Boys soccer working for return trip to state
Front row from left: Preston Coon, Brandon Beckle, Cardinal Michael, Seth Bateman, Dakota Nielsen, Alex Alvarez, Caleb Peterson, Isaac Wilson, and Conner Claphan. Back row from left: Blake Copeland-Hoover, Brady Hinthorn, Michael Youngworth, Wyatt Hart, Jacob Clark, Diego Jimenez, Weston Hyer, Ben Tadlock, Ian Beazer, Thomas Mooney-Rivkin, Dalin Foster, Daniel, Walker, Jaden Clair, Ben Tompkins, Preston Mcleish, Keahi Robles, Noah Walker, Joshua Beazer, and Cody Kerstiens. Photo by MANDI BATEMAN
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN Senior Alex Alvarez is challenged by senior Preston Coon at a recent practice.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN Sophomore Dalin Foster and Jaden Clair going for a 50/50 ball.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN Sophomore Dalin Foster trying to clear the ball before Seth Bateman (in blue) can attack, while Ben Tadlock challenged Seth during the play.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN Jaden Clair racing the pack to the ball for an offensive run.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN Jaden Clair attempts a shot on freshman keeper Keahi Robles.
BONNERS FERRY — The Badger boys soccer team has taken to the field with a seriousness that shows they mean business. With more than 10 seniors, many returning players, and a hard-playing group of young freshman, they seem to be set with a competitive edge again this year.
This year’s Badgers have a tough act to follow, with Bonners Ferry winning a district title in 2017 en route to a fourth-place finish at the 3A state tournament. The Badgers’ only loss at state last fall was a hard-fought, 4-3 defeat to eventual champion Weiser.
Coach Wayne Wilkerson believes the newcomers to this year’s squad will mesh with the returning players to build on that success.
“We have a great group of freshman this year who will, without a doubt, be the foundation of future teams,” Wilkerson said. “There may be several players this season that I expect to step up and serve as team players.”
Wilkerson said that practice has gone well so far this season. They are focused on increasing endurance and honing teamwork.
“The team looks good,” said Wilkerson. “We’ll just have to wait and see what the competition is like.”
As for the upcoming season, Wilkerson is hesitant to make any predictions until they have a few more games under their belt and size up their league opponents.
“My crystal ball is in the repair shop … so my predictions are sketchy at best,” he said. “We change from season to season, and so do our opponents.”
Wilkerson is assured of one thing: “I’m confident we’ll play great ball and when we finish the game/games ... our opponents will know we came to play.”