and have helped me better my ball control and have a good pace.”
With the efforts of the athletes working together and becoming better at their positions, comes with how they stay fit during the off-season.
Romine-Wykoff stayed fit by doing basic core training, running on the treadmill, and weight training. Johnson stayed fit by playing soccer year-round.
With this, the athletes feel like the season is going well, even though they haven’t won a game yet.
“I think the team has been hard-working, and the season will go up from where it’s at,” said Romine-Wykoff.
“I think we’re doing pretty good and are on track to do sectionals,” said Johnson.
The athletes’ goals also play a big part in getting them to where they are or want to be.
“I’d like to improve on basic skills, build up my endurance, and play different positions on the field,” said Romine-Wykoff.
“I want to score a goal on varsity,” said Johnson.
Overall the team thinks they are doing well. Since the end of the season is approaching they are trying their hardest to win a match.
The varsity Red Devils begin sectional play next week.
Girls’ soccer carries optimism into sectional play
by Sarah Jacobs
After warming up, the girls’ soccer players are split into teams to play a game of keep away. They practice their passes during a heated game. Head coach Julie Deuser advises the girls as they play.
“I think the soccer department is really going in the right direction,” said senior Jovie Golko as she reflected on her years playing soccer at JHS. She cited the new coach as a key factor as to why she is feeling optimistic about the current season.
Deuser has a history with coaching soccer, having coached and played during her college years.
“I want to have a winning season and build the team back up,” Deuser said. She believes the team has a strong core group who are familiar with one another.
Sophomore Zoe Johnson cited the team’s positive attitude as a key strength. “I think our defense is our strongest point,” said defensive player Golko.
Strong as the team may be, it’s not perfect. “We really need more girls to come out and play,” Deuser said.
Golko and Johnson believe the team’s ability to get control of the ball is its greatest weakness. If they can’t take control of the ball, it becomes harder to get scoring opportunities.
Training drills help improve these skills, though. The team trains in a variety of ways during the off season. The entire team does conditioning, but individual players have more variety in their routine. Johnson and Golko play indoor soccer separate from the school. Junior Aubrey Cummings does wrestling.
Johnson, Golko, and Cummings said their goal for the team this season is to win sectionals. With a unified goal in mind, the team, joined by their new coach, is working hard this season to achieve that win.
Soccer sectionals begin next week.
Coaches share backgrounds, goals for their teams
by Ifrah Daber
With a new school year starting and seasons kicking off, many teams and coaches prepare for a year filled with hopeful achievements and golden medals. Through intense practice and hours of dedication that are put into these sports, student-athletes bring pride to JHS.
However, one must remember the coaches who built these players into the athletes they are today. A spotlight on several fall sport coaches reveals their backgrounds, interests, and goals for their Red Devil teams.
Girls’ Soccer Coach Julie Deuser
Coach Deuser is a new addition to the JHS athletic team, taking over for former soccer coach Kallee Thornton. With big shoes to fill, Deuser has come in with a strong sense of determination. She has a long history of coaching at many different schools and playing for several more herself. For example, she coached at New Albany and led her team to the IHSAA Sectional Championship in 2012.
But now, she has big goals for the JHS girls’ soccer team.
“My biggest goal for this team is to see the girls grow and learn the game. I want this team to be competitive and respected in the area. We want girls to want to come to Jeffersonville to play soccer. The program is going to be transforming over the next few years. Long term, we want to win games and championships.”
“I think she’s going to take the soccer program in a positive direction,” senior and varsity player Jovie Golko. She has been playing soccer for all four years of high school and has vocalized her faith in her new coach’s ability to lead her and the rest of the team.
Head Co-ed Swim Coach Michael Pepa
Pepa is a face many students recognize from his teaching College and Careers for many freshman classes, but he is also the head coach for the JHS award-winning swim team.
Pepa had been a swimmer for many years before he was known for his coaching abilities. He started swimming in high school and he, like many, wasn’t the best when he first started. But after swimming through high school to college, he eventually became a record-holder in his sport.
With his 30 years of experience, Pepa passes wisdom onto his students. He pushes an idea of personal best, wanting each student to reach their potential.
“I love Pepa; He’s an amazing coach who built me into the swimmer I am today,” stated Romier Hunter-Lawrence, a senior swim team member.
But even after 30 years Pepa has more plans and hopes for the new year, from strong talent new and old, and the addition of a new pool in the coming months. There is much to look forward to for the swim team in the coming years.
Volleyball Coach Wesly Briscoe
Originally Briscoe had no plans for becoming the coach we all know him as today. He originally wanted to do more of a journalistic view of sports. He was the news and sports editor when he attended Floyd Central High School. He even did radio and TV. It was when he went off and became a student at UofL, sitting around one day, when his mother gave him an offer to coach volleyball.
During the first few years of this new volleyball coaching career, Briscoe walked with a “chip on his shoulder.” He said he was coaching out of spite, but he learned to change his mentality.
His new values as a coach are that coaches should lead by example. They should strive for personal growth and push the students to be the best they can be.
“You could train like a tiger in the jungle or train like a tiger in the zoo” is one of Briscoe’s mantras about pushing himself and his students to train to be the best version.
This mantra is one any student should remember if they want to join the volleyball team in the near future. As Briscoe also shared, volleyball is not an easy sport to just pick up – it will take time and practice but the results will lead the athlete to find improvement and self-pride.
Assistant Wrestling Coach Evan Myers
Myers has been coaching at JHS his entire coaching career and similar to a past coach on the list, Myers didn’t originally plan on being a coach. He was interested in journalism, which led him to become an English teacher. Since he wrestled while in high school, along with a strong love for teaching, he took an opportunity to be a JHS wrestling coach when he heard that the position was available.
Myers said that personal responsibility is a key part of wrestling.. Unlike many other sports where athletes are surrounded by teammates on a field or court, wrestling has only the athlete and the opponent on the mat. This means each wrestler must carry the win or loss on his or her shoulders.
He added that the sport requires a lot of tough training from the strength that is required to pin another wrestler, which adds physical stress to the body.
However, this training can pay off, for example, for JHS senior Ben Land, who competed at National Tournaments, as well as for other wrestlers on the team.
“Great pain comes with great reward,” Myers said, believing that the best way to succeed is to work for it, as many of his students have done and have received the benefits.
Myers’s love for teaching, his students, and the sport drive him every year to push and grow the team. He has much hope for the upcoming year and for all the talent new and old that are in the team.
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