seymour eagles soccer prepares for open

by lee ramsey

Lee Ramsey

Senior Chris Ballard protects the goal during a Seymour intrasqad scrimmage

published: March 01 2010 09:50 PM updated:: March 02 2010 05:06 AM

After completing a successful girls season last fall, Seymour soccer coach Drew Payne is preparing to begin his inaugural boy’s season. Coach Payne expects big things from this experienced group of returning players. With 8 seniors and 9 out of 11 starters returning, the Eagles should make a serious run for the district and region Championships. Returning seniors are Chris Ballard, Michael Mitchell, RC Gann, Jacob Lindsey, Austin Acree, Tanner Potts, Stephen Martin, and Nathan Drain.
Coach Payne explained, “We should have a pretty good team. This should be one of our stronger years at Seymour. It’s a big class with 8 seniors and 3 juniors who have been playing together for a long time since middle school and earlier. “
“This is the year to do something in the district and region. We go deep on paper. The players expect big things just like I do. Our goal is to win the district and region. If there ever was a time to do it; it’s this year. We plan to compete on a high level every year but to look on paper and to see what we have; this should be the year.”
Even though the Eagles are experienced and deep, they do face two fairly significant hurdles this spring.
One, they move into a new district in the IMAC Conference with a much tougher competition than the last several years. The league consists of Seymour, Sevier County, South-Doyle, Jefferson County, Morristown East and West, Daniel Boone, and Cock County.
Coach Payne said, “There will be much more parity in the district. Any game against any team could be a one point game. There is very little difference from top to bottom.”The other hurdle is the team adjusting to Coach Payne’s new system which is a more possession, ball control type offense, with shorter passes. Coach Payne, the 25 year old Gibbs High School graduate, seems to have everything under control with a lot of confidence in his veteran team.
The upcoming season should be very exciting. Seymour Soccer is in good hands with Coach Payne. There will be a scrimmage game at Seymour Tuesday March 2nd at 6 PM against long time rival Carter.
The opening game will be a home game on March 16th against Clinton at 7 PM.