The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1279811
The Press-Dispatch Fall Sports Preview Wednesday, August 19, 2020 D-3 GO CHARGERS! Willis & Company, p.C. CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS & CONSULTANTS Gregory K. Willis, CPA Carla D. Willis, CPA 705 MAIN ST., PETERSBURG (812) 354-6274 FAx: (812) 354-6974 Members American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Indiana CPA Society Young talent for 2020's Charger soccer season By Kenzie Rudolph Jacob Western has a long history as a Charger and is back as the head coach for the high school boys' squad for the third year in a row. Be- fore taking over as the head, he was an assistant for three years before that. Western graduated from Pike Central himself in 2013 and now he is a teacher's assistant in 8th grade. He is proud of the success he has been able to help bring to the program over the past few years. "In the six years that I have been a part of the high school soccer program, we have had a lot of success, each year hav- ing at least ten wins. We have also won a sectional and a con- ference championship," ex- plained Western. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused practices to look much different at PCHS. Western said, "Some of the changes we have made in prac- tice are splitting up into three different groups that don't in- teract unless we are scrim- maging against each other. We are also really focusing on the before and after practice portion, trying to keep every- one socially distanced when not on the field." Despite all of the challeng- es that have been thrown his way, Western thinks this past summer has been one of the best ones he has ever had as a coach. He added that the kids are working hard and appreci- ating their time together play- ing soccer. Western's full team consists of 28 players for the 2020 sea- son, including four seniors, five juniors, 11 sophomores and eight freshmen. Connor Young is a senior who will play up front for the Chargers. "We will rely on him to score goals for us. He is a strong, fast kid who has a knack for scoring big goals. He had two game-winning goals last year, and I expect more of the same from him this season," said Western proudly. Garrett Boyd will make the transition from defense to wing this season, as Western wants him to get involved as a scorer. "He is the strongest kid we have and one of the fastest. He has worked extremely hard in the weight room and it is going to show this year. I expect a lot of production out of him this year, either scoring or getting assists," said Western. Another athlete making a change will be Hunter Cape- hart, who has been a midfield- er most of his life. Western is going to use him in the center defensively for his senior year, because of his ability to com- municate, lead and win balls. "I really expect him to im- press a lot of people in his new position," added Western. Along with Capehart, West- ern will use Reece Ashley in the back line, too. Western is excited about Ashley's accu- rate left foot and his leader- ship qualities. Western is confident about the sophomore who will be in goal this year. It is only Pey- ton Howald's second year play- ing soccer, but Western said he soaks everything in and is constantly improving. "He is tall and athletic, and can punt the ball farther than most goalies I have seen. He does a great job coming off of his line and stopping attacks before they happen. I think he has the potential to be one of the best goalies in the area." Western has high hopes for his group of midfielders, too. Sophomore Joey Ridao, junior Devin Carlisle and sophomore Nolan Nelson may be some of the most skilled midfielders around, according to Western. He added, "They work ex- tremely well together, and their skill sets really comple- ment each other. Joey is prob- ably the most skilled player on the team with the ball at his feet." Western thinks Nelson is the best passer for the Char- gers and that he transitions from offense to defense well. Carlisle is the hardest work- er on the team who "has an engine that makes us go," ac- cording to Western. He is excited to use Isaac Burdette and Xavier Shoultz, both sophomores, defensive- ly this year. "Xavier started last year and is a guy that I have com- plete trust in. He can run for days and really controls our back line." He added that Burdette is extremely quick and has im- proved the most from last year. Western expects him to shine. The final two to get varsity starting time will be freshmen Chase Ridao and Jonas Marti- nez. Ridao will get right side defense action, while Marti- nez will play wing. "His motor never shuts off," said Western about Ridao. He said that Martinez is ob- sessed with the game of soc- cer and can strike the ball per- fectly. Western is expecting big things from the junior varsity team this fall. He added that there are many players fight- ing hard for varsity spots and that practices this year have been more competitive. Ashton Evans and Kendric Sorgius, according to West- ern, are newcomers to the team and to the game of soc- cer in general. Western added, "but if you watched them play, you would never guess that. Ashton is ex- tremely fast and has a knack for scoring goals. Kendric is really tall and an exceptional baseball and basketball player. He is already one of the best on the team at winning balls out of the air." Two more bright spots men- tioned by Western are fresh- men Ethan Meadors and Sam Nelson. Western appreciates Meadors' versatility and Nel- son's ability to pass and move the ball in the middle. Isaac Fair and Cade Morgan will both play good one-on-one defense for Western. Juniors Caleb Lester and Hunter Mosby will play a lot of defensive midfield positions for the Chargers, according to Western. "They are two of the bet- ter leaders on the JV and will do anything that is asked of them. Hunter has a nice shot from distance and Caleb has really improved his left foot," explained Western. Offensive wise for junior varsity, Western expects to use Brycen Knepp, Evan Conder and Blake Cooper. Western said, "Brycen has a ton of speed and is another one that has improved since last year a ton. Evan is really skilled and is one of the most coachable kids we have. Blake really plays good crosses into the box and should have sev- eral assists." Some other JV players, who have not played much soccer in the past, are Noah Miller, Ryan Gladish and Kadin Go- odrid. Western says they are quite coachable and that they improve with each practice. "Ryan is a great athlete and an even better leader. Kadin and Noah are always willing to do what is asked and are try- ing to learn as much as possi- ble," added Western. An injury may hinder the JV team some, as Austin Henson will be out for part of the sea- son. Western said he is an of- fensive player who will fill in a puzzle piece once he is back. Western's varsity team could be described as a very young team, but he is confi- dent in his senior leadership. "We have really focused on passing the ball this year and trying to keep control of pos- session. We are learning to control the pace of the game. I couldn't be happier with how hard the kids have worked all throughout July," said West- ern. He added that his players do all that he asks without asking questions. They always come to practice ready to put in hard work. "It really says a lot about the kids, and also the parents. I am really blessed to have this group of kids and parents," Western said. He added Josh Stieneker and Christian Benson are go- ing to help coach. "Josh Stieneker is my JV coach. We played together in high school and he is extreme- ly reliable. He does a great job working with the younger kids and really improving their fun- damentals." Benson is Western's volun- teer assistant. He graduated a couple years ago and was an all-conference player."He re- lates to the kids really well and does a great job seeing some different things that I might miss," added Western. "Noah Whann and Kyson Western were also both all-conference players, and even though they are not around this season because they will be going to school at USI, I use them often as a re- source to bounce ideas off of." Western said that his team's goals are always to take con- ference and win sectionals. "This year, even more than most, we want to make sure we are always getting better, and that we enjoy every day that we get to be out there. These kids love soccer and hopefully we are able to make it a great and memorable ex- perience for them." CHARGERS SOCCER Boys' Varsity Soccer Day/Date Time Event Location H/A Fri.....8/21 ..... 6:30 PM ......River City Classic – Bosse ................EVSC Soccer Complex ...................... Away Sat ...8/22 ..... 10:00 AM ....River City Classic – Reitz .................EVSC Soccer Complex ...................... Away Mon ..8/24 ..... 6:30 PM ......Mount Vernon ...................................Mount Vernon HS ............................. Away Wed ..8/26 ..... 5:30 PM ......Washington .....................................Old Petersburg Gym .........................Home Tue ...9/1 ....... 8:00 PM ......South Spencer .................................South Spencer HS ............................ Away Thu ...9/3 ....... 7:45 PM .......Boonville .........................................Pike Central HS ................................Home Sat ...9/5 ....... 12:00 PM .....Princeton .........................................Pike Central HS ................................Home Tue ...9/8 ....... 5:00 PM ......South Knox ......................................South Knox HS ................................. Away Thu ...9/10 ..... 6:00 PM ......North Posey .....................................Old Petersburg Gym .........................Home Sat ...9/12 ..... 11:45 AM .....Forest Park ......................................Old Petersburg Gym .........................Home Thu ...9/17 ..... 7:00 PM .......Heritage Hills ...................................Heritage Hills MS/HS ........................ Away Mon ..9/21 ..... 7:00 PM .......Northeast Dubois ............................Old Petersburg Gym .........................Home Thu ...9/24 ..... 7:30 PM .......Gibson Southern ..............................Gibson Southern HS ......................... Away Tue ...9/29 ..... 6:00 PM ......Southridge .......................................Southridge HS .................................. Away Wed ..9/30 ..... 5:30 PM ......Waldo J Wood Memorial ...................Waldo J Wood Memorial High ........... Away Boys' JV Soccer Thu ...8/27 ..... 7:30 PM .......Evansville Day School .......................Pike Central HS ................................Home Thu ...9/17 ..... 6:00 PM ......Heritage Hills ...................................Heritage Hills MS/HS ........................ Away Mon ..9/28 ..... 6:30 PM ......Boonville .........................................Pike Central HS ................................Home REECE ASHLEY CONNOR YOUNG