Since he was a little boy, Rusty Tucker, ’04, was encouraged by his parents and older brother, Patrick, to play soccer. The Tucker brothers played together on the same team during Rusty’s freshman year. They had a special bond between each other and were able to communicate well with one another during games because of that bond.

Currently a team captain and forward, Tucker has been playing for 13 years, since the age of six.

“Well, what could go wrong if you put my brother and me on a team together? I love soccer and I love my brother,” Tucker said. “Pat always tried his best to set me up with as many goals as possible while we played together, so he inspired me to play.”

Talking to each other as they drove to school is one way Rusty and Pat built their relationship. They became best friends through shared moments, whether it was freezing in the car when the heater did not work or having to wipe the windows when the defroster broke down.

“When I coached both the Tuckers I saw a special bond between them,” Matt Markarian, boys’ soccer coach, said. “They had a passion and love for the game that was rare. They both showed up to the practices and the games ready to play. They were among the best soccer players our team has ever had.”

The boys’ soccer team has an opportunity to demonstrate their communication and skills against 62 varsity teams and six junior varsity teams at the Garces Tournament in Bakersfield on Dec. 19-20. They will open the event with a game versus Frazier Mountain at 10 a.m.

“Hopefully we will win the tournament,” Markarian said. “Garces will be a good opportunity for the boys to play and learn from the experience.”

In recent games, the team defeated CVC, 4-0, on Dec. 2 in a preseason game. Also for the opening of the West Sierra League soccer season, Firebaugh beat FC, 3-0, on Dec. 10

“The boys this year are young and still learning,” Markarian said. “Hopefully we can get into the playoffs, and if we do I think we will surprise people with how well we play.”

The FC soccer team will play on Dec. 18 in away match versus Caruthers starting at 3:30 p.m.

For more information about the boys’ soccer season, students and parents can contact the high school office at 297-9464, ext. 5.