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It is hard to imagine, but soccer has existed at Clare High School now for fifteen years. I have enjoyed being here as its head coach from its infancy to its current manifestation (minus 2005 and 2006). There were a few seasons when I also coached the girls team in the spring, but time away from my family kept me in the fall predominantly.
I have watched players grow from the youth clinic to varsity stardom. Players have moved in from other cities/towns and added to our success. Foreign exchange students have graced us with flair and creativity. Athletes have come from other programs and been standouts. I have seen just about every kind of high school student participate in this program. The following is a summation of where our program began and where it is headed.
For two years, 2000 and 2001, the boys played under club status; there was a need to test the waters and determine if there was interest to maintain the program. It was decided there was, and in 2002 the program was granted Varsity level play.
In 2003 the Pioneers joined the Northern Michigan Soccer League. 2004 saw a run at the league leaders and a second place finish.
2007 had a resurgence of Pioneer performance as Clare won the Southern Division of the NMSL.
A JV team was added to the program in 2008, and 2009 saw the fruits of the growth of Clare soccer with another Southern Division Championship.
2010 was even better yet, another Southern Division Championship plus new records set. We played strong against some of the leading teams in DIII. Our reserve squad posted some wins, starting to gel and find their niche as well.
2011 saw us 3peat as Southern Division Champions, only to lose the conference title to one of the strongest teams in the state. We went on a 15-match unbeaten streak and captured our first tournament championship at the Bay City John Glenn Bobcat Invitational Tournament. It took penalty shots and some bad luck for a team ranked 10th in the the state to knock us out of the district semi-final.
2013 we opened the doors to Brookwood like never before. Not a player, coach, or spectator who visited our pitch walked away unimpressed.
The observation period is complete and the squads have been created. There will be 17 members on the Varsity squad and 19 on the reserves.
There is some work to do, but the men on the teams are ready to face the challenges. Returning players are in form and ready to continue where they ended last season. New players like Kaleb and Andrew Molina, Jordan Hales, and Kahlil Richardson show great promise. It will be an exciting fall, beginning Friday August 19 versus Freeland.
The 2011 season starts soon. Who will lead us? Who will be the foundation? Who will be the spark? These are the questions people might ask if they had never met this group of young men. Those who know them as I do, know that there is no single person but a team of leaders who are the foundation and spark.
This year's roster will have 10 returning seniors. These seniors have paid their dues. They have taken their lumps. They have fought valiantly in victory. They have put in the extra effort in the off-season honing their skills in prepartion for their final season in our yard. Passion, desire, ability - all culminating in a combined effort to create a dynasty.
Driving over to the awards night, my son asked me if I was going to miss the seniors. "Of course I am. I do every year," I answered him. This was by no means a glib response. I have fond memories of every season, I look through the old clippings, I reminisce over old names and faces. Putting together the "Dream Team" is no easy task because there are so many players who were essential to our program's development. There are players who drop by just to check in on a practice. We are visited by players who want to watch a match. I had the privelege of being teammates in Midland with two former players. When I see Vincent and Jon and Jared lacing up the boots for MMCC, I look on with pride.
Every season's awards night brings a mixture of loss and optimism. Obviously, I will miss the seniors who are graduating. I have known Josiah and Micah since they were little. Cody, Ian, TJ, and Jamie have spent the last four years with me. Chris took a year hiatus, but I include him as an athlete who has created a bond with his teammates like few others do. Taylor joined us this year but immediately made himself a part of the intricacy of the team's personality. Khua's infectious smile and joy for the game will forever leave an indelible mark.
At the same time, I can't wait for next year to start. I wish I could get started right now. Jason and Cameron and Tyler. Bryce in goal. Taylor, John, Jonathan, Jacob, Sam - who will be able to outplay that midfield? Jimmy returning to the forward position where he started his career. These guys are going to have to work hard because Peach, Stephon, Brandon, Brock, Hunter, Keegan, Alex, and all the other reserves are going to be chomping at the bit to take their spot. This is what makes programs strong. This is what makes athletes better. We are building the future in the present!
As you know, I have been here since the inception of Clare High School soccer. I was here our first year as a club when we had just 12 or 13 players total. This year we had 34 athletes participating. I was here when every season was a guess not only about how many people would play, but how many people had ever touched a ball before.
After 2010, we reflect on where we are and where we are heading. In 2008 we added a reserve squad, ensuring younger players the playing time they need. We have a growing number of players playing in the off-season. We need both these things if we want the program to continue to grow.
We lose 9 seniors this year. We are going to miss our offense, but as a result of Josiah and Micah's leadership with the younger players, our defense will be in good hands next season. Our midfielders will be veterans. Once we single-in on some boys who can put the bisquet in the basket, we'll be golden again.
Next season our opponents will also be improving. We will need to work hard, but the results will come just as they had this campaign.
