Anna-Jonesboro Wildcat boys’ soccer team preparing for season opener

<p class="p1">The boys’ Wildcat soccer team has ended each of its last two seasons by losing in the playoffs to the eventual Class 1A state champion.  </p><p class="p1">Last year was even harder to swallow than the year prior as the Cats had a lead 3-2 with less than 5 minutes to go in the second extra period.  </p><p class="p1">But a late goal by Columbia led to a penalty kick shoot out where Columbia defeated the Cats 4-3.  </p><p class="p1">Columbia went on to win the state championship out scoring their remaining opponents 15-0.  </p><p class="p1">“There is no doubt that the two best teams in Class 1A played that night and we came out on the short of end of the score and went home without the trophy,” said coach Mark Boomer.  </p><p class="p1">But Boomer believes this year’s team is more than capable of putting themselves in position again for a long playoff run and that is their goal.</p><p class="p1">“It was just a couple of years ago that we would begin the season talking about trying to finish with a winning record or maybe winning a regional championship. But now, it is legitimate for us to honestly evaluate the season in terms of going deep into the playoffs.”</p><p class="p1">Although the Wildcats said goodbye to a very talented group of seniors last year, they still manage to return seven players that started at least part of the 2014 season plus they get back the leading scorer from the 2013 team.  </p><p class="p1">The strength of the Cats will begin with a large senior class that brings a lot of playing experience.  </p><p class="p1">The Cats will be led by Ryan Stark (midfield) and Dakota Earnhart (defense), who have started nearly every game of the past two seasons.  </p><p class="p1">“Ryan and Dakota have been a big part of our success the past two years.  They know our system and they know their team.  Their experience and leadership will play big in our preparation and discipline in our play.  They have logged a lot of hours playing this game and they are hungry to end their careers by leading this program to a new championship,” Boomer said.</p><p class="p1">The Cats will also be led by the return of senior forward Zach Parr. He led the team in goals scored during his sophomore season. He spent last year playing with the Scott Gallagher Academy team.</p><p class="p1">“We are very glad to have Zach return. He is a special player and there is probably no one in the entire region that can bring his level of experience to the field. He will likely return to the forward position and we fully expect him to be a scoring threat every night.”</p><p class="p1">Other seniors the Cats will depend heavily upon will be Elijah Haar, Jared Collier, JT Moore, Garrett Nimmo, Alejandro Peneda and Logan Mattingly. </p><p class="p1">“Elijah has really grown and become stronger and more physical over the past year. He was a starter much of last year but with the added size and strength, we will be depending upon him a lot more to help set up the attack and support the defense.”</p><p class="p1">Collier, Moore and Nimmo and Peneda will also see added responsibility.  </p><p class="p1">“We will see JT in the middle defense with Earnhart. Dakota knows the position as well as anyone and I would stack him up as one of the best defenders around. He will work well with JT. Their size and speed will be a matchup problem for most teams and give us tremendous support against any attack,” Boomer said.  </p><p class="p1">Collier returns for this fourth season. He played several varsity minutes last year and had some spot starts.  </p><p class="p1">“Jared is just plain tough.  He is that guy that will simply go in and bang bodies with anyone.   He is not afraid to be physical and we will need that on the outside to stop cross kicks from ever leaving the ground,” Boomer said.</p><p class="p1">Nimmo returns to soccer for his senior year and Mattingly is new to the program.  </p><p class="p1">“Last year Garrett was standing on the sidelines when the Cats played Columbia. He told his friends he wanted to be back on the field. So he came out this summer and has worked very hard.  We are ready to make good use of him.  He is quick and the kid has a knack for getting a goal.  And Mattingly has come out this summer and worked very hard. We anticipate seeing him as a our back-up goalie,” Boomer said. </p><p class="p1">The Cats will also get much needed support from some strong underclassmen.</p><p class="p1">Junior Diego Godinez and sophomores Jaryt Tripp, John Russell, Sheldon McGrath and Jake Parr will provide experience, skill and speed in key positions.  </p><p class="p1">“Tripp got into the starting rotation about mid-way through the season last year and became a strong goal scorer as a freshman.  That says a lot about his skill because as a freshman you are playing against some pretty big guys in the opponent’s defense. Jaryt’s skill set allowed him to effectively get position even though he was often out sized. We are going to likely have him up top with Parr and with the support of our attacking midfielders, those front five are going to put a lot of pressure on our opponents,” Boomer said.  </p><p class="p1">Russell will likely be one of those attacking midfielders.  </p><p class="p1">“John has tremendous speed and he sees the field very well. With Stark in the middle and Nimmo and Russell on the outsides, our mid-line is going to be as good as any around distributing the ball and attacking the goal,” Boomer said.</p><p class="p1">Godinez, McGrath and Parr will shore up the defense.  </p><p class="p1">“McGrath and Parr spent time during the winter and spring playing soccer and getting additional training.  Jake is prepared and fully capable to take over the goal keeping duties for us and we are excited to see Sheldon’s development after a year of training. Godinez is beginning his third season in the program and like many of the boys on the team has had a lot of time playing this game,” Boomer said. </p><p class="p1">The JV team will be made up of sophomores:  Abe Godinez, Alex Carmona, Brett Gawrych, Devin Hazel, Jesus Olvera, Jose Guzman, Jovani Amesquita. Jacob Britt, and Zach Massey. Freshmen Avery Webb, James Sullivan and Noah Godinez will also see playing time on the JV team.</p><p class="p1">“Several of the players on the junior varsity team will be given varsity jerseys as they earn them and they will be there to provide support to our varsity players.  It is just part of the progression and getting them ready for the strength and speed of varsity play,” Boomer said.</p><p class="p1">The Wildcats are scheduled to open the 2015 season at Poplar Bluff, Missouri, on Monday, Aug. 24 at 5 p.m.  </p><p class="p1">The Cats will then host Cape Notre Dame on Wednesday, Aug. 26, before playing in the Kline Invitational in Carbondale Aug. 28-29.  </p><p class="p1">“I say it every year and it still holds true:  we have never beaten Cape Notre Dame in the history of Wildcat soccer. We ask everyone to come to the field on Brady Mill Road on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. and help us get that job done.  It would be a great victory for this group of seniors and for the 2015 Wildcat team,” Boomer said.</p>