Late this
summer, Allen County-Scottsville High School will field the school’s first
soccer team---a junior varsity team that will open play in August with the goal
of competing in varsity competition in forthcoming seasons. To start the new sport
at the high school level, AC-SH has selected John Farris to guide the program.
“I am very excited to launch the new JV
soccer program at AC-SHS,” Farris said. “I am looking forward to creating a
safe and competitive program for high school students to participate in. The
Allen County community expressed a need for soccer at AC-S. It is an honor to
be able to coach students, and help provide a JV soccer program in Allen County.
Starting soccer at the high school level
comes as the sport’s local popularity has grown within the past 10 years. Many
Allen County kids were introduced to the international sport through developmental
programs established at the CORE of Scottsville recreational facility. The growing
interest prompted school officials to begin the sport at the James E. Bazzell
Middle School last year under the coaching of Emily Williams.
Farris’ interest to coach the sport at the
high school comes following years of learning the game as a father and observer.
“I have watch youth soccer for approximately
seven years,” Farris added, noting that he has already began planning ways to
help players develop the fundamentals of the game. “Currently I am preparing
practices to improve the athletes’ ability to kick, dribbling/feinting, and
ball control.”
Fielding a JV squad comes with challenges.
First, school officials had to determine if the school would create separate
girls and boys teams or continue with participation as a co-ed squad---as is the
case at the middle school level.
“The plan for JV soccer is to have a co-ed
team where eighth graders, freshman, and sophomores can play during the
2018-2019 school year,” Farris noted. “The next goal for the high school soccer
team is to develop the program and be able to have a co-ed JV, and co-ed varsity
team for the 2019-2020 school year. From there, we will respond to the need of
the students. If AC-SHS has a need for a boys team and a girls team in the
future then we will consider what is best for the growth of the program.”
The potential combination of students across
the three grade levels also poses a challenge given current Kentucky High
School Athletic Association (KHSAA) guidelines. Since soccer falls under the
same definition of a “contact sport” similar to football, Farris will be limited---if
eighth graders make the JV squad---in regard to who can play and when
“Sophomores and eight graders cannot be on
the field at the same time according to KHSAA,” Farris explained. “Soccer games
with freshman and sophomores can be played or soccer games with eighth graders and
freshman can be played.”
An initial meeting with potential players
occurred last month to introduce Farris. Twenty student-athletes indicated
their desire to participate. Students can still elect to come out for the squad
by contacting Farris at [email protected].
Potential players must also complete a KHSAA Athletic Participation Form and have
a physical form on file. Practice is slated to officially start in mid-July
following the KHSAA mandated dead period.
“The JV Soccer team is looking
for athletes that have a drive to participate and have a safe, and competitive
experience,” Farris added.
Farris is working with AC-S athletic
director Kerry Harwood to complete the JV schedule. The tentative slate has the
Patriot soccer team opening play around August 21. Matches are slated against
Barren County, Russellville, Logan County, Glasgow, and Monroe County.
Additional opponents are expected to be scheduled before the season concludes
in late September of early October. At this point, matches will be played on
the road.
In addition, Farris will be working with
Allen County Community Education to offer a free one-session class to the
public in July. The class will be designed for parents and community members
who have a desire to learn more about the game, rules, and strategies. More
information will be forthcoming.
Currently, soccer is played at 13 schools in
south-central Kentucky and grouped very similar to the current basketball
regional alignment. KHSAA Region 4 soccer is composed of Districts 13, 14, and
15. District 13 schools are Franklin-Simpson, Logan County, Russellville, and
Todd County Central. District 14 schools include the Warren County
schools---Bowling Green, Greenwood, South Warren, Warren Central, and Warren
East. District 15 includes Barren County, Clinton County, Glasgow, and Monroe
County. All schools fielded both girl and boy varsity teams last fall with one
exception. Russellville does not have a girls’ team.
Region 4 soccer has been a successful region
in recent state competition. Bowling Green won boys state titles in 2006 and
2014, was a state semifinalist in 2013 and 2015, and was state runner-up in
1995 and 1996. Greenwood was runner-up in the state in 2004 and 2009. Warren
Central is the defending boys Region 4 champion and was a state-semifinalist
last fall. Bowling Green is the defending girls Region 4 champions and recached
the state quarterfinals last year.