PREVIEW: FC soccer season nearing

Behind-the-scenes preparations are rapidly coming to a close and the 2022-2023 competitive season will begin in a matter of days for Franklin County High School’s soccer program.

“We’ve been working pretty much since last spring — right after the previous season ended and a short break — with our conditioning and strengthening efforts,” Head Soccer Coach Jeff Long said.

“During the summer, we had practices and played some games, which I thought went really well. Now, it’s down to polishing some things and gearing up to play later this month.”

The Soccer Dawgs will host a jamboree scrimmage against Adams County Christian School beginning at 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 22.

A week later — on Saturday, Oct. 29, the highly anticipated Ben Yarbrough Kick-off Classic at the FC Soccer Complex off U.S. Highway 98 will be played with the Dawgs hosting Morton in games beginning at 11 a.m.

The regular season will begin in earnest on Friday, Nov. 4 when FC’s junior varsity and varsity squads play host to Brookhaven.

“I think what makes a new season so exciting is that we get to put all our preparations into action and get into a routine of games,” Long noted.

“There’s always a lot of anticipation when it comes to starting the season, and we’ve set some pretty high goals for what we hope to accomplish.”

• • •

GIRLS PREVIEW

Long said his Lady Bulldogs have a great deal of motivation to excel during the upcoming season in hopes of returning to top-team status in regional play.

“Last season was only the second time in the last 10 years or so that our girls didn’t win district — coming in second to the Loyd Star girls,” he continued.

“Also coming into this season, we know we lost some good players to graduation, but the good news for us is that we’re returning some solid players — Karlee Wallace, Brooklynn Cupit, Lilly Hutto, Amberly Wallace and Kaitlyn Fussell to name a few.

“Karlee and Kaitlyn have been multi-year starters and Amberly got a full year’s experience on the defensive line and a little bit in the goal. Karlee and Amberly will likely play center backs together for us this season.”

In addition, Long noted Addison Cooper could be seeing time on the back line for the Lady Dawgs while Braxton Martin, who got the start in a big district game last year at left back, is expected to anchor that same spot again.

Meg Kelly, who Long characterized as having the ability to play inside or outside on the back line, is also expected to make contributions for the squad this season.

“We have a battle for right back between Marlee Tindle, who is back with us after injuring her knee last season, and Ken’niya McGowan — both are capable of playing in that spot and will spend a lot of time there,” he continued.

“Lilly is returning to the midfield and will have the opportunity to be more of a scoring threat with less defensive responsibilities.

“Brooklynn is our best goal-scorer at this time so she will be moving up from midfield to a forward position along with Kayleigh Foy, who is currently battling through a hip flexor, along with Edniya Gordon (an all-district selection returning from a knee injury late last season) and Gre’yonne Queen (who played a considerable amount of time at forward last year).”

Long said Franklin County has good depth at the forward positions, but is also making adjustments to fill places that will play key roles during the upcoming campaign.

“We’ll be moving Kaitlyn from right back up to the outside midfielder slot in hopes of taking advantage of her speed,” he added.

“Carmen Coleman has moved up to varsity now and has shown a great deal of improvement and could see time at outside right or left midfielder and Brianna Stokes will also get time at outside mid.”

Additionally, Long said he has seen a lot of new players — without a great deal of previous game experience — stepping up and could potentially contribute almost immediately.

One of those is Addison Lunsford, a freshman who has improved and will see time at midfield.

Savannah Emfinger, who played for FC as a seventh grader last year, will be part of this year’s mix in a defender’s role.

Long said he also has a number of first-year players on his roster that will be put to the test immediately.

“With the level of experience that we do have, I would say we’re probably two deep on the bench,” he went on to say.

“At the same time, we’re going to need those newcomers to be quick leaners — especially in the junior varsity ranks to gain needed experience and be able to substitute into varsity games and help us build on our depth.”

Some other younger players dotting the roster and expected to contribute to the cause will include Bradi Wallace, Kendra Jones and Jayla Ward.

In the goalkeeper’s position, returning player Katherine Romero looks to be the starter for the Lady Dawgs with Kiera Walker and Kaleigh King also likely to see time in front of the net.

“We don’t want to be in a position were we have to pull Amberly, who has worked previously in the goal for us,” Long noted.

“That’s one of the areas where we’ll be working to bring our younger players along and get them some game-time experience.”

Overall, Long said his girls’ program could best be described as young, but has great leaders in the seniors who have been recognized as some of the best players in the district.

“Those leaders are out here teaching every day and sharing their experiences to help make us a better team throughout the season,” he added.

• • •

BOYS PREVIEW

FC’s Soccer Dawgs have but one senior in the line-up and that’s Chris Carraway, who played his first year of soccer during the previous season.

“He is a player that has come a long way for us,” Long said. “I’ve been hesitant about taking (first-time) juniors because there’s not a whole lot of time for them to improve.”

Long went on to say that Carraway was able to contribute immediately, and he has proven to be an extremely hard worker.

Carraway will most likely start on the back line for FC in filling a spot previously held by Colton Shaw.

As far as the junior class is concerned, the Soccer Dawgs are loaded with talent and Long noted these could be the best athletes and most participants from any grade level — as a whole — he has seen in his program over the last five years.

Leading that class is standout Jamari Tolliver, who is a multi-year starter and lettered during his eighth grade year, along with Landon Furlow, who hurt his knee last season, but is expected to contribute immediately because of his talents on the field in controlling the midfield.

Kolby Cox, who has battled through injuries, distributes the ball well and his natural position will be in the midfield because he sees open players so well, according to Long.

A utility player who started 15 or 16 games last season, Mason Emfinger will see time at just about any position and will likely start the campaign from the outside right position.

The regional Most Valuable Player from last season, Zachary Kent, will be another returner Long will count on in boosting the Soccer Dawgs.

“He’s not too far off from setting the all-time record for us in defensive stops,” Long said. “He was a Central Mississippi All-Star last year and you can just tell that the sport means a lot to him because of his passion on the field.”

Long added he believes Kent is the perfect combination of talent, intelligence and desire — making him a leader by example and vocally in game situations.

Juniors Parker Jordan and Drew Mullins have made great progress since donning their respective Bulldogs’ uniforms.

“Parker played midfield and left back a lot for us last year, and Drew is another one of those players who can make an impact wherever he is on the field,” Long said.

“(Underclassman) Xavien Felton started at left mid a lot last year and has grown — both in strength and speed.”

Michael Ohr, a first-year player last season for the Soccer Dawgs, has worked hard and will be able to substitute in for some time at midfield.

Another first-year player last year, Jackson Westbrook, has worked diligently through the summer in anticipation of this season and will be another player Long looks at putting in the line-up for another fresh pair of legs.

“The biggest surprise has been freshman Preston Cupit, who has grown and improved to the point that he will be an immediate starter at the center back spot,” Long continued.

Sophomore Terrence Fields, who started around 20 games in his first year on the squad, is another natural athlete who picked up the nuances of the game quickly and will possibly see considerable time in a defensive midfield role with Cox.

Dakota Chisholm is slated to return in the goalkeeper’s position — with a mental and physical toughness to go after the ball in traffic while maintaining soft hands that contribute to his success in front of the net.

Another keeper with considerable playing time was Keyundre Felton — who stepped up when Chisholm went down with an injury, and made himself at home in the position.

“Both Dakota and Keyundre are very capable athletes that do a great job for us and having them as goalkeepers is a real plus for this program because we don’t miss a beat with either of them there,” Long said.

“We also gave Keyundre time in the field last year and he excelled there for us as well — especially at midfield.”

Other players on the roster include Parker Cupit, who can play midfield or forward; Tim and Jack Hutto, who have worked hard and are in the best physical shape of their young careers, with Tim spending time at forward and Jack as a defensive midfielder-stopper; Blake Mann, who previously played as JV goalie, could add depth at the varsity level in that slot.

Others in the boys line-up will include Jaquez Anderson and Carson Laird.

Working with Long on the sidelines during the upcoming season will be second-year Assistant Coach Dana Smith.

“She is truly a blessing to me and this program,” Long said. “A true coach can coach any sport and she can do just that because she genuinely cares about these kids and coaches them hard.”

Long also noted Smith is fully invested in the program — especially in areas that a lot of people don’t get to see.

“She’s not afraid to get out there and cut the grass, clean the facilities, organize uniforms and order equipment,” he continued. “As far as I’m concerned, Coach Smith is the real deal for this program and we appreciate her so much.”