Boys' soccer ready, itching to return to state

BONNERS FERRY — Badger boys’ soccer will see 17 athletes return to the team as well as the league’s MVP.

Due to athletes having commitments to the 102nd Boundary County Fair during time of reporting, athlete numbers for the boys soccer team averaged between 22 to 26 players during the first week of practice.

As of the first week of tryouts, the turnout was four freshmen, five sophomores, seven juniors and eight seniors. The seniors include Roger Naylor, goalkeeper; Isidro Perez, Seth Rice, Curtis Blevins, Braeden Blackmore, Asher Williams, Porter Schulte and Nick Eastman.

Last year, the Badgers were district runner-up and advanced to post-season play in the state tournament.

“It would be great to have a successful season in terms of our record and performance in those respects, but mainly, I would like us to develop our potential and work on communication, situational awareness, and staying calm and focused under pressure,” Head coach Paul Bonnell said.

Reflecting on last season, the team is focusing on working on control in the mid-field and communication, from the defense all the way through offense, Bonnell said.

When it comes to maintaining fitness in the off season, several athletes kept up their conditioning with summer league play and open field scrimmages.

“Some athletes trained on their own and were also present at open weight room opportunities,” he said. “We could still improve in the area of off-season training, conditioning and preparation.”

Last season, it was a highlight to have Nick Eastman as the league MVP last year as a junior, and he is returning and is focused heading into his senior year, Bonnell said.

“We were glad to go to state and learned some valuable lessons in our games there against Sugar Salem and American Falls. We hope to implement those lessons this year,” he said.

The changes in the Intermountain League with Priest River and Kellogg moving down to 2A doesn’t affect soccer competition, because 1A, 2A, and 3A are all combined. Bonnell added that he is not sure if there will be long-term impacts in subsequent years.

Bonnell said that there are many athletes he has his eye on coming into the season.

“Nick Eastman had an exceptionally strong year last year,” he said. “I can tell that he is focused and motivated going into this season as well. Senior defenders Braeden Blackmore, Porter Schulte, and Ridge Williams will pose a formidable presence in the back. It’s great to have incoming athletes with their enthusiasm and returnees who are bringing experiences from last season, whether they played at JV or varsity levels.”

This year, volunteer assistant coaches for the program include Brycen Lunger, Derek Oxford, and Zachary Reitz.

Bonnell said they bring a range of formational and situational coaching experience and expertise. All three have coached or assisted with the program in the past and are familiar with Badger soccer. He added that he and the team are grateful for their time and efforts.

In the season opener against St. Maries, the Badgers struck quickly and took advantage of the Lumberjacks being down two players. Bonnell told the Bonners Ferry Herald that they tried a different configuration with Nick Eastman playing center field.

The Badger midfielders swipe up nearly every pass and looking to score the Badgers had two shots on goal in the first three minutes. In the last fifteen minutes of the first half the Badgers scored their four goals. Two were scored by Nikita Rawson and one was scored by Nick Eastman and Jesse Dye.

Assists go to Isaac Weaver, Eli Newell and Nick Eastman.