News & Announcements
Season Preview: MS Soccer
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The momentum of the TFS soccer program's success has generated more interest in the sport. Tallulah Falls middle school teams will open the season soon in hopes of seeing the next wave of talent that will one day be featured at the varsity level.
Lady Indians
The girls middle school team, guided by coach Laura Higbie, is coming off a 2-6-3 season in 2021 that featured many first-year players getting their bearings in the game of soccer. With a grand total of 13 goals moved up to the varsity level with the departures of Josie Chesser (6 goals), Gemma Farris (3), and Annelise Lance and Haygen James (2 each). However, the voids left are opportunities for upcoming players and returning players alike.
"We are proud to once again be fielding a stout roster size of 19 players," says Higbie. "The team is getting back some its key players that will once again lead the team."
Several of the girls will be relied upon early and often in 2022 by coach Higbie.
"I have high expectations of field players Sarah Lundy, Ryleigh Wilson, Amari Ernst, Josie Plaisted, Bailey Crumley, and Laurel Blake Kafsky," states Higbie. "These players are dependable and experienced and will be positioned on the field to lead those around them."
Kafsky and Ernst both recorded a goal last year, and many of those mentioned gained valuable experience last season. There are still some who have little experience, so this campaign for those players will be crucial to their development.
"Assistant Coach Travis Mullis and I are excited about training up several soccer newcomers this season," adds Higbie. "I’ve already seen excellent progress from Sarah Morris, Avery Keim, Ashlyn Cleveland, Haylen McGugan, Molly Rickman, and the only 6th grader on the team, Lily Gary. Our goal this season is to focus on blending the skill differences and ages into one cohesive unit that loves to play together. Learning the core of the game while working hard and promoting great team work will hopefully provide us some successes along the way."
The roster is constructed of 19 players, including 10 8th-graders, 8 7th-graders, and the lone 6th-grader. The Lady Indians are set to open the season on February 7 at Lakeview Academy, and play the first home match February 11 against Rabun County. The girls schedule consists of 6 home matches, with the season concluding on April 1.
Indians
The Indians last year were 7-1-1 under coach Chris Kafsky, who returns to guide the team once again. The team had 5 clean sheet victories last year, and lost all of their primary goal scorers. Those who moved up to the varsity level include: Clay Kafsky (10 goals), Jared Mullis (8), KC Respress (4), David Plaisted and Jacob Mitchell (2 each), and Jackson Cording and Nick Edenfield (1 each). Only Walker Wright (2 goals) returns this season among the goal scorers.
This year's team is much younger, with only 3 8th-graders on the roster including Wright. There are 8 7th-graders and 8 6th-graders.
"We are excited to have 19 players this year after the team saw 8 solid players move on to the high school ranks," says Kafsky. "Our team is young and developing. However, we do have some key returning players. I expect Wright and Kale Borchers to take leadership roles, gelling this unit and bringing our younger players along. We have good speed and an excitement to play the game and that should be a recipe for success. We will build a fun group dynamic while taking ownership of our responsibilities on the pitch and to the team. I am looking forward to spending the season building skills with these young men."
The boys open the slate on February 7 at Lakeview, and will play the home-opener February 11 against Rabun County. The boys' schedule consists of 7 matches, and concludes on March 30 at Towns County.