HS Soccer Retrospective

Headline in the Arlington Citizen Journal April 10: “Martin Girls Confident They Can Win No Matter What.” The kicker: they’d lost 2-0 the night before. I’m guessing the MHS Booster Club discussed putting a contract out for that headline writer.

As the parent of a ’98, I became a fan of 98s who’d made The Show, HS style. Thus I was awed to hear through the grapevine that Plano West was so good, a very strong Fresh’man’ that most parents of 98s knew of hadn’t even made Varsity there. But while watching the Internet broadcast of the state 5A final, it was that kid who scored her team’s first goal. After having watched my kid play against her, for the first time in my life, I realized I was pulling for that kid! WTG youngster!

BTW, it was another freshman that lifted PW’s opponent into the finals with a nice goal against a feisty SA team. (I was actually pulling for SLC, the Tarrant rep, in the finals.) It’s quite impressive for an athlete to be able to succeed against much older athletes in HS—or really on any level, at least until you get to be my age, when the trick has been to do it the other way around for a long time.

Making a HS varsity team struck me as something like it must be to make a college (and even a tiny bit like a national) team. Age goes out the window; the only question becomes “Can you play?” Someone who can, especially in these parts, can hum that song they sing in NY: If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere.

On the other hand, college/national team soccer is doubtless nothing like most HS soccer, which is like shock therapy to parents and players used to seeing club ball.

On the other, other hand, club soccer may look down its nose at HS soccer, but the UIL has something club soccer can only wish for: a true state tourney. I could fill up a landfill with tournament medals and trophies I’d (and I suspect my kid would) trade for a State title.

Guyer had a fine team that is (unlike most HS teams) very well coached (by the great Kenny Blevins), but it would not have lasted long in the 5A tournament.

There are things about HS soccer that sucked, but it sure has been boring in these parts since it ended. I feel a little like the dorky car salesman in the Pepsi stunt with Jeff Gordan; “Can we do it again?”

To be honest with everyone. The high soccer scene was a great experience for my dd and my family. The sense of being apart of the community. Being able to cheer for the home team without regard of going overboard. Her friends were able to see her play. The local paper interviews. The long bus rides out to Midland Tx with true friends she grew up with. All 4 years they were in the playoffs. Made team her freshman year. Letterman jackets paid for except the sleeves and patches. Great photos of the whole team. Soccer team dinner every Monday. Student body at the games. It was a great 4 yrs. Team taking time to visit elderly as a group. Helping tutoring young students at the grade school! Great times don't regret it at all!!!!! Go Martin Warriors