SOCCER: Coach is proud of his team

 The 2012 version of the LaRue County High School boys soccer team played like champions and made history. 

Terry Sandidge

Soccer coaches Derek Bell and Charles Holloway

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And they were champions, winning the Barren County Trojan Classic Soccer Tournament.

Alex Cook was named Most Valuable Player and Best Striker of the tournament after scoring seven goals, including both goals of the championship game.  Holden Blair was named Best Goalkeeper of the tournament, allowing only one goal, including a shutout in the championship game.

These young student-athletes showed their class by reaching the finals of the

18th District tournament and the quarter-finals of the 5th Region tournament. 

Cook and Metcalf were named to the all-tournament teams for both district and region. Catfish Hurt was also named to the district team.

Before every match, the team says the Lord's Prayer. We pray that there are

no serious injuries in the game. We pray that everyone plays to the best of their abilities. We pray for victory.

Fortunately, the Hawks did not suffer any serious injuries during the season.  Yes, ankle sprains, contusions and bruises are part of the game. But also present were concussions, nose fractures and that notorious red card. However, the players affected were not out long.

Everybody did play to the best of their abilities. 

Coach Derek Bell squeezed every ounce of strength and performance from these young men. He was also able to push away any negative and individual (not team) attitudes that could adversely affect the team. Positive attitude, infectious enthusiasm, and complimentary handshakes were always abundant. These young men were just a good group to be around.

All eligible players on the roster (24) were able to play in 10 different matches.  Fifteen different players contributed on the scoring tally. 

Six different players scored game-winning goals, including eight by Alex Cook.  These Hawks showed their ability throughout the season, but none more so than during the Trojan Classic tournament and the region tournament. These young men grew up and gained heaping amounts of respect.

This team made history. These Hawks were victorious in 15 matches, the best in school history. The 15-6-0 record this season was the second best in 5th Region.

Amongst the victories was a run of 10 consecutive matches – 10 wins in a row.  These Hawks scored 104 goals, best in region and second best in state this season.

This team did not taste the agony of defeat for 31 days.

As a coach, supporter and parent, I have dreams, I have aspirations, I have beliefs. I believe in these young men and I will do whatever I can to help them

realize their dreams. To coach these fine upstanding student-athletes has been a dream come true. Disappointed? Never!

These gallant young men had a great season, a great run. A word of praise and a strong slap on the back for a job well done will go a long way to helping them realize that representing their school and their community was well worth the effort.