A Message from OJ
Beginning my third year as the head coach for the Wildcats, I like others recognize that we all face a challenge with our program this year. That challenge is attributed to the youthful make-up of this year’s varsity squad. This year’s varsity is comprised of four seniors, five juniors, nine sophomores and three freshmen. Last year’s team experienced many ups and downs attributed to a very youthful team. We had some great moments and some we would rather forget about. However all of this was part of the nurturing and growing process. Despite the fact that we finished the season 8-2-2, our last game was a 2-1 lost to the eventual state champions. Taking this experience we obtained last year, it will be a challenge to our squad to see if we are able to convert that into a hunger that will take us further and deeper into the state playoffs. While I recognize that the spirit of the team is not measured in wins and losses, I expect that we should see us put to good use those lessons we learned on the field last season. Together as a family we have accepted this challenge to seek out the memory for which this team will be remembered and will contribute to the soccer cat tradition. Work and effort has been plentiful. A desire to be successful has been ear marked. But the question to remain unanswered until May 07 will be “who are we.” This year, we have decided that our catch on phrase, stolen from the ladies eight years ago will be the question mark we will wear on the back of our warm-up t shirts. Each and every time we don our uniform and boots, we will ask the question of who we are? The legacy that the past teams have established is a difficult bench mark to surpass. Yet a hurdle that this team most learn to overcome. However as a coaching staff, Coach Woods and I have challenged this young squad to excel both in the class room and on the field. This year marks the return to our awesome home on campus. While it is a great feeling, it does present yet another obstacle for this team. It will require a culture and mindset that will allow us to play this wonderful game on a field designed for soccer. We must now learn to use every inch of this field to our advantage. Hosting our very own tourney for the first time in a number of years will also be a challenge not only on the field, but off the field for our booster family..
We must remember that a successful season depends largely on the support of the players from both the parents and the coaching staff. Players between the ages of 15 and 18 have many distractions in their young lives, which require a total focus and commitment to the game in addition to the phenomenon of growing up.
OJ Sheppard, Head Coach
Chris Woods, Asst Coach