The 2017-18 MHSAA soccer season is on the horizon. Here is a preview of the Northeast Jones girls and boys soccer teams.
Northeast Jones Girls
Head Coach: Matt Reid
Previous Year Record: 17-6-3 (overall); 6-2 (Region 5-4A)
First Game: vs. Bay High on November 4 at 9 a.m.
Key Players: Esmeralda Figueroa, Araceli Figueroa, Sarah Sumrall, Odalys Garcia.
What coach had to say:
“The biggest change [from last year to this year] is enthusiasm. It’s their positivity and their attitude that is tremendous. You can tell they want to be at practice every day, they want to learn, and they’re eager to participate in everything we do. They’re just a fun bunch to be around.
“Our three captains this year are the twins, Esmeralda Figueroa and Araceli Figueroa, and Sarah Sumrall. Esmo plays up top as a striker. She has been solid for us over the years, and she already has over a 100 goals scored in her career. Araceli is probably the toughest player I’ve ever coached, boys or girls. She is tough as nails. Sumrall, our keeper, has been a starter for us for four years now. She is a solid player and gets better and better every year. Those three girls are our mainstays.
“Odalys Garcia is another important player for us. She too has been playing four years for us. Garcia can play anywhere; she is extremely versatile. We also have a lot of young talent coming up.
“We graduated two defenders last year, Shelby Lowery and Taylor Manning. Who will replace them is one of our biggest questions of the season.”
Northeast Jones Boys
Head Coach: Matt Reid
Previous Year Record: 13-10-2 (overall); 8-0 (Region 5-4A)
First Game: vs. Bay High on November 4 at 10:15 a.m.
Key Players: Malachi Harrison, Harrison Hodge, Jonathan Blackledge, Cole Sykes, Corban Williams.
What coach had to say:
“Our boy’s team is the oldest group [of guys] I’ve had since I’ve been here. We have a lot of experience on our roster, and we return eight starters from a season ago. I have eight seniors and a foreign exchange student this year. I’m happy with the experience we have, and I’m excited to see what we can do with it. Our guys understand that for many of them this is their last rodeo so to speak.
“I don’t see us playing a lot differently than we have [in the past]. Our style is pretty much run-and-gun. Obviously, we hope to connect more passes and increase our possession time, but we are a counter-attacking team.
“Our leaders this year will include Malachi Harrison, Harrison Hodge, Jonathan Blackledge, Cole Sykes and Corban Williams. All these guys are seniors and play key roles.
“I’m excited about our depth too. We have a few underclassmen who will get a lot of playing time, and a few will start. We do have others who haven’t played before, but they’re athletic and are going to pick up on the sport easily.”
