As the seasons change, new sports begin. Last season the soccer team made the playoffs for the first time in 10 plus years.

The boys advanced to the playoffs after beating Caruthers, 4-0. Then in the first round beat Wonderful College Prep, 2-1. After battling in the next game against Mendota, the Eagles lost 2-0. Finishing with a 9-10 record the soccer team had one of its best records.

This brings hope to the soccer program and to the school of FC, that change is coming. The varsity boys hope to advance to the playoffs again this year and have a record above .500 for the first time in over a decade. If they do, it will establish their position in FC history as one of the best soccer teams ever.  

Eagles will play the Sierra Chieftains to open up the season. Our boys took care of this bunch last year, 4-0. They also have an all time record against Sierra of, 3-1.

I expect the game to be a little closer since our star goalie, Bailey Brogan, ’16, graduated. Seniors Jacob Bynum, Julian Castro, and Jarrod Markarian look to lead this group with the help of young stars like Tyler Villines, ‘18, Nathan Mount, ‘18, and Alex Rurik, ‘19.

Sierra will not go quietly into the night. They will look to make the all-time record to 3-2, as this Sierra squad is not bad. Parker Luke, ‘19, will continue his dominance, as he was the leading scorer and just a freshman last year. But like the Eagles, the Chieftains will be starting a new goalie.

Both teams need to take advantage of the young goalies and take as many shots as they can, and stop as many shots as they can. The Eagles will score first and if the defense can keep the shots on goal at a low I expect out boys winning. Since they only average a block a game with 0.8 blocks a game, we will win 2-1 with Bynum scoring the goals.

Read last week’s FC Insider: Juniors will repeat as Champions.